Wrestling legend Ric Flair has been back in the ring as of late. The 73-year-old Hall of Famer is taking bumps and showing fans that he can still “go.”
He isn’t just hitting the ropes for old time’s sake. Ric Flair is reportedly training for an in-ring return, despite his advanced age and recent health issues.
Flair has been training with former ROH World Champion and AEW star, Jay Lethal.
Ric Flair’s Return to the Ring
The word going around is that Ric Flair will compete in a 6-man tag team match that would see him aligned with FTR. Their opponents would be The Rock ‘n Roll Express and a mystery partner.
Whether or not this match ever comes together remains to be seen. There are several ways where this plan could fizzle out, including Flair’s health and the ‘business’ side of the equation. At this stage, this should be considered a rumor – but it’s definitely being talked about amongst people in the industry.
Ric Flair retired back in 2008 when he lost to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24. He’d go on to wrestle several more times, including the “Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin” tour of Australia in November 2009 and for Impact Wrestling (2011). Flair made several wrestling appearances last year, including for WWE, AAA and the NWA.
Say what you want about Ric Flair, and there’s a lot to say, but he shows no signs of slowing down. The man who was once known as the Dirtiest Player in the Game remains one of the sport’s most talked about figures.
Rick Boogs has provided an update on the torn quad he sustained at WrestleMania 38.
At the time, doctors told him his quad was “too strong for the tendon” and it was flexing so hard, it ripped the tendon totally off the bone. The heavy metal heavyweight underwent surgery in the week following the injury.
Early estimates had him away from the ring for 6-12 months.
Rick Boogs Injury Update
On Saturday morning, Boogs posted a “recovery update” video detailing his current status.
“I’m just doing machines at the gym, like a cookie-cutter right now, that’s all I can do,” said Boogs. “I can’t use the lower extremity, you know what I’m saying, the horse leg, I’ve gotta let that puppy heal.”
Boogs says he’s ahead of schedule on his physical therapy and is eager to test the horse power of the repaired horse leg. He’s also keeping his fanny pack stuffed with fig bars.
Watch Rick Boogs’ latest injury update here:
In the days following his quad tear, Rick Boogs to address the injury and assured fans he will come back bigger, better and stronger.
“From the highest of highs to lowest of lows. Having my beautiful wife with me to experience my first Wrestlemania,” he wrote on Instagram. “Getting the incredible opportunity to open the show! Being able to demonstrate brute strength in front of millions of viewers! Unfortunately, the doctor told me my quad was too strong for the tendon and it was flexing so hard, it ripped the tendon totally off the bone. I’m still incredibly grateful for the experience and for all the love and support. History proves I will come back bigger, better, and stronger. IT’S A MINDSET.”
Major League Wrestling returned to Philadelphia, PA on Friday night for the latest MLW Fusion TV tapings from the 2300 Arena.
Here are the spoiler results from MLW Kings of Colosseum 2022, courtesy of Pro Wrestling.net:
Gangrel defeated Budd Heavy via pinfall.
National Openweight Champion Alex Kane and Davey Richards went to a 20-minute time limit draw. Afterwards, while Kane was attacking Richards, Myron Reed came out for the save but then joined in on the beatdown and aligned with Kane.
Lince Dorado, Taya Valkyrie and Microman defeated Arez, Holidead and Mini Abismo Negro. After the match the heels, the babyfaces were getting beat down which brought out The Blue Meanie and later The Sandman to make the save.
Los Maximos defeated two local wrestlers.
Middleweight Champion Myron Reed defeated KC Navarro and Arez via pinfall.
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone retained against Richard Holliday.
The Samoan Swat Team defeated Los Aztecas via pinfall. Afterward, nZo attacked Fatu, who was at ringside.
Taya Valkyrie beat Holidead via submission to become the inaugural MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion.
“Hustle and Power” Calvin Tankman & EJ Nduka defeated “5150” Rivera & Hernandez and Ross Von Erich & Marshall Von Erich in a three-way via pinfall to retain the MLW Tag Team Championships. After the match, Los Maximos attacked the champs.
The popular Starrcast wrestling fan convention is returning this summer after a 3-year hiatus.
