AAA’s La Parka has passed away due to injuries sustained during a match last fall. Real name Jesus Huerta Escoboza, he is the second luchador to use the La Parka name. The La Parka from WCW and now MLW is currently using the name LA Park.
Escoboza was injured during a match with Rush in Monterrey in the fall. He missed a suicide dive and hit his head on the guardrail. He was paralyzed and taken to hospital due to his injuries. Although he survived surgery after the incident, he never fully recovered and died yesterday.
Lucha Libre website, Lucha Blog, has been providing updates.
AAA's La Parka passed away tonight. He was 56. He suffered serious injuries on a dive at the end of November and never recovered.
La Parka is one of the bigger recent stars in Mexican wrestling, the symbol of AAA. He is not the La Parka who wrestled in WCW and is now LA Park. pic.twitter.com/HiBICfYHri
“When La Parka suffered the injury, people close to the situation believed Parka would not last thru that night. He kept fighting for two more months,” a follow-up Tweet stated.
posted before seeing AAA's statement. Parka died of lungs and kidney failure. pic.twitter.com/Rn9qVnI0XI
The National Wrestling Alliance sent out the following in regard to the news:
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies to the friends, family and fans of the wrestling legend La Parka. pic.twitter.com/6QKncM0NlE
Tommy Dreamer noted he had the chance to wrestle La Park in Mexico:
I had the opportunity to wrestle La Parka in Mexico City Very sad news in professional wrestling Prayers for strength for his family pic.twitter.com/Vqml49psVG
This are terrible news. My heart goes to his family and friends??? This are the dangers of wrestling. La Parka died doing something that he love and he risked everything for it. Respect our sport. THERE IS NOTHING FAKE ABOUT IT! #RIPLaparkahttps://t.co/k0tS6RbfUK
WWE Superstar Mansoor won the 50-man battle royal at Super ShowDown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last summer. He followed the win up by defeating Cesaro at Crown Jewel on October 31st, 2019. He spoke with Sports 360 recently and stated that his next goal is to win a WWE title on a show from Saudi Arabia.
“My primary goal right now is to win a championship in Saudi Arabia. I would really love to share that moment with the crowd. For a Saudi wrestler to win a title on home soil would be truly special,” Mansoor said.
On Crown Jewel and SuperShowDown In 2019
Mansoor would also comment on the experience of winning the battle royal at Super ShowDown.
“Not only did I win the match and make my family, who were in the front row, very proud, but I got to show what I can really do in the ring. People started to look at me differently after that match so it was something really special.”
Mansoor also spoke about WWE legends coming up to him after the match.
“Some true WWE legends, such as Hulk Hogan and Ric Fair, were also involved that night and to speak to them and listen to their advice afterwards was absolutely fantastic for me because there is a long way to go in my journey.”
Mansoor defeated Cesaro in single’s competition the last time WWE was in Saudi Arabia. He spoke to Sports 360 about the experience.
“Cesaro is such a talented wrestler so to fight him on the big stage was incredible, it could have gone a number of ways but luckily I won which was the dream outcome,” he said.
Finally, Mansoor spoke about how WWE’s events in the region are helping a generation of fans get to see the action live.
“It’s great that the thousands of WWE fans across the Middle East are now being given opportunities to watch their heroes perform live in the region because when I was younger that was never the case,” Mansoor said.
Tama Tonga and Bullet Club are throwing a beach party over WrestleMania weekend. It will be the second straight Mania weekend with Bullet Club hosting an event. To promote the event, Bullet Cub original member Tama Tonga spoke with Sports Illustrated.
“This is a celebration,” Tonga said. “It’s a celebration of wrestling, it’s a celebration of Bullet Club, and it’s a celebration of New Japan Pro Wrestling.”
Last year’s Bullet Club event was a block party. With WrestleMania in Florida this year, however, this year’s event will be on the beach.
“This time we’re doing it on the beach, in Tampa, my home state,” said Tonga. “I want to knock it out of the park, and I’m looking forward to the party.”
Tonga also spoke about having enjoyed the event last year and being motivated to throw a similar style event in 2020.
