Tag: WWE

Roman Reigns To Make Big Announcement On ABC’s GMA?

Roman Reigns / WWE Update

New promotional material for Roman Reigns’ appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America tomorrow notes that Reigns will be there to make “an announcement you can’t miss.”

Another promo for the appearance on GMA, seen below, says Reigns will go one-on-one with host Robin Roberts.

There’s no word yet on what that announcement will be but Reigns will return to WWE TV on tonight’s RAW from Atlanta to give an update on his battle with leukemia. Reigns has been away from WWE since announcing the diagnosis and relinquishing the WWE Universal Title back in October 2018.

There’s been speculation on a WWE ring return for Reigns after comments made by a personal trainer who recently worked with Reigns while he was in Hawaii. The trainer, Dave Gonyea, first noted that he had been helping Reigns prepare for his “in-ring return” while at the Island Club & Spa in the Waikiki area of Honolulu. Gonyea posted the photo below and told fans to tune into tonight’s RAW for more on the “in-ring return.”

Gonyea posted another comment to fans over the weekend and said Reigns is still recovering. He wrote, “Nah man he’s still recovering. He won’t be in action for another few months… keep in mind what leukemia is… and that he has been in remission this was a flair up that he needed treatment for. I was working out with him and he was definitely moving slow. It’s the PG era they aren’t working cancer.”

Stay tuned for updates on Reigns’ status.

Sopurce: Wrestling Inc

Backstage News On WWE’s Recent Hiring Of Bruce Prichard

Image result for Backstage News On WWE's Recent Hiring Of Bruce Prichard

Bruce Prichard is set to return to the WWE in a top, full-time position as part of the company’s creative team.

Prichard has actually been traveling with WWE and working as a backstage consultant since January of this year, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio. It is believed that the deal to advance Prichard in to his current, new role within the company was finalized this past Friday.

Apparently, the idea of bringing Prichard back to the creative team in a full-time position was first mentioned early last week. It was instantly well received and the idea gained enough momentum by the weekend that Prichard will now reportedly be Vince’s right-hand man and a “very key guy” to the creative functions in WWE.

Tonight’s WWE RAW from Atlanta, GA marks the first show that Prichard will be working directly with Vince McMahon. Already advertised for tonight’s RAW is Ric Flair’s 70th Birthday Celebration and the anticipated return of former WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.

Along with Prichard, WWE has had an influx of new hires backstage, including Steve Corino, “Hurricane” Shane Helms, Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer “Abyss” Chris Parks and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett.

Source: Wrestling Inc

Backstage News On What Led To Recent Releases In WWE

As reported earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJP, Tye Dillinger, and Hideo Itami were all released from WWE.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer went into detail about what has transpired backstage over the past couple of weeks as these releases have been taking place.

In the case of Anderson, he was reportedly fired from the company after continued conflicts with Vince McMahon. Details are scarce but something transpired at a WWE house show that evidently wasn’t handled to Vince’s liking. Anderson took full blame for the incident and was ultimately terminated from his role as a backstage producer.

Arn and Vince were said to not be on the best of terms prior to Anderson’s release. There were numerous situations over recent years where the two apparently weren’t seeing eye to eye on the different happenings within the company. Nevertheless, Arn is liked by key individuals backstage, including Triple H and John Cena. Some believe had Cena been around in a more prominent WWE role like before, perhaps it wouldn’t have escalated to the point where Anderson was released. Cena’s fondness for Anderson is shared with many other superstars that have competed in WWE over the years.

Meltzer added that he sometimes caught wind of performers speaking out about what they believed was a poorly made creative decision, and Anderson would actually support the talent’s objection, possibly causing conflict.

He also mentioned that some people feel like Anderson may flourish as a producer over in AEW. From the side of AEW, there have only been positive things said about Anderson’s work, and Arn is reportedly not too broken up about being let go from WWE.

Overall, WWE is making it a point not to fire anyone, so it apparently surprised a lot of people backstage when Anderson and TJP were let go from the company. TJP’s release in particular is said to be for disciplinary reasons, and WWE felt like parting ways with TJP is something that was needed to be done. A lack of creative ideas for TJP wasn’t a deciding factor in his departure because even the WWE superstars that haven’t been given much creative material as of late are being held to their contractual obligations.

The obvious exceptions come in the form of Tye Dillinger and Hideo Itami, who were also confirmed as being released from WWE earlier this week. We noted back in late January that Itami had asked for his release from WWE as a result of his frustration with how he was being used in the company.

Along with the releases, Bruce Prichard, Steve Corino, “Hurricane” Shane Helms, Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer “Abyss” Chris Parks and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett have all started as backstage producers for the company.

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of TJP

Image result for WWE Announces Release Of TJP

Add 205 Live Superstar TJP to the list of talents released by WWE today.

Below is the announcement issued by WWE today:

TJP releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP).

WWE did not wish the best to TJP in his future endeavors. The same went with the earlier announcement on the release of Hideo Itami, and the release of Tye Dillinger.

TJP was actually released by the company, according to PWInsider and their multiple sources. TJP’s departure was not a situation where he asked for his release and then was granted one, similar to Itami and Dillinger.

The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has made two social media posts since his release was announced. We noted before how he thanked WWE for giving him the chance and letting him play for “the team I grew up watching” on Twitter. He also took to Instagram this evening and posted a quote from WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.

The quote from Inoki, seen below, reads like this: “The Road: What awaits ahead if I choose this road? Don’t be afraid, or there will be no road. Take one step, for it will start a road and it will become the road. Go on without hesitation. And you will find your destination.”