On Friday, SEScoops received word that Starrcast V is headed to Nashville, Tennessee, from July 29th – 31st. This coincides with WWE SummerSlam weekend.
The event will also be made available worldwide, exclusively on FITE.
“The number one question I’ve gotten over the past three years, at live shows, on social media, or in interviews is, ‘When is the next STARRCAST,’ said STARRCAST founder and creator Conrad Thompson.
“I’m so happy I can finally answer; July 29th through the 31st at the beautiful Nashville Fairgrounds. As our Top Guys at AdFreeShows.com know, when my team and I get together on these events, our goal is to over-deliver for the fans, and the line-up and events we have scheduled for STARRCAST V will make it a can’t miss event for any wrestling fan.”
FITE COO Michael Weber also commented on partnering with STARRCAST once again
“Having already worked with Conrad Thompson and his team on the previous four, very-successful STARRCAST events, FITE is excited to present STARRCAST V. The excitement that a STARRCAST event brings to those in attendance, and extending to those watching at home, is second-to-none,” said Weber. “I have fans to this day talk to me about re-watching the stage shows and events from the past STARRCAST events on FITE. We can’t wait to be in Nashville to present what’s going to be another historic event for professional wrestling fans.”
Starrcast tickets go on sale Friday, May 20th. For more information, visit Starrcast.com.
Ric Flair was recently back in the ring and wants the world to know he can still “do this.”
The 73-year-old living legend has been retired for years. Back in 2017, he was fighting for his life and in critical condition due to various health complications. He was placed into a medically-induced coma, but made a miraculous recovery.
Try as you may, you can try to take the Nature Boy out of wrestling, but you can’t take the love of pro wrestling out of Ric Flair.
On Monday, Ric Flair posted a video on social media of himself taking bumps with AEW star Jay Lethal. Flair says he was inspired to show off his abilities after someone had the audacity to question if he can still “go” in the ring. He wrote:
“Someone had the audacity this weekend to ask me if I can still do this. I said “Really??? Naitch don’t play! WOOOOO!”
– Ric Flair
Flair has publicly flirted with the idea of wrestling another match, as many retired pro wrestlers tend to do. We hope this never happens, but it’s good to see Flair looking healthy enough to take a few bumps and relive what he spent so many years doing.
Ric Flair Back in the Ring
As seen below, Flair takes a few bumps, including a headlock takedown, a bodyslam and a running shoulder tackle. He also gets in some offense of his own, and what video of Ric Flair and Jay Lethal would be complete without a strut-off?
Watch Ric Flair in the ring taking bumps at 73-years-old:
Flair has uploaded another video of himself taking bumps in the ring with Jay Lethal. On May 11th, Flair released a video titled, “Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal Round 2”
Tony Khan says AEW Grand Slam will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York later this year.
All Elite Wrestling is currently in New York for tonight’s AEW Dynamite from the UBS Arena on Long Island, New York. It’s sure to be a unique show, since Long Island is the one place on earth that MJF is celebrated as a hero, instead of the despicable worm that he is.
Khan spoke with News 12 Long Island this week to promote Dynamite and said AEW Grand Slam will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium later this year.
Tony Khan says the first AEW Grand Slam was a massive success that almost hit $1 million in ticket sales. AEW has since hit that mark twice, with the upcoming Double or Nothing and Forbidden Door PPV’s.
Khan believes the inaugural Grand Slam event was the beginning of a longterm partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which owns Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Yes, I expect we’ll be back to have Grand Slam, AEW Grand Slam, Dynamite and Rampage, back in Queens at Arthur Ashe Stadium again,” said Khan. “It was a huge success to everyone involved and it’s all thanks to this great partnership with the USTA. They were so kind and I think it resulted in a big partnership.
[Grand Slam] was almost the first million dollar gate in AEW history, just came shy of that, but it was real close and of course we set that record now, for AEW Double or Nothing Las Vegas, became our first million dollar gate for live tickets, and now just hit it again for our partnership with New Japan, for our Forbidden Door show at the United Center.
So, we will be back, and it will be hopefully another huge success going back to Queens for AEW Grand Slam, Dynamite and Rampage, later this year, in 2022 again.”