“It was a very positive atmosphere last year, and it resonated with me how much fun the fans were having and how much fun I was having, too,” said Tonga. “We got to feel the fans’ love for Bullet Club and New Japan. The process was really, really fun, and that’s why we’re doing a second one—to recreate that energy.”
The Bullet Club Beach Party will take place on April 4th, 2020. More information about what fans can expect from the event can be found here.
Alicia Atout has been confirmed as the host for the event once again this year.
Tonga and his brother Tanga Loa dropped the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships to Juice Robinson and David Finlay recently at Wrestle Kingdom. He spoke to Sports Illustrated about the match and more. The full interview with Tonga can be viewed here.
Bandido has re-signed with Ring of Honor. News of the popular luchador’s new agreement with the promotion was announced recently through ROH’s social media channels.
No details on the terms or length of the contract have been released.
Wrestling Superstar @bandidowrestler Has Officially Signed A New Contract With ROH!
Ring Of Honor Wrestling Takes Great Pride In Signing And Developing Top Wrestling Stars From Around The World And We Are Very Proud To Have Bandido On Our Roster! #ROH ? pic.twitter.com/QugXUtzPvn
24-year-old Bandido was ranked the 81st top single’s record of 2019 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated last year. He is currently the Heavyweight Champion for the Crash promotion in Mexico. Bandido is also the current PWG Heavyweight champion and won the Battle of Los Angeles last year.
Daniel Bryan Says Bandido Would Have Succeeded In WWE
Last summer, Daniel Bryan expressed wanting Bandido in WWE during an interview with Super Luchas.
“I could say: ‘Wait a minute, I want Negro Casas in WWE’ or something because I love Blue Panther, I love Negro Casas,” Bryan said when discussing what luchadors would work in WWE. “The first time I saw a fight of his was about 1987, but he is amazing. In 2019 he is still impressive. Then I have a lot of respect for them, but thinking about who could do it now in WWE, I could tell someone like Rush. I think Bandido would do it big; also, Dragon Lee could succeed.”
Posted January 11th, 2020 in News, ROH. Tagged: Bandido.
Matt Hardy has released a new episode of “Free the Delete.” The episode was released the same day news about Hardy’s contract situation with WWE was released through the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Hardy is expected to leave WWE in March. Evidently, WWE’s lack of interest in bringing back his “Broken” persona has played a role in this.
In Hardy’s latest video, he learns the fate of “Zenith” which is the essence that lives inside his vessel.
Hardy concludes the video by saying he will get his “Broken Brilliance” back.
“In “FREE THE DELETE” Episode 7, Matt learns the dark fate of ZENITH, the ESSENCE housed inside his VESSEL. This devastating news leaves Matt in a state of LIMBO. A gathering of family and friends occurs in the #HouseHardy Starcade Arcade, with hopes it will help Matt overcome his disappointment and depression,” a description of the video reads.
Matt Hardy Leaving WWE?
“Matt Hardy is expected to leave WWE in March,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The report would continue to speculate about what his role could be if he left WWE for AEW.
“Hardy is the leading speculated name for the leader of the Dark Order since they just started teasing a leader and Hardy just started putting out the videos,” Meltzer continued.
Kris Statlander quickly shot up the rankings in AEW’s women’s division. She dropped a title match to Riho on the most recent edition of Dynamite, however. Statlander recently took part in an interview with Alicia Atout and spoke about signing with AEW.
“There’s a lot of thoughts going through my mind because the whole thing with WWE was interested in me also,” Statlander said. “There’s a lot of stress with me because I didn’t know what I was going to do, I didn’t know what was the right choice.”
“You would think it’s a dream come true for anybody to be offered a contract but for me getting signed was never a legit goal of mine in wrestling,” she continued. Statlander would continue to say she was nervous and stressed about the decision but everything has worked out great in AEW so far.
“I am thoroughly enjoying all my time I’ve been with AEW and all the opportunities they have given me so far and I have no regrets about it,” Statlander stated.
Ring of Honor is said to have tabled a substantial offer to Marty Scurll recently. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Scurll is being offered “WWE main roster” money to work only 40 days per year with ROH.
