Rey Fenix was sustained an injury at Friday night’s AAW live event from Austin, TX. Fenix was injured while taking a cutter and had to be stretchered out of the ring area. Fans were asked not to take pictures as an unmasked Fenix was helped into an ambulance.
An MRI would reveal Fenix suffered a muscle contusion and he’ll just need to rest for a few days. He is scheduled to take part in the Impact Wrestling TV tapings in Las Vegas from February 15-17 next week.
These last few days have been a period of transition for Pentagon and Fenix. One week ago today the brothers lost the MLW Tag Team Championships to Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. Then in a match which aired last night on Impact Wrestling, however, they defeated LAX to win the Impact Tag Team Championships.
Both Pentagon and Fenix were in Las Vegas on Thursday night as well for the All Elite Wrestling rally at the MGM Grand. The Lucha Bros attacked the Young Bucks during the rally, likely setting up a match between the two teams of brothers at Double or Nothing on May 25.
47-year-old Mark Henry has been with WWE almost half his life, having joined the company in 1996. Although he hasn’t officially retired, his last match was at the Greatest Royal Rumble nearly 10 months ago.
According to comments Henry recently made on Sam Roberts’ podcast, he is about to play a larger role backstage than before. In particular, Henry plans to fix issues in the WWE locker room.
“I will be at all PPVs now,” Henry said. “This is really new, like in the last two weeks. Every PPV there’s going to be issues with people in the locker room. We’re going to re-establish the leadership chain of command.”
Early on the show, Henry explained some of the issues he plans to address.
“Me being gone this last year and a half, there’s a lot of stuff that’s happened in the locker room that would have never happened under my watch,” Henry said on the show. “People arguing and fussing about stuff. There’s been some disrespecting my wife or my girlfriend type of stuff. There’s been a couple of people been habitually late, which Vince hates, but he don’t have Taker or me. Booker’s not there, only at TV. Big Show’s been injured. All the guys that hold people’s face to the fire is not there.”
Impact Wrestling presented a taped show from Mexico City last night on Pursuit and Twitch TV. It was the final show before next week’s special “UnCaged” branded show and also featured a tag-team main event between LAX and the Lucha Bros.
Here are 9 Takeaways from Impact Wrestling 2/8
The Lucha Bros Win The Impact Tag Team Championships
Pentagon Jr. and Fenix are the new Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Champions after having defeated LAX in last night’s main event. The teams are now 1-1 against each other in bouts with the titles on the line.
A rubber match between the two teams seems likely.
Fatal 4-Way For Impact World Championship Next Week
Next week's four way match seems to be giving @MrGMSI_BCage and @TheRealMorrison a shared sense of being screwed. #IMPACT
After Moose and Killer Kross defeated Johnny Impact and Brian Cage in tag action last week, they were both added to next week’s title match. Now instead of a rematch between Brian Cage and Johnny Impact, it will be a fatal 4-way match with the World Championship on the line.
The Lucha Bros vs RVD & Sabu Scheduled For United We Stand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX_o019g9Vs
Not only did Pentagon Jr. and Fenix win the tag titles last night, their opponents for United We Stand were also announced. In what will be the night’s main event a dream tag match between the Lucha Bros and RVD & Sabu has been scheduled.
United We Stand takes place April 4th at 11 PM from Rahway, New Jersey and will air live and for free on Twitch TV.
Taya Valkyrie (c) vs Tessa Blanchard – Street Fight Title Match Next Week
Next week on Impact Wrestling, Taya Valkyrie will look to defend the Knockouts Championship against former champion, Tessa Blanchard. This will be the 4th title match between the two and it has been booked under street fight rules. Anything can happen when these two clash for the Knockouts title once again next week.
Kiera Hogan Pinned Dark Allie Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6JBcpTOSZM
Kiera Hogan pinned Allie again last night. Previously, Hogan pinned Allie in a tag-team action but this week Hogan got the win in one-on-one competition. Rosemary has been haunting Allie as of late and she appears rattled. When Su Yung disappeared from ringside, only leaving her mandible claw glove on the apron, the distraction was enough for Hogan to hit a fisherman suplex for the win.
Sami Callihan Will Reveal Rich Swann’s Secrets Next Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np4TsEJEJLk
Sami Callihan has been telling the world that Rich Swann owes him for taking him in as a homeless teenager. Swann said in a promo recently, however, that all Sami wants from him is to be his 3rd guy watching his back. That’s not what family is according to Swann. This week Swann teamed up with Willie Mack and defeated the Crist Brothers. Next week, however, Sami Callihan has promised to reveal even more secrets about the X-Division Champion.