Watch Tony Khan’s full interview with News 12 Long Island:
Please H/T SEScoops if you use any quotes from this article
Just a few weeks ago, Robinson said his contract extension with NJPW was set to expire at the end of April. He said, “I will not be wrestling under the New Japan banner any longer” after then.
We now know that was a premeditated lie. Robinson made a surprise appearance at NJPW Dontaku on May 1, joined the Bullet Club and attacked new IWGP United States Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.
“Rock Hard” Robinson spoke with the NJPW website this week and had a laugh at the expense of people who believed his talk of leaving NJPW.
“Not that I owe anyone any explanation, but I was never going to retire,” said Robinson. “That was just me lying to a bunch of gullible idiots. People believe that if they read something on the internet it has to be true. So all I had to say is make sure it landed on the internet, and everybody believed it, hook line and sinker.”
Robinson gets a shot at the IWGP United States Championship at the upcoming NJPW Capital Collision event from Washington, D.C. He’ll compete in the 4-way title match involving Tanahashi (c), Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay.
The Bullet Club’s newest member says he will continue shaking things up for the faction, as Jay White has been doing.
“He got rid of dead weight and brought in new blood,” Robinson said of White. “That’s where I come in. I’m the booster for Bullet Club, and with me there, I see Bullet Club going right to the top of the wrestling world.”
Visit NJPW1972 to read their latest interview with Juice Robinson.
CM Punk is fed up with “old-head, bad-faith, bad-take, carny dipshits” who bury modern pro wrestling on their “ego podcasts.”
There are countless wrestling legends with podcasts and radio shows, including Eric Bischoff, Jim Cornette, Bully Ray, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Vince Russo, and Booker T, to name a few.
Punk was specifically replying to Eric Bischoff, who has been a vocal critic of AEW. On a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff ranted about AEW’s storytelling. He feels that AEW caters to a small segment of the wrestling audience, which is hindering their growth.
Bischoff wrote on Twitter, “Better storytelling = Growth If AEW ever wants to get the other 900 fans in the room, they’ll need to stop booking for one small segment of the audience.”
CM Punk is encouraging ‘wrestling Twitter’ to stop amplifying these legends.
“They had their moment in the sun. Let them die in the dark with their ego podcasts. Quote me.”
– CM Punk
You can watch a 2-minute clip of Bischof’s critique of AEW in the tweet embedded below, along with Punk’s full tweet.
Wrestling twitter needs to stop amplifying all the old head bad faith bad take carny dipshits. They had their moment in the sun. Let them die in the dark with their ego podcasts. Quote me. pic.twitter.com/ryMcGSW10u
Eric Bischoff has since replied to CM Punk’s tweet about him.
Bischoff quoted CM Punk talking about AEW signing him, Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole last year. Punk said:
“So, I’m not Hogan or Savage. Daniel Bryan and Adam Cole, they’re not The Outsiders, I see the parallels, but this is totally different. I’ll go ahead and say it and people can quote me and they’ll be p*ssed off about it, but to me, this is bigger.”
Wrestling fans across the world will soon have a chance to witness the premiere live event from the upstart Battle Slam promotion.
Battle Slam: Vendetta premieres tonight, Tuesday May 10th, at 10pm EST. The show will stream for free at FITE.tv.
The worlds of pro wrestling & hip-hop collide at Battle Slam: Vendetta. Witness world-class in-ring action featuring top Wrestlers from national TV and the independent circuit.
There will also be live performances by Pastor Troy, Josiah Williams and more.
Battle Slam: Vendetta Preview
The following matches are set for the first Battle Slam event:
Prestige Wrestling Tag Team Championship: C4 (Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas) (c) vs The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo)
Free Four All Eliminator: Angelica Risk vs Janai Kai vs Queen Aminata vs Robyn Renegade
Open Challenge: Austin Green vs TBA
Baron Black vs Lee Moriarty
Leon Ruff vs Darius Martin
Max Caster vs Myron Reed
Fuego del Sol vs Alex Kane
Shazza McKenzie vs Ashley D’Amboise
KC Navarro vs Shoot Taylor
Plus, Lee Moriarty, Adam Priest, JDX, Zenshi, Chad Skywalker, and Baron Black are also set to appear.