“We had heard Scurll was being offered a better deal than the one Matt Taven signed for,” wrote Dave Meltzer. Taven is reported to have received an offer from ROH worth double what NXT wrestlers in WWE make.
“We don’t have it confirmed that he signed it,” Meltzer wrote of Scurll’s contract offer. “It’s a great deal as it’s basically WWE main roster money while only working maybe 40 dates per year for ROH and certain unique perks.”
ROH is advertising Scurll for their February 9th, 2020 free show “Free Enterprise.”
“Marty is going to do what Marty is going to do,” Cody said recently to Talk Sport. “We all love Marty. Anything he does in the next few weeks or months, I wouldn’t look at as permanent for him. He’s very much testing the waters here and there and that’s pretty much all I can say on Marty.”
AEW has booked a 4-way tag team #1 contenders match for its special “Bash at the Beach” episode next week. The show will emanate from the WATSCO Center on the campus of the University of Miami.
The Young Bucks, Trent & Chuck Taylor, Hangman Page & Kenny Omega, and Santana & Ortiz will all square off with the winner to earn a tag team title shot.
AEW Tag Team Champions Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky will meet the winners at a date to be determined later.
The tag team #1 contenders match just booked is the 5th match scheduled for next week’s event. The matches officially confirmed for the show are as follows:
Sammy Guevara vs Jon Moxley
AEW Tag Team Titles #1 Contender Match: The Young Bucks vs Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs The Best Friends vs Proud and Powerful
PAC vs Darby Allin
Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes, & QT Marshall vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman, The Butcher & the Blade w/the Bunny
Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs Awesome Kong & Mel (the Nightmare Collective) w/Brandi Rhodes
Kenny Omega’s last match with New Japan Pro Wrestling took place at Wrestle Kingdom 13. On that night, he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Omega would officially leave the promotion after signing with All Elite Wrestling in early 2019. New details have surfaced regarding what Omega’s role at Wrestle Kingdom 14 would have been had Omega continued with NJPW.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Omega was originally supposed to defeat Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome at WK13. He was then to take on Kazuchika Okada in the main event of the G1 Supercard from Madison Square Garden. After that, Omega would have been in the “Double Gold Dash” tournament on this year’s Wrestle Kingdom card.
“Originally, Omega was to retain the IWGP title against Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome and then lead to a match with Okada, their first ever meeting in the U.S., for Madison Square Garden,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
The plan was then for Omega to be 1 of the 4 competitors in the “Double Gold Dash” tournament over Wrestle Kingdom this year.
“The Tokyo Dome final four booking plan with both the IWGP and IC belts at stake was to be Omega vs. Ibushi and Okada vs. Naito,” Meltzer continued.
Kenny Omega vs Kazuchika Okada Head-To-Head
Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada the last time they wrestled which was on the Dominion show in 2018. Okada defeated Omega in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 11. The two went to a time-limit draw at Dominion in 2017. Omega would defeat Okada in the G1 that summer. All told, Omega leads the head-to-head series 2-1-1.
After having been gone from the organization for over 12 years at this point, Bret Hart returned to WWE in early 2010. Hart had previously been inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame in 2005 but made his official return to the company on the January 4th, 2010 edition of RAW. It was the same edition of RAW that TNA Wrestling first went head-to-head with during a short-lived attempt at bringing back the Monday Night Wars.
Jim Ross spoke about Hart’s return to the company in 2010 on a recent episode of his podcast with Conrad Thompson.
“I was happy. Anytime you can spend quality time with Bret Hart, you are better off for it,” Jim Ross said on the show.
“I’m shocked that somebody isn’t using Bret to help coach, teach, motivate young talents,” he continued. “He’s brilliant, brilliant mind. Great worker, one of the best I ever saw in my entire life.”
Did TNA’s Move To Monday Nights Lead To Bret’s Return?
Thompson asked Ross if TNA’s move to Monday nights played a role in when Hart made his return.
“It might have had something to do with it,” Ross said. He’d then talk about what it meant to have Hart back in the company.
“Getting Bret back in our brand is where the money was,” Ross stressed. “Battling TNA was like they had knives and we had guns and they were never going to win.”