Sami Callihan Gains Momentum For Team Impact
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swE03UJmlQg
Sami Callihan will also take part in the 2019 World Cup between Impact and AAA next week. This week, however, in a preview to the 4-on-4 elimination tag match, Callihan took on Puma King and picked up the win with a piledriver.
Trey Beats Rohit Raju
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFADmm__0bU
The Rascalz got in the win column this week as Trey Miguel, the Fresh Prince of Midair, defeated the Desi Hit Squad’s Rohit Raju. Trey missed out on becoming X-Division champion at Homecoming but will move back up the division’s rankings with this win.
Lineup For Impact Wrestling’s UnCaged – Next Week
NEXT WEEK – We present Uncaged on Pursuit and Twitch!
Impact Wrestling’s big show over WrestleMania weekend will be United We Stand on April 4th. The Lucha Bros will face RVD & Sabu in the show’s main event. The match was made official during last night’s broadcast of Impact Wrestling on Pursuit and Twitch.
United We Stand will air live and for free on Twitch.Tv/ImpactWrestling.
The Lucha Bros vs RVD & Sabu – United We Stand – April 4th, 2019
“Rob Van Dam and Sabu will face Pentagon Jr. and Fenix in a must see dream match!” an Impact press release for the match reads. “An instant classic if there ever was one! RVD and Sabu return to IMPACT Wrestling. We can’t wait for this tag team clash.”
The show starts at 11 PM from the Rahway Recreation Center in Rahway, New Jersey.
Last month, Impact Wrestling and Major League Wrestling announced they would work together to stagger their shows so fans would be able to attend both:
“Due to the New York curfew preventing us from starting at 11:00 p.m. ET, we have moved our live event to New Jersey,” stated Impact’s Scott D’Amore.
“We want to thank our partners at WrestlePro for facilitating this collaboration on April 4th and also thank House of Glory and stress that we couldn’t make this happen for our great fans without their cooperation.”
Ronda Rousey will look to defend her RAW Women’s Championship at Elimination Chamber against Ruby Riott. The event takes place Sunday, February 17th, 2019 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Riott was the one member of the Riott Squad who Rousey did not submit on last Monday night’s RAW.
“Will the “unbreakable bond” between the nefarious faction help Riott conquer the unrelenting Rousey and forge her own path into The Showdown of the Immortals?” A WWE press release for the match reads. “Find out at WWE Elimination Chamber, Sunday, Feb. 17, at 7 ET/4 PT on the award-winning WWE Network.”
Ronda Rousey vs Ruby Riott – Elimination Chamber 2019
Riott Squad member, Liv Morgan, noted on Twitter that every member of their faction will have a chance at a championship at Elimination Chamber.
Rousey will look to defend her title for the 8th consecutive time on WWE programming (i.e not including house shows). Since winning the title at SummerSlam, she has defended it against Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella, Mickie James, Nia Jax, Natalya, Sasha Banks, and Bayley.
Also in Rousey news, she’s marketing a line of “Ice & Advil” T-shirts with a portion of proceeds going to charity:
Dean Ambrose appeared on Zach Ryder & Curt Hawkins podcast recently and spoke about the difference between wrestlers who care about what they do and those who do it for the money.
“There’s a lot of people that are here for the money,” Ambrose said on the show. “They didn’t grow up watching it, don’t care what they do. They have no artistic care for what we do. You guys are like me, this is all we’ve ever loved.”
It was revealed late last month that Ambrose will not be renewing his WWE contract after WrestleMania.
Ambrose also spoke about how he had trouble holding down a job previously because everything in his life took a backseat to wrestling.
“I had every job under the sun,” he continued. “Six months is maybe the longest I could sustain a job anywhere because everything took a backseat to wrestling. So you work somewhere for a week, train, learn the system—a waiter somewhere, work in a factory—but then eventually, I got a show, can’t show up to work, you get fired.”
Ambrose also told a story about dealing with collectors looking for signed merchandise at airports. When he spoke about dealing with regular fans in public, however, Ambrose spoke positively.
“You’ve got to take the time for them. It’s pure,” Ambrose said. “You have to step back and think ‘I’m living the dream right now.’ But those other people do ruin it for everybody.”
You can list to the full podcast at the link below or at Podbean.com:
Ember Moon listed her dream opponent, what got her into wrestling, and more during a recent interview. The RAW Superstar spoke to journalist Chris Van Vliet on numerous topics, including the 6-hour process it takes to get her hair looking like it does on Monday nights.