Major League Wrestling returns to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA this Friday for Kings of Colosseum ’22.
This will be an MLW Fusion TV taping. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, limited tickets are still available at MLW2300.com and at the 2300 Arena box office.
The following matches are signed for the event:
World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone vs. Richard Holliday (with Alicia Atout)
Weapons of Mass Destruction Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
Inaugural Women’s World Featherweight Championship: Taya Valkyrie vs. Holidead
nZo vs. Lince Dorado
The debut of the Samoan Swat Team vs. Los Aztecas
World Tag Team Championship 3-Way: Hustle & Power vs. Von Erichs vs. 5150
National Openweight Champion Alex Kane vs. a mystery victim/opponent
Matt Cross vs. ACH
World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed vs. Arez vs. KC Navarro
Brittany Blake vs. Zoey Skye
Microman vs. Mini Abismo Negro
Plus, appearances from Davey Richards, Cesar Duran, Gangrel, The Sandman, Blue Meanie and Savio Vega.
Bret Hart says he enjoys mentoring members of the AEW roster, but considers himself happily retired from the wrestling world.
The Excellence of Execution spoke with Mike Dagger for Lucha Libre Online earlier this week. During the conversation, Hart spoke about rumors of him coming out of retirement to appear for All Elite Wrestling.
Hart says he has no plans to appear on television any time soon. After a decades-long career that kept him on the road several hundred days per year, he’s making up for lost time and spending as much time at home as possible.
As he’s said before, he wants to be remembered as a wrestler and is not interested in being a manager or authority figure.
“I’m happy retired,” said Hart. “I’m a ‘home’ guy now. There’s not a lot I can do in wrestling. People say, ‘What are you going to do? What would you do in AEW?’ It’s like, what would I do? Referee? Manage? Be a chairman? I don’t want to be remembered that way. I want to be remembered as a wrestler.”
Bret Hart & AEW
Bret Hart remains a hero to countless wrestlers throughout the industry. He’s considered one of the greatest performers of all time and his legacy is still celebrated to this day.
Hart says he keeps in touch with several wrestlers on the AEW roster. They call him and text him asking for advice about their matches and their careers.He enjoys giving back to the business in this way, but enjoys his time at home.
“I’d be happy to help a lot of them,” he said about AEW talent. “.. and I know a lot of them, and I talk to them, a lot of them sometimes, by text or on the phone, and people call me up and I always got advice and I can always pinpoint little things that can make a difference in a guy’s match or something he’s doing but, I’m a guy that likes being home. So, they’re gonna have to call me on the phone.”
He wishes he could still travel like he used to, but it’s getting harder for him to fly around the country at this stage in life. That said, he respects AEW as an organization and will continue mentoring people remotley.
“There’s a lot of things I would love to be part of with AEW and what they’re doing. I know they’ve got some great wrestlers there and I have a lot of respect for the organization and all that but right now, I’m happy at home.”
Certain words are not supposed to be used on WWE television. In fact, WWE has developed its own alternate verbiage for wrestlers and announcers.
They’re not wrestlers, they’re Superstars and Sports Entertainers.
They’re not fans, they’re members of the WWE Universe.
It’s not a belt, it’s a championship. (A belt holds up your pants!)
It’s not a title match, it’s a championship opportunity.
Earlier this week, United States Champion Theory competed on Raw. His title was not on the line and the match was referred to as a “non-title championship contender’s match.”
Another one of these banned phrases has come to light. According to Dave Meltzer, “non-title” has been added to WWE’s banned words list.
“Well, they can’t say non-title. That’s a banned term.”
– Wrestling Observer Radio
Instead of non-title, these contests will be referred to as “Championship Contender’s” matches in the future.
WWE Banned Words
WWE has a long history of “banned words” and instituting its own jargon. Vince McMahon is a master of promotion and branding, so he knows what he is doing in this respect.
A few times over the past few years, there have been leaks of lists WWE has sent to media partners about what not to say when discussing the product.
This “banned words” list is not set in stone, but included “insider” terms such as kayfabe, babyface, heel, job/jobber, house show, push and “over.” There are also certain words related to violence, including head shot, trauma and curb stomp.