“It could have had an influence. Did it? probably not,” Ross continued regarding if TNA’s move to Monday nights influenced the decision to bring Bret back.
“Bret was such a part of the fabric of the company and it seemed like it righted a lot of wrongs for him to get his jersey back.”
Matt Hardy may be leaving WWE in the coming months. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Hardy is expected to leave the company when his contract comes up in March. WWE’s lack of interest in bringing back his “Broken” persona is reported to have played a role in his decision.
“Matt Hardy is expected to leave WWE in March,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
The report would continue to say that Hardy produced several “Free the Delete” videos in order to build anticipation for the character’s return but WWE evidently was not interested.
The report would continue to offer speculation that Hardy could portray the leader of the Dark Order in AEW.
“Hardy is the leading speculated name for the leader of the Dark Order since they just started teasing a leader and Hardy just started putting out the videos,” Meltzer continued.
Matt and his brother Jeff returned to WWE at WrestleMania 33. They won the RAW tag team titles that night in a ladder match. Jeff Hardy’s contract with the company is believed to have had additional time added to it due to injuries.
The January 15th, 2020 edition of AEW Dynamite is being branded as “Bash at the Beach.” The show from Miami has borrowed its name from a WCW PPV that ran from 1994 to 2000.
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff recently addressed AEW’s use of the Bash at the Beach name on a recent edition of his podcast.
“My first reaction was ‘that’s great!’ because it’s such a great, you know, it’s got such great history,” Bischoff said. “It’s a legacy within the wrestling community. When you say Bash at the Beach everyone knows what that is. Hulk Hogan turning heel – Bash at the Beach. So many things happened at Bash at the Beach. It was one of WCW’s tentpole PPVs and there was a lot of brand equity in that PPV brand. I was excited that somebody had the foresight to say ‘hey, this is available, take that!'”
Bischoff would continue to say that AEW needs to be its own brand, however.
“As long as they are doing enough other things to differentiate themselves, to truly present something that the audience recognizes as a real alternative and not kind of, sort of an alternative.”
“I would caution them to not do too many WCW legacy PPVs,” Bischoff continued.
He would continue to talk about how AEW does a great job of providing unique interviews and promos.
“They need to create their own unique, really cool branded events,” he continued.
Bischoff’s comments on AEW using the Bash at the Beach name can be heard in the player below:
Impact Wrestling was back in their usual timeslot on Tuesday nights this week. This week’s show was the go-home edition for Sunday’s Hard to Kill PPV.
The show was headlined by Moose & Rob Van Dam teaming up against Brian Cage and Rhino. Impact this week would also feature a special look at the Hard to Kill main event of Sami Callihan vs Tessa Blanchard.
Impact Wrestling Results (Jan. 7)
Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Edwards
the Desi Hit Squad defeated TJP, Fallah Bah & Daga
One of the biggest world championship matches in Impact Wrestling’s recent history takes place Sunday at Hard to Kill. Blanchard debuted with Impact Wrestling in the spring of 2018 and has steadily risen up the rankings ever since. Hard to Kill will be the 3rd time Callihan and Blanchard have met on Impact Wrestling. Callihan has won the first two.
At Hard to Kill, both ODB and Jordynne Grace have a chance to win Knockouts gold from Taya Valkyrie in a triple threat match. This week on Impact, ODB stole the pin on Taya away from Jordynne Grace. After Grace had delivered a second-rope Avalanche drop to the champion she was thrown out of the ring by ODB who then got the pin on Taya herself.
If OBD does the same thing on Sunday, she’ll walk away as the new Knockouts Champion.
Brian Cage & Rhino Defeat Rob Van Dam & Moose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyCQM-2eZRI
The night’s main event previewed 2 upcoming matches on Sunday’s PPV. Brian Cage will face Rob Van Dam in a dream match and Rhino and Moose will go one-on-one as well.
Rob Van Dam appears to be no longer doing his more popular moves as he does not want to give the fans what they want. He acted as though he was going to deliver Rolling Thunder at one point but then decided against it. Moose, however, attempted his own 5-star frog splash during the match, missed, and was promptly Gored by Rhino. Cage then hit Moose with a clothesline and pinned him to pick up the win for his team.