“I dye it myself,” Ember said of her hair. “So I buy tons of hair extensions, literally sit in a sad room with a television and sometimes an alcoholic beverage. I sit there for literally 6 hours a day just painting hair and this is the end result.”
“Beth Phoenix. Hands down,” she said. “It always has been, always will be. I loved everything she did when I was a kid. She was so powerful. Technically the second woman to enter the Royal Rumble and the first woman to eliminate someone in the Royal Rumble. She’s done so much and that’s a dream match for me.”
In terms of what got Moon into wrestling, there is a particular moment from her childhood she recalls. Evidently, when the Hurricane chokeslammed the Rock, it left an impression on young Ember.
“I remember the first time that The Hurricane chokeslammed The Rock though,” she recalled. “I was like ‘No, it’s not going to happen!’ That was so great. I do remember that. That was one my fondest childhood moments. And the limo blowing up.”
You can check out the full interview in the player below:
All Elite Wrestling announced several new roster members last night at the Double or Nothing ticket rally in Las Vegas. Kenny Omega, the Best Friends, Kylie Rae, and Sammy Guevara were announced in addition to several others.
With yesterday’s additions the AEW updated roster looks as follows:
AEW Confirmed Roster:
Kenny Omega (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
Cody
The Young Bucks
Chris Jericho
PAC
Hangman Page
Pentagon Jr (agreed to terms this week)
Fenix (agreed to terms this week)
Christoper Daniels
Kazarian
Scorpio Sky
Trent Beretta (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
Chuck Taylor (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
Joey Janela
CIMA (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
Spent 21 years wrestling for Dragon Gate. Began wrestling with OWE in early 2018
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF)
Jimmy Havoc (announced earlier this week)
Jungle Boy (announced recently)
Sonny Kiss (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
XO Lishus from Lucha Underground
Sammy Guevara (announced at Double or Nothing Rally)
Penelope Ford
Britt Baker
Brandi Rhodes
Nyla Rose
Warriors of Wrestling Women’s Champion
Also wrestles with Sendai Girls in Japan quite a bit.
AEW confirmed they will partner with Mexican Lucha Libre promotion AAA. The promotion was founded in 1992 when Antonio Pena and Konnan split away from CMLL. At the rally in Jacksonville on January 8th, the Young Bucks also announced a partnership with Oriental Wrestling Entertainment (OWE)
The world lost wrestling legend Joan Marie Laurer aka Chyna on April 20th, 2016. She was only 46 years of age at the time of her death. Rob Potylo runs the official Twitter account for Chyna and recently released a video he made just 2 months before her death.
In the video, Chyna said she hopes to be able to apologize to WWE for things she had said in the past. Potylo posted on Twitter of how much Chyna missed her wrestling family. He also made a plea for her to finally be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“Anyone who questions how much she missed her wrestling family, or what the WWE Hall of Fame meant to her.. Watch,” he wrote. “Might be some tears… Please RT. Let Chyna In.”
The video can be viewed in the player below:
I filmed this video with Chyna at her apartment 2 months before she passed…
Anyone who questions how much she missed her wrestling family, or what the WWE Hall of Fame meant to her.. Watch. Might be some tears… Please RT.
“Lots of good stuff happening, so I’m thrilled about that,” she said to start the video. “One of the things I’ve been having difficulty with still is my communication with the WWE. I’ve been trying to convey that through the Hall of Fame and asking for sit-downs, and I think that the more that I go out to these shows and appearances I realize that it’s more about family and how much I miss my family.
And I don’t want to show up at all of these places with my brothers and sisters that I was in the trenches with, on the road with, that I love (and) were a huge part of my life, to see them now and feel awkward because of the repercussions of the battle with the WWE.”
Vince, In her book Chyna referred to you as the best Father figure she ever had! She had demons, she made mistakes. She wanted to atone for those errors. She was a transcendent figure in the world of Women's Wrestling. Will you let Joanie into the WWE Hall of Fame?@VinceMcMahonpic.twitter.com/eXmtm1U5WU
The Undertaker is taking outside WWE bookings for public appearances and autograph sessions. In the past, he has generally shied away from such things in an effort to protect his deadman gimmick.
According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, his fee for public appearances is $25,000 per hour.
“One person attempting to book him said he is charging $25,000 per hour for appearances within the U.S,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “But he’s not taking regular bookings until the summer.”
Undertaker is booked for sellout shows with “Inside The Ropes” in the UK from April 30 to May 2. Inside the Ropes produces live talk show-style events.
As of this moment, there are no notable plans for Taker at this year’s WrestleMania.