TJP actually began training at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Los Angeles back in 2003, under Inoki.

https://twitter.com/MegaTJP/status/1099034347460390912

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of Hideo Itami

Related image

WWE has announced that 205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami is no longer with the company.

Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:

Hideo Itami releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).

WWE did not wish Itami the best in his future endeavors. As noted, WWE announced the release of Tye Dillinger today and he was not wished the best either.

We noted back in late January that Itami had requested his release following the loss to Akira Tozawa on the January 29 edition of 205 Live. It was reported then that Itami was not happy with how he was being used in WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of Tye Dillinger

Image result for WWE Announces Release Of Tye Dillinger

WWE has announced that Tye Dillinger is no longer with the company.

Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:

Tye Dillinger releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Ron Arneill (Tye Dillinger).

As we noted on Tuesday, Dillinger took to Twitter after the SmackDown tapings in New Orleans and revealed that he had requested his release from the company. You can see his statement to fans from Tuesday below:

“Before rumors begin to spread, let me set things straight ahead of time: This evening, I requested my release from WWE. In the past 5 and a half years with them, I have seen and done some wonderful things. Things that I am very proud of and will never forget. I have met and worked with unquestionably, some of the greatest talent on this earth and the pleasure has been all mine. I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself. To the male and female locker rooms, coaches and producers, to the production/ring crew, all the way up to the very top of WWE and most of all the fans…I wish you all the very best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”

Source: Wrestling Inc

Rumored Names For 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame

The Wrestle Votes Twitter account, which has broken news stories in the past, reports that The Hart Foundation (Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Jimmy Hart, Bret Hart), Tazz and The Honky Tonk Man are being considered for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. They would join D-Generation X if the rumor is true.

Tazz would also be one of the first big names from ECW to get inducted, as WWE has relied mostly on their own history and WCW in the past.

https://twitter.com/WrestleVotes/status/1098962673436409856

Source: 411 Mania 

Report: WWE Releases Arn Anderson

Arn Anderson Parts Ways With WWE

Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that WWE Hall Of Famer Arn Anderson of the Four Horsemen faction, and longtime behing-the-scenes producer / agent for has been released from the company.

According to the report, Anderson “exited the company on Thursday.”

It is unclear at this point why Anderson, who has worked for WWE since 2001, has departed from the company.

Anderson retired from in-ring competition in 1997 due to neck and back injuries, but still got in the ring for the occasional tag match or bump. Anderson has been a road agent with WWE since WCW folded in 2001. He occasionally appeared in backstage segments over the years, whether that was to offer advice to young superstars or participate in small comedic segments.

One of the original members of the Four Horsemen, “The Enforcer” is a multi-time tag team champion, winning titles with the then-WWF, WCW and NWA.

Although not confirmed, the influx of new road agents like Abyss, Gregory Helms and Daivari may have been a factor in WWE and him parting ways. This news comes just a few days before Ric Flair’s birthday celebration on RAW.

Matt Hardy Comments On WWE Contract Ending Very Soon

Last August, Matt Hardy’s wife, Reby Hardy appeared on Busted Open and spoke about her husband, who was going through a transitional period at the time where he was stepping away from the ring to rehabilitate his back and hip. She also noted his WWE contract would be up in March of this year.

“Matt is good. Matt is right now going through a bit of a transitional period,” Hardy said. “He’s not really sure what he’s going to be doing. His contract is up in March, which I’m not sure many people are aware of. But there’s sort of a decision to be made at this point as to whether or not he should continue his in-ring career or if he should pursue something different, which he would totally be up for and would be excited to do, I feel like.”

Earlier today, Hardy tweeted out photos from 2014 when he held titles in two different indie promotions and wrote how he felt “comfortable” working outside of WWE.

“#TBT 2014 As both the MCW Wrestling & Extreme Rising Champion, whilst working dozens of territories. I’ve always felt comfortable outside of the WWE.”

https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1098653768428642304

Hardy would respond to an individual who said that will probably be a tweet he’ll be forced to delete. The WWE Superstar replied it was quite the opposite and noted he has 11 days left on his WWE contract.

“Not a threat at all, just a fact. I have 11 days left on my current deal. I love WWE, but I’m 100% comfortable being outside the walls of pro wrestling’s ‘Alexandria’ Safe-Zone. I’m a born survivalist. My previous tweet will nevah face deletion.”

https://twitter.com/jeremy_vaeni/status/1098654878182719488

https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1098658248415035393

Last month, Hardy noted he was “physically greenlit” to return to the ring.

Roman Reigns Returning To RAW This Monday With Leukemia Update

Roman Reigns / WWE Update

WWE announced that Roman Reigns will be appearing on this upcoming Monday night’s episode of WWE RAW.

WWE.com posted the following:

Roman Reigns returns to Raw this Monday with an update on his battle with leukemia

Last October, Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) revealed to the WWE Universe that he would be stepping away from WWE — and relinquishing the Universal Championship — to focus on his battle with leukemia, an illness that had returned 11 years after his initial diagnosis.

On Monday, The Big Dog returns to provide an update on his treatment, live in Atlanta.

What will Reigns have to say to the WWE Universe, more than four months after his last appearance on the red brand?

Don’t miss Roman Reigns’ anticipated return to WWE television on Raw Monday night, beginning at 8/7 C on USA Network.

Tuesday morning, Reigns will be appearing on the popular morning talk show, “Good Morning America,” live in Times Square in New York City.