Havok Beats Rosemary As James Mitchell Continues To Manipulate “Suzie”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HXI6g_X5gM
Father James Mitchell has been shown in backstage vignettes recently along with “Suzie” who appears to be the memory-restricted Su Yung. Rosemary has been attempting to stop Mitchell from continuing his association with Suzie.
This week on Impact, Mitchell locked Suzie in a closet while he accompanied Havok to the ring for her match against Rosemary. Suzie wandered to the ring during the match, however, prompting Mitchell to attempt to cover her ears and eyes. This distracted Rosemary who was then put in a tombstone piledriver by Havok for the win.
Swinger was shown backstage this week attempting to put Somas in Joey Ryan’s water bottle. Swinger was caught in the act by Tommy Dreamer and attempted to lie his way out of it. He told Dreamer it was his water bottle and he was just putting his medication in his water. Dreamer asked Swinger to drink the water to prove there was nothing too terrible in there but Swinger was reluctant. Dreamer then showed Swinger a kendo stick and Swinger took a big gulp from the Soma-infused water.
Later in the show, Swinger was shown passed out backstage. Joey Ryan and Petey Williams then debated drawing on his face with a sharpie. Swinger and Ryan will face each other next week in single’s action.
Michael Elgin and Eddie Edwards Don’t Wait Until Hard to Kill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt9pq1m0S7E
The show opened up this week with a brawl already in progress ringside between Eddie Edwards and Michael Elgin. Edwards said they don’t have to wait until Hard to Kill and an impromptu match between the two was booked.
Elgin would win the match with an Elgin bomb but these two will square off once again when Impact presents Hard to Kill on Sunday. The stipulations will be bigger on Sunday as well. Later in the show, Josh Matthews revealed that when Elgin and Edwards meet on the PPV, Edwards’ “Call Your Shot” trophy will be on the line.
The Desi Hit Squad defeated TJP, Fallah Bah & Daga
TJP and Fallah Bah joined forces with Daga this week in trios action against all 3 members of the Desi Hit Squad. Callis noted on commentary how well the Desi Hit Squad worked together under the guidance of the Great Gama Singh. Teamwork may have helped the faction but in the end, it was the brute strength of MahabaliShera who would win the match with a power-bomb on TJP.
Hard To Kill On Sunday
#HardToKill isn't just based on our company history.
Our commitment to giving you the best wrestling in the world is Hard To Kill.
This Sunday we plan to deliver AGAIN on PPV in Dallas.
Tonight, when AEW Dynamite airs from the Landers Center in Southaven, MS, a tribute to the legends of Memphis wrestling will take place. The Young Bucks spoke with The Commercial Appeal recently about their plans to honor some of wrestling’s greats from the area.
“I think the idea is Tony (Khan) wanted to do a 10-bell salute for all of the fallen brothers,” said Matt Jackson.
The following legends will be honored tonight on Dynamite:
Angelo Poffo & Randy Savage
Lance Russell
“Hot Stuff” Eddie & Tommy Gilbert
Brian Christopher
Austin Idol
Dave Brown
The Rock & Roll Express
“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant
“It would have been great to have ‘The King,’ but obviously he’s working elsewhere,” Matt Jackson continued.
All Elite Wrestling announced a small change to the release schedule for its rankings. New rankings will now be released every Wednesday morning. The promotion has announced its first new rankings for 2020 today.
AEW Rankings (Men’s Single’s Division)
Le Champion: Chris Jericho
Jon Moxley (1-0)
Cody (1-0) (+1)
Kenny Omega (0-0) (-1)
PAC (0-0) (-1)
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (0-0)
In the men’s single’s division, Cody and Jon Moxley both picked up single’s victories this week. Cody’s win over Darby Allin pushed him ahead of Omega and PAC who wrestled in trios action in the main event last week.
Moxley’s win over Trent this week helped him retain his ranking.
Statlander wasn’t at Dynamite this week but will face Riho for the championship tonight. Taking the pin in the 4-way championship match last week dropped Britt Baker 3 spots in the rankings. Awesome Kong picked up a win on Dark which also put her ahead of Baker.