“The timing of this is notable as he is also not scheduled to work a top match at Wrestlemania at this point,” Meltzer wrote. As of today he’s also not working the next Saudi Arabia show, and if he was going to wrestle, the Saudi show would be the most likely show since it’s the biggest money show of the year, and Mania would be the next most likely date.”
Pat McAfee is now officially a WWE employee. The former NFL Punter has been working on NXT: Takeover pre-show panels for the last year. He announced earlier this morning on Twitter that he is now an official WWE employee.
News broke in late 2018 that WWE had offered him a multi-year deal.
McAfee released a video along with the Tweet announcing his signing. In the video, he tells the story of performing on an independent show 1 month before being drafted to the NFL. His agent told him not to go in the ring but McAfee was unable to resist the temptation.
“My agent said one thing and one thing alone: Don’t Get In The Ring,” McAfee said. “What my agent didn’t know and what that creepy dude in the ring didn’t know is that my dream my entire life has been to be in the WWE.”
McAfee would continue to talk about some of the entertainment value he brought to the NFL.
“I was the first punter to start celebrating punts,” he continued. “We probably shouldn’t, we’re turning the ball over but I was excited that I was doing my job well and there’s only one celebration I know, that’s WWE celebrations!”
McAfee’s video also shows him celebrating a punt like he’s Razor Ramon or Scott Hall.
You can view McAfee’s full video in the Tweet below:
Good morning beautiful people.. today's a pretty massive day for me. I can officially say I'm a @WWE employee. A real lifelong dream coming true thanks to @MichaelCole and @TripleH.. This opportunity means the world to me. Let's. Go. pic.twitter.com/H33H8GqwTY
Mickie James says Becky Lynch might be “the Man” but she’s “the Woman”. James spoke to reporter Chris Van Vliet recently about her Twitter battle with Becky Lynch, being a women’s wrestling pioneer, and returning to WWE in 2016.
“I mean it’s cool, she’s the man,” Lynch said. “That’s cool. And I’m the woman. I said it there and I’ll say it again, women have always been the dominant sex. So if you want to do this whole ‘I’m the man’ thing which I think went out in 2010 if you want to bring that back, that’s cool. But I’m a woman, I’m a grown ass woman, you know what I mean? And I’m proud of it. I love Becky though, I do respect her. I think she’s fantastic, she is amazingly talented. I’m just better.”
James began her first run with WWE in 2005 and kickstarted a memorable feud with Trish Stratus which would culminate in a show-stealing WrestleMania 22 performance. She also spoke on what it was like wrestling against the likes of Stratus and Beth Phoenix.
“There was a difference between the girls who went out and did gravy bowl matches and granted we were all asked to do some of that stuff but I think even still, the matches that I would have with Beth Phoenix or Trish Stratus they were held at different standards,” James said. “I don’t think there was ever at any time when the boys in the locker room, at least when I went out there, would say this isn’t going to be a good match.”
James was also asked about the new promotion, AEW, and what it means for the industry.
“It’s good for the boys, it’s good for my friends who want somewhere else to work and that’s great. But aside from talk, I haven’t really seen anything yet.”
Multiple wrestlers from Lucha Underground have filed a class action lawsuit against the El Rey Network and Baba-G Productions. According to a report from Lucha Central, Joey Ryan, Ivelisse, and Thunder Rosa are the complainants in the lawsuit.
Pro Wrestling Sheet broke the story earlier today that Fantasma has also filed suit against El Rey. In the case of Fantasma, however, he is not seeking his release.
Lucha Underground Stars Seek Release From Contracts
Andre Verdun, the lawyer for the complainants and former luchador himself, spoke to Lucha Central about the suits. He mentioned that he has been assisting wrestlers from Lucha Underground to get releases from their contracts.
“Until now, everyone that I assisted has been released without the need for litigation,” Verdun said. “Lucha Underground appears to be pushing back in midst of what appears to be a mass exodus by their top stars if they can get their release.”
Verdun would continue to say that in the case of Fantasma, he is not seeking a release but rather compensation.
“(Fantasma’s) lawsuit is not a tactic to get his release,” Verdun continued. “It is just a lawsuit saying essentially, ‘Had you not used this legal contract to prevent me from taking these other opportunities, I would have made money, and therefore you should compensate me’.”
Verdun then clarified more details about the lawsuit involving Joey Ryan, Ivelisse, and Kobra Moon. He also clarified further it had initially been incorrectly reported that Fantasma’s lawsuit was to seek a release from the company.
“My office filed as a class action to invalidate certain portions of their contracts that we believe are illegal,” Verdun said. “There are several wrestlers that have signed onto that lawsuit, others that have reached out requesting to join. So that lawsuit actually seeks to do what it I saw reported that Fantasma’s lawsuit is attempting to accomplish. I am sure it was reported that way because so many people have been searching for help in getting released.”
The full interview with Andre Verdun can be read here.
The Undertaker joined Twitter this November. He has since removed all mention of WWE from his bio. He now lists an email address linked to Get Engaged Media where he can be contacted for bookings.
The removal of any mention of WWE from his bio has led some to speculate on what his current status with WWE is. The issue was addressed on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“The Undertaker I guess on his social media he removed references to WWE and he gave this website address for taking dates so he’s going to start going and doing stuff. Usually, he would protect that gimmick and wouldn’t do a lot of public appearances but now he’s looking for public appearances,” Dave Meltzer said.
“I don’t know what the relationship is with WWE,” he continued. “It did come after I was told he’s not scheduled for WrestleMania or at least wasn’t scheduled for a main match at WrestleMania as of a week ago.”
The Undertaker’s last match was at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia where he and Kane lost to DX. Previously, he lost to Triple H at Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia. He wrestled in a 6-person tag at Madison Square Garden on July 7th. Prior to that, he defeated Rusev in a Casket Match at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Taker also defeated John Cena in a rather impromptu match at WrestleMania 34.
In Atlanta, this weekend, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix accepted the Young Bucks offer to come work for them in AEW. According to a recent report from Wrestling Observer Radio, however, the Lucha Bros are not free to commit to AEW on more than a per-match basis.
“They are on a per match deal with AEW because they cannot sign them because they are under contract with Lucha Underground,” Dave Meltzer said.
“They will have plenty of offers and make a lot of money,” Meltzer continued. “But it’s not happening until they get out of that Lucha Underground contract.”
The report continued to state that Pentagon and Fenix will still end up working with Impact Wrestling, however.
The only wrestling promotion with more people trying to leave it than WWE at the moment is Lucha Underground. Numerous talents have expressed frustrations recently with the terms of the contracts they signed with the company. Joey Ryan and Ivelisse have both stated the company told wrestlers they would be granted their releases if requested.
“I back Ivelisse 100% on this. Prior to S4, we were told anybody who requested a release would be granted one,” Joey Ryan Tweeted in response to Ivelisse saying she felt held hostage by the promotion. “Some did and left after the tapings. Others showed faith in the product and now seems are being punished for it. With no S5 in sight, it’s petty to keep anyone locked up.”
As WWE heads fully into WrestleMania season, several Superstars are said to be dealing with injuries.
Seth Rollins Injury Update
Seth Rollins is said to be dealing with a back injury which will keep him from in-ring work for the next month. According to an update on Wrestling Observer Radio, however, his injury is not said to be serious enough that his WrestleMania match with Brock Lesnar is in jeopardy.
“Seth Rollins has a bad back,” Dave Meltzer said. “He was off TV tonight. They’re going to rest him up. I was told it’s not WrestleMania-threatening.”
Rollins could potentially miss the next PPV, however, as Elimination Chamber is scheduled for just 12 days from now.
Former WWE Champion, AJ Styles, has not wrestled since losing to Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble. His status appears to be up in the air at the moment.
“AJ has a hernia,” Meltzer continued. “I don’t know where that would stand as far as tomorrow goes but that’s the injury.”
Sasha Banks Injury Update
Banks wrestled for the first time since the Royal Rumble last night on RAW but her injury status is still not clear either. Her and Bayley defeated Nikki Cross and Alicia Fox but Banks was not overly active in the match.
“They did the entire match, she did not tag in a single time,” said Bryan Alvarez. “She laid on the ramp and then she laid outside the entire match. She did one spot where she yanked Nikki Cross into the post. Then Bayley got the win, so she never tagged in.”
Meltzer noted that if Banks was not cleared to compete she would not have been out there, however.
Becky Lynch also missed some house shows recently but her injuries are said to be entirely storyline based.
Katsuya Kitamura is no longer with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The winner of the 2017 Young Lions Cup has been on the shelf since March dealing with a serious injury. Although details of the injury are scarce, it is believed Kitamura badly damanged his leg in a scooter accident. He is then believed to have suffered another injury while training and the decision was recently made between him and New Japan to end their working relationship.
NJPW commentator, Chris Charlton, provided some English-language translations of today’s announcement.
“He had sustained an injury while training and spent over a year taking medical treatment and being dedicated rehabbing,” Charlton continued. “After discussions with the company he decided to leave.”
Katsuya Kitamura
Kitamura was a promising amateur wrestler who was projected to be on the 2012 Japenese Olympic team. A positive test for PEDs in 2011 and a subsequent suspension ended that dream, however.