WWE ice cream bars are finally returning. They are coming back in a different shape but with the same design and look as they had previously.
For over 20 years Good Humor marketed WWE-themed ice cream bars until they were discontinued in 2009. In 2011, CM Punk lobbied on WWE programming for the bars to be brought back. Now some 8 years after Punk’s pleas for their return, WWE ice cream bars are being brought back but in the form of stickless cookie sandwiches.
Good Humor now has the new WWE Super Stars ice cream sandwiches listed on their website here.
Punk gave an interview to WWE.com shortly after his comments about ice cream bars struck a chord with WWE fans.
“I want the freakin’ ice cream bars back! I’m still working on that. But in the meantime, I’m going to keep shoving it down people’s throats. Because everyone likes ice cream, which goes in your mouth and then goes down your throat.
“You know what? There are other ice cream companies out there. Good Humor, we’re giving you a gift. We’re giving you an option here, and if you don’t want to take it, we will sell our wares elsewhere.”
In 2011, CM Punk commented further on wanting WWE to bring back the ice cream bars in an interview with Red Eye Chicago.
“I really am hoping that does happen. A lot of people don’t realize that when I mouthed off about the ice-cream bars they wanted them the next day. It’s a licensing issue, and we are working with the proper people to bring them back. We want them back by the “ice-cream season,” as you can say, so next summer is a good possibility. Although I don’t think there is a day where I wouldn’t go without eating ice-cream.”
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard are former WWF Tag Team Champions as the Brain Busters in WWE. They didn’t last long in the promotion, however. Anderson recently discussed what led to his departure from WWE in 1989 on an episode of “the Arn Show” with Conrad Thompson.
“(Vince McMahon) said ‘Guys, I don’t have guaranteed contracts but my word is good and I guarantee you guys will make more than you made with Crockett,” Anderson said of his meetings with Vince before signing with the company in 1988.
“We got to wrestle all the top teams and everything was going good until we checked the figures and in the fiscal year we were about 50 grand behind at about the 8-month mark,” he continued.
Anderson continued to say they asked for a meeting with Vince to discuss their finances. At the meeting, they asked Vince to cut them a cheque to bring them even with what they would have been making with Crockett over those 8 months.
“We said if you can’t do that, we’d like to put our notice in,” Anderson said.
Vince said he wouldn’t cut them a cheque but gave them his word he would make it up to them. Anderson and Blanchard instead gave him 3-months notice.
Blanchard would be suspended for a failed drug test shortly after. Anderson also discussed Blanchard’s 1989 departure from WWE on an episode of his podcast recently.
Anderson would then continue to say that during Blanchard’s suspension, his money almost doubled and he did end up making the kind of money Vince originally promised. He would continue to say he believes this was Vince McMahon’s way of sending a message to him that he should trust him.
Anderson’s comments can be heard in the player mode:
Last night on WWE RAW, Big Show made his return to the ring for the first time in over a year. Show wrestled in the 6-man tag team main event last night along with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe against Seth Rollins and the AOP. It was Show’s first match since November 20th, 2018. On that show, he teamed with the Bar to take on all 3 members of New Day on Smackdown.
WWE.com correspondents caught up with Big Show backstage from RAW last night.
“Tonight was amazing,” Show said backstage. “After going through 5 hip surgeries in a year and a half, to be able to take a phone call from a friend, a peer in the business, to come out in front of this incredible crowd tonight and get back in the ring after almost a year and a half and be competitive, I’m just extremely humbled and grateful.”
Show continued to say he’s been tested in the last year and a half like he’s never been tested before.
“They say what doesn’t break you makes you stronger,” Show continued. “I think my faith in my career, my faith in myself, and faith in this business was tested these last 2 years like it’s never been tested before. I’m just extremely grateful for the fans and we’ll see what happens next week.”
Big Show’s comments can be heard in the player below:
Ruby Riott hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since April and hasn’t wrestled a match since a house show in Cardiff, Wales back in May. The 28-year-old has been on the shelf ever since undergoing shoulder surgery on both her left and right shoulders.