He began training at the New Japan Dojo in 2015. By 2017, he was regularly competing in preliminary matches on the NJPW main touring roster. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year award in 2017 by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Kitamura won the 2017 Young Lions Cup as well. He then teamed with David Finlay in the World Tag League in 2017 that winter. They lost all their matches in the round-robin.
Jay Lethal has now spent more days as ROH World Champion than any other person on the planet. Today is the 646th-day Lethal has spent as ROH Champion spread out over the course of 2 reigns with the belt.
He passed Samoa Joe today on the all-time combined days spent as champion statistic. Joe spent 645 days as champion all in the course of one reign with the title. Joe won the title on March 22nd, 2003 and held it until Final Battle on December 26th, 2004. He lost the title to Austin Aries on that night.
Jay Lethal won the title the first time at Best in the World 2015, beating Jay Briscoe. He would hold the title for 427 days and defend it 28x during his initial reign. Lethal won the title back by beating Cody, Matt Taven, & Dalton Castle on June 30th, 2018 and has held it ever since.
There is no shortage of contenders for Lethal’s ROH World Championship at the moment. On the most recent Road To G1 Supercard tour, Lethal successfully defended his title against the Kingdom’s Vinnie Marseglia. Marty Scurll is owed a title match for winning Survival of the Fittest last year. Flip Gordon is also owed a title match due to his winning the Sea of Honor tournament on Chris Jericho’s Rock N Rager at Sea. Gordon will be on the injured list until this spring, however.
Lethal’s 38 all-time title defenses are tied for the ROH record. Nigel McGuiness and Daniel Bryan each had 38 title defenses during their only reigns with the belt as well.
Arguably one of the greatest tag teams of all time will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. According to a report from PW Insider, the Hart Foundation are set to be honored over WrestleMania weekend.
Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and their original manager Jimmy Hart will all receive the honors. Bret Hart was originally inducted into the Hall in 2006 while Jimmy Hart was inducted the year prior in 2005.
Sadly, Neidhart will be a posthumous inductee as we lost him this summer at the age of 63.
Bret and Neidhart both joined WWE after Vince McMahon purchased Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling territory in 1984. They began teaming together at Bret’s request in 1985.
The Harts would enlist the help of “Dangerous” Danny Davis, a corrupt referee, to win the titles from the British Bulldogs on an episode of Superstars from January 1987. After a 274 day reign, they would drop the titles to Rick Martel and Tito Santana.
Bret and Neidhart would turn babyface and win the titles for the second time in 1990. They defeated Demolition at SummerSlam that year. The Hart Foundation held the titles for another 209 days before dropping them to the Nasty Boys at WrestleMania VII. Shortly after, Bret began a single’s career and Neidhart would move on to form the New Foundation with Owen Hart.
The Hart Foundation rank 3rd all-time on the list of most combined days spent with the tag titles.
This past Saturday night’s MLW Superfight event from Philadelphia, PA was a huge success for the promotion. The show was very well received by fans online and MLW broke its all-time box office record. You can watch MLW Superfight in its entirety below.
In addition to action-packed card, there were several announcements made about upcoming MLW events:
MLW: Intimidation Games: March 2nd
MLW’s next live event will be the return of Intimidation Games on Saturday, March 2nd from Chicago, IL at Cicero Stadium. This will be another live event on beIN SPORTS.
Hot of the success of MLW Superfight, Major League Wrestling returns to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 1st.
MLW SuperFight II: February 2020 In Los Angeles
MLW Superfight is poised to become an annual show. During the MLW Superfight broadcast, the promotion announced MLW Suoperfight II will be taking place next February from Los Angeles, CA.
Watch: MLW Superfight
MLW World Tag Team Championship:
Pentagón Jr. & Rey Fenix (c) vs. Hart Foundation
Grudge Match:
Ricky Martinez “El Sicario” vs. “The Haitian Sensation” Kotto Brazil
MLW World Heavyweight Championship: Low Ki (c) vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
Court Bauer Thanks Pentagon, Fenix and Low Ki
Following MLW Superfight, MLW CEO Court Bauer took to social media to thank Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix for their 7-month MLW tag team championship reign.
The brothers lost the MLW Tag Team championships this weekend to the Hart Foundation team of Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart.
Bauer wishes Pengaton and Fenix well “wherever they go.” As we covered over the weekend, the Lucha Bros. have agreed to wrestle for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It’s believed those deals are non-exclusive and they should be able to continue working for MLW, Impact Wrestling and other non-WWE companies.