According to a recent report from PW Insider, however, Ruby was spotted at the WWE Performance Center recently. It is believed Ruby was at the center in order for WWE doctors to monitor her progress.
Upon undergoing the two shoulder surgeries this spring, it was initially reported Ruby could be back by early 2020 but there is no update on how she is progressing.
Since she has been on the shelf, WWE has split up the Riott squad with Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan’s storylines not intersecting on Raw. This week on the show, Logan antagonized Charlotte Flair before a match between the two could begin. Logan attacked Flair before the bell and threw her robe on the ground.
The other Riott Squad member Liv Morgan interrupted the rather eventful wedding between Bobby Lashley and Lana last week. Morgan is scheduled to be in Rusev’s corner for a singles match against Bobby Lashley next week.
UFC President Dana White once famously said fans would never see women in the UFC. Then Ronda Rousey changed everything. Rousey recently published a video on her YouTube channel of her telling D-Von Dudley just how WWE influenced her during her UFC career.
“I wanted to make women’s MMA take off and I was looking at what the women’s fights didn’t have that the men’s had,” Rousey said in the video. “Because women could have exciting fights but nobody gave a s**t and I was trying to figure out why nobody gave a s**t.”
Rousey then used pro-wrestling terminology to illustrate why she felt nobody cared about women’s MMA at the time.
“It was because everyone was babyface,” Rousey said. “And there was no story and so I was like ‘all these girls need is a real heel.'”
D-Von then asked Rousey if the persona she was portraying at the time was influenced by pro-wrestling.
“100%,” Rousey said. “I was basically doing an impression of Roddy Piper with an impression of the Diaz brothers.”
D-Von then asked Rousey if not shaking Meisha Tate’s hand after their second fight was part of her building storylines in women’s MMA.
“No,” Rousey responded. “I started it just as a persona then she started making it personal so I was like ‘f**k that b**ch.'”
Rousey’s latest video can be viewed in the player below:
Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks recently took part in an interview with The Commercial Appeal and spoke about AEW’s approach to long-term booking. During the interview, it was stressed that AEW’s success shouldn’t be measured on a week-to-week basis.
“We want long-term, nuanced stories, and sometimes you have to struggle and suffer a little bit to get to the climax of the story,” Matt Jackson said. “Wrestling fans are just so used to getting exactly what they need at the snap of a finger now.”
The brothers also spoke about their run in TNA Wrestling during the interview.
“I think at the time, there was not a big picture plan,” Matt Jackson said. “We really loved wrestling, and we wanted to support ourselves and our families through wrestling. Whether that meant (wrestling in) TNA, Japan or WWE, it didn’t matter.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B68p7HEDBkx/
The Bucks would then stress they knew something good was waiting for them in wrestling if they just stuck with it.
“I knew working hard would get us somewhere, but I couldn’t tell you we’d be doing what we’d be doing now — it’s surreal,” Nick Jackson said.
“If we stay healthy and the company keeps going and going, then it’s a better future for all of wrestling,” Nick Jackson said.
The full interview with the Commercial Appeal can be read here.
King Corbin recently gave an interview to the Kansas City Chiefs website “Chiefs Wire.” During the conversation, Corbin stated that The Undertaker is the WWE legend who has influenced him the most.
“Undertaker is someone I looked up to for his physicality and the mentality, so he’s a guy I grab onto every time he’s around, and he seems very willing to help. And not a lot of guys want to give out secrets, but he helps in how I think about putting things together, and he’s really played a significant role helping me find success and fame,” Corbin said.
Corbin also mentioned Triple H as someone who has had an influence on his career.
“(Triple H) has been hands-on with me since day one, and he’s always interested in what I’m doing and how I’m doing and how I can evolve, so those guys have played major roles in helping me grow.”
King Corbin on Comparisons Between WWE and the NFL
Corbin also stated during the interview that he believes he’s earned all the stripes in WWE and that the next logical step for him is a world championship run.
“I want to get my hands on that WWE championship,” Corbin said. “I think that’s the next step and logical step for me. I’ve earned all these stripes, so it’s time to put some gold around my waist.”
Corbin also spoke about the similarities between trying to crack the WWE roster and trying to crack the roster of an NFL team.
“I think the mentality you get when you try to make the NFL is a long, hard enough road that thousands of college football players are trying to get to the NFL,” Corbin said.
The wedding officiant who presided over Lana and Bobby Lashley’s wedding last week on RAW was back this week as well. Since Rusev interrupted Lana and Lashley’s nuptials last week, the officiant was back to quickly pronounce them man and wife this week. Evidently, nobody informed the security of this.
In between segments, as the officiant entered the ring for the segment security mistook him for an invading fan and tackled him in the ring.
Fans captured the incident and have been posting it online.
Both Lana and Bobby Lashley have spoken out publicly about the angle.
“Don’t assume someone’s sexuality,” Lana wrote on Twitter. “Just because they are not outspoken in the LGTBQ community doesn’t mean that they’re not pansexual, bisexual, gay, transgender or trying to process their sexuality,” she began. “Even if they are married. For many it’s complicated. Please have compassion.”
Lashley spoke with Sports Illustrated about the angle.
“Yes, I’ve experienced a tremendous amount of hate. We as a society come out and we’re anti-bullying, anti-hate, anti-this, anti-that. I think we actually pick and choose who we hate and bully,” Lashley said in the interview.
Rey Mysterio was forced to unmask in WCW after losing a tag match along with Konnan to the Outsiders at SuperBrawl 9. Had Konnan and Rey Mysterio won, Miss Elizabeth would have lost her hair.
On a recent episode of his “Keepin it 100” podcast, Konnan discussed the angle, what led to it, and his opinion of Mysterio being unmasked in WCW.
“I thought it was stupid and not only that it wasn’t even Nash’s hair, it was Miss Elizabeth’s hair,” Konnan said on the show. “It was just stupid, bro.”
He would continue to talk about what led to Mysterio being unmasked.
“At the end of the day, I think Scott Hall had told them ‘hey, Rey Mysterio is a good looking guy what do you need a mask for?'”
Disco Inferno then chimed in on the subject.
“Eric usually acted on the last thing that he heard. You know, so whoever had Eric’s ear last, that’s what we would do.”
Konnan would continue to say it was a hotly debated issue backstage.
“We got into humungous fights about this. At the end it was more (Bischoff) was just kind of ‘well, f**k it. I decided we are going to do it and that’s all there is to it,” Konnan said.
Konnan’s comments can be heard in the player below:
Ring of Honor has just announced plans to throw a free event on February 9th, 2020 at the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The show will be titled “Free Enterprise” and is being run in conjunction with the #ROHCares initiative.
ROH has come up with something special to thank our fans for nearly two decades of unwavering support.
Feb. 9 in Baltimore ROH presents Free Enterprise, a live event featuring the best pro wrestlers on the planet that is FREE to attend!
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) January 6, 2020
“Free Enterprise is an extension of the ongoing #ROHCares initiative in which ROH gives back to the community,” and ROH press release for the event reads. “This program has seen top stars regularly visit children’s hospitals and has provided veterans with free tickets to live events through a partnership with Vet Tix.”
The promotion has also announced several wrestlers already signed to appear and 3 big matches already booked for the event.
ROH Free Enterprise
Matches booked for the free event scheduled for February 9th in Baltimore:
Slex vs Flip Gordon
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs Flamita & Bandido
ROH World Tag Team Championships Jon Gresham & Jay Lethal (c) vs Dan Maff & Jeff Cobb
Other ROH Wrestlers scheduled to appear at Free Enterprise:
PCO
Dragon Lee
“El Toro Blanco” RUSH
“The Villain” Marty Scurll
Session Moth Martina
ROH World Champion PCO Ceremonial Puck Drop At Montreal Canadiens Game
PCO will be honored tonight at the Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets game. The ROH World Champion will be dropping the puck at the Bell Center.
Montreal Quebec’s Native Son and NEW Ring of Honor World Champion, @PCOisNotHuman will grace the Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets hockey match Jan. 6th at 7pm at the Bell Centre. @CanadiensMTL