Court Bauer also thanked Low Ki for all the hard work that went into his MLW World Heavyweight Championship reign. He was defeated by “Filthy” Tom Lawler at Superfight.
Seth Rollins is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury that will keep him out of action for the next several weeks. Rollins has not been medically cleared to wrestle, according to John Pollack of Post Wrestling.
“He is off live events for the time being and not expected to be used on Raw this Monday to recover,” Pollock reports. “We were told that he will only be doing promos with no physicality for the next month on television.”
WWE has yet to acknowledge the injury, but it’s believed the situation predates his recent beatdown at the hands of Brock Lesnar last week on Raw.
Rollins is scheduled to challenge for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday, April 7th.
Other WWE Injury Updates
Sasha Banks was not cleared to compete following the Royal Rumble but she is expected to be for Monday. She’ll team with Bayley against Nikkie Cross and Alicia Fox in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship qualifier.
AJ Styles was said to be a little beat up but will be cleared for Smackdown on Tuesday.
Becky Lynch was not on a recent Smackdown house show but the knee injury she is dealing with is said to be entirely storyline based. She’ll be on Smackdown this week barring any new developments. Lynch was seen leaving the arena Tuesday on Smackdown before WWE medical personnel could evaluate her.
WWE tag team Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows were recently interviewed by Miami-based reporter Chris Van Vliet. The former Bullet Club members spoke about WWE’s decision to disband their half-hearted incarnation of The Club, the launch of All Elite Wrestling and more.
Val Vliet does a ton of wrestling interviews, give his YouTube channel a follow to see his recent chats with Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Sasha Banks, Bayley and more.
There has been a lot of talk about WWE Superstars being dissatisfied and thinking about jumping ship to AEW. In addition to The Revival, Gallows and Anderson are another underutilized tag team that might fare better outside of WWE.
“We’re happy for our friends, we think those guys will do great,” Gallows said in regards to AEW. “They’ve done great around the world. We wish we could have them here with us but we wish them the best in their new endeavor.”
“Happy for our friends,” Anderson added. “Happy for the industry and I hope everybody succeeds.”
Regarding The Club in WWE, the ‘good brothers’ said AJ Styles moving to SmackDown put a halt to what little momentum the sorta-faction had. Plus, they would actually need television time to make it work.
“When AJ Styles got drafted to Smackdown and the story stopped,” Anderson said. “There you go.”
“It came to a screeching halt,” added Gallows.
“When the writers decided it needed to stop,” Anderson added.
“Well we could have continued but you need some screen time, you know what I mean brother?” asked Gallows.
Gallows also performs a few classic wrestling impersonations, including Macho Man Randy Savage.
Impact Wrestling 2/1 aired from Mexico City last night. The promotion is building towards a special “Uncaged” episode to take place in two weeks.
Here are 9 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 2/1:
Moose Pinned Johnny Impact In Tag Team Main Event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYdnrFz0y4c
Johnny Impact and Brian Cage were forced to team up this week to take on Killer Kross and Moose. The two will face each other in two weeks at UnCaged for the world title. Impact accidentally hit Cage with a kick during the closing moments of the match. As Cage prepared to respond, Moose hit Impact with a spear and pinned him.
Don Callis noted on commentary that the champion might have spread himself too thin, leading to recent losses. Frustration from the fan reaction to how he won at Homecoming might also play a role in what Callis sees as a character change in the champion.
Lucha Bros vs LAX Rematch In 2 Weeks At UnCaged
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y13kM9w1nsc&t=15s
Impact Wrestling kicked off last night’s episode with a trios match. The Lucha Bros and LAX were both paired with a luchador from AAA recommended by Konnan. Daga teamed with LAX and Taurus teamed with the Lucha Bros. After the Lucha Bros picked up the win they challenged LAX to a rematch from Homecoming with the tiles once again on the line. LAX agreed and that match will take place in two weeks at UnCaged.
Rosemary Continues To Haunt Dark Allie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMcsjx0D37I&t=8s
Kiera Hogan and Jordynne Grace defeated Dark Allie and Su Yung in tag team action this week. Rosemary magically appeared on the ring apron in place of Yung much like she has been doing in Allie’s matches as of late. The dark sorcery used by Rosemary caused the distraction allowing Kiera Hogan to hit a fisherman suplex on Allie for the win.
Next PPV Will Be Rebellion – April 28th – Toronto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv_we_u0V6w
Impact Wrestling announced this week they will return to Toronto for the April 28th Rebellion PPV. They will be back in Rebel Nightclub, the home of Slammiversary last summer.
Scarlett Bordeaux Is Training Real Hard For Her Debut
Previously, Scarlett Bordeaux has demonstrated a propensity to eat bananas whole during her training videos. This week the “10 amongst 5s” built anticipation towards her debut in the Knockouts division by sparring with Bobo by a pool.
Tessa Blanchard’s suspension for attacking a production assistant and Gail Kim in the back recently will be lifted for the February 15th UnCaged episode. A video she posted directed at Taya on social media was played. Will Blanchard get a rematch right away against Taya, however? We might have to wait until UnCaged to find out.
Will The Old Eddie Edwards Return?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpvO_fAoOVA
Eli Drake has been lobbying for the old Eddie Edwards to return. He says the hardcore version of Edwards has fallen out of the world title picture but the old Eddie Edwards was a world champion. This week the two teamed up and defeated the Rascalz. Edwards attempted to use his kendo stick but the referee prevented him. Then with the ref still dealing with Edwards, Drake used the kendo stick on Dez, hit Gravy Train and picked up the win for his team.
Edwards seemed a little confused after the match about the tactics his partner used.
World Cup 2019 Preview
Psycho Clown defeated Fallah Bah this week. The member of the famed luchador clown family will be apart of the AAA team which takes on the Impact Wrestling team in the 2019 World Cup at Uncaged. Psycho Clown will team up with Vikingo, Puma King, and Aerostar at Uncaged. Sami Callihan, Eli Drake, Eddie Edwards, and Fallah Bah will make up Team Impact.
Rich Swann Says What Sami Callihan Wants Isn’t Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PbkVjOVIzA
Callihan tried to tell Rich Swann that he is his real family. Swann was homeless at 18 with no family and no place to go. Callihan opened up his home to Swann but Swann learned a little too much about who exactly Callihan is. Swann says Callihan uses people for his advantage and just wants him to be the 3rd guy watching his back. Swann said what Callihan wants isn’t family.
Quick Results:
The Lucha Bros & Taurus defeated LAX & Daga
Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace defeated Dark Allie & Su Yung
Eddie Edwards & Eli Drake defeated The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz)
Psycho Clown defeated Fallah Bah
Moose & Killer Kross defeated Johnny Impact & Brain Cage
After suffering multiple losses in a row on WWE programming, Kurt Angle will address his future Monday night on RAW. The 50-year-old recently posted to his social media that he has something to say on Monday’s show.
“From my amazing WWE HOF career, to my work as GM of Raw, to the way things have gone down the past couple of months, I will address my future in WWE this week on Monday Night Raw,” Angle posted on Instagram.
From my amazing WWE HOF career, to my work as GM of Raw, to the way things have gone down the past couple of months, I will address my future in WWE this week on Monday Night Raw.… https://t.co/2iBlgRKIVP
This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw will emanate from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Only one match has been confirmed for the show; Sasha Banks and Bayley will take on Alicia Fox and Nikki Cross. The winners will be the 3rd and final team from RAW to qualify for the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match.
Angle has been on a losing streak spanning back to the WWE World Cup tournament held at Crown Jewel in November. Angle was eliminated by Dolph Ziggler in the 1st round of the tournament. 3 days later he was destroyed by Drew McIntyre on Monday Night Raw. He was the 2nd elimination in the Royal Rumble recently as well, having been thrown out after just 3 minutes by Shinsuke Nakamura. Last week on RAW, Angle was defeated by Baron Corbin.
WWE Superstars, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows, have each been trademarking several terms as of late. Both wrestlers have their own LLCs. Karl Andrson is the owner of “MG Karl Anderson LLC” and Gallows owns “WrestleMerica LLC”.
MG Karl Anderson LLC Trademarks
Karl Anderson has filed for several trademarks recently. Between January 18th and 24th, Anderson filed for the following trademarks:
Karl Anderson (WWE has filed an opposition to this, previously trademarked term in 2016)
Talk’N’Shop
Hot Asian Wife
Machine Gun
WrestleMerica LLC Trademarks
Andrew William Hankinson, aka Luke Gallows, filed for the following trademarks between January 18th and 24th:
Doc Gallows
Big LG
Good Brothers
Good Brother
Biz Cliz
The following trademarks had been filed previously by WrestleMerica in 2017:
Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Shinsuke Nakamura, and AJ Styles all left New Japan Pro Wrestling in early 2016 and signed 3-year deals with WWE. Those deals are expected to expire after WrestleMania this year.
AJ Styles is not expected to make the jump, however. He has been reported as likely to stay in WWE. As for Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows, less is known, however. We might have to wait until the spring until we know more about which promotion those 3 sign their next contracts with.