All Elite Wrestling is bringing additional AEW programming to TBS.
On Tuesday, select AEW fans received a survey announcing details of the show.
The reality series will follow AEW talent and document their lives on the road. The official synopsis reads:
“AEW’s top performers are ushering in a new behind-the-scenes wrestling series like no other… Every episode will track our core cast on the road at AEW events as they try to hold onto the titles they have or win back the ones they’ve lost, with everything culminating at the biggest Pay-Per-View event of the year.
They all hope to walk away champions, but there aren’t enough belts for everybody. Heroes will rise, villains will fall, champions will be crowned… and with more access, more star talent, and more drama than ever before, we’ll see it all through the eyes of the biggest names in the company.”
AEW is asking for feedback on what the show should be title. Suggested names for the new AEW reality show on TBS include:
Former WWE Superstar Harland (Parker Boudreaux) wont have trouble finding work in the wrestling business.
Boudreaux was released from WWE last week after an underwhelming stint in NXT.
The 6’4″ heavyweight came into the company with a lot of fan fare. During an interview with Bleacher Report last year, Boudreaux said he gets compared to Brock Lesnar frequently. “I probably get that one every day,” he said.
Lesnar’s former advocate, Paul Heyman, also touted his potential.
As a former member of the NXT roster, Boudreaux is likely bound by a 30-day non-compete clause. He would be able to appear for other companies starting in late May.
Kazuchika Okada says the upcoming Forbidden Door pay-per-view wouldn’t be much of a super-show without him.
The reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion spoke about the upcoming PPV at Sunday’s press conference following NJPW Dontaku.
Okada says he does not know what the format will be when AEW and NJPW make history on June 26th. It might be AEW stars vs. NJPW stars, it might be talent from both companies teaming up together. What matters is that he’s a part of it.
“Well, of course I don’t know what shape that event will take, but the fact that we’re having this combined event at all means I should absolutely be a part of it,” he said (via NJPW1972.com).
“There wouldn’t be much point in having a supershow like that if I’m not there.”
– Kazuchika Okada
Okada feels that New Japan Pro Wrestling will gain new fans from working with AEW, just like some NJPW fans will discover All Elite Wrestling.
Okada joked that he is certainly aware of AEW. He complimented them for having world class talent. However, there is always the opportunity to reach new fans.
There are still many people who have never heard of AEW. He said that cuts both ways, and there are many people who will be seeing him for the first time, as well.
“Whatever happens, I’m fully confident that those people will be leaving knowing how good I am. No matter who it might be, I think that a lot of people will get fired up, draw on that energy. There’ll be fans counting the days, not sleeping the night before, and that’s great. But anything more specific, I can’t really say at this point.”
He added that he plans on walking into Chicago as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
Leon Ruff made his debut for All Elite Wrestling at the May 1st AEW Dark tapings from Universal Studios in Orlando, FL.
Ruff previously wrestled for WWE, starting in late 2019. He worked primarily as enhancement talent on the main roster until he signed with the company in late 2020.
Ruff joined NXT and feuded with Johnny Gargano. That program saw him win the NXT North American championship, which he held for 25 days.
You can see video of Leon Ruff scoring a shocking win over Johnny Gargano to win the NXT North American Championship HERE.
WrestleMania Backlash 2022 is the next premium live event offering by WWE.
This is the 17th installment of this event, which was previously known as simply, Backlash. As the name implies, WrestleMania Backlash will feature a continuation of many feuds and storylines from WrestleMania 38.
Much of the card features WrestleMania rematches, but that doesn’t mean this is a show to skip. With 7 matches confirmed, WrestleMania Backlash is shaping up to be a show worth your time.
Here’s the current match card for WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022:
The Bloodline vs. Drew McIntyre & RK-Bro
This match was originally scheduled to be a tag title unification match between SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos and Raw Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle).
Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre were later added to the match, making it a six-man tag.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey (“I Quit” Match)
Ronda Rousey challenged Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s title at WrestleMania, but came up short. Flair got the win after a ref bump and Rousey getting distracted. At WrestleMania Backlash, the only way to win is to make your opponent surrender.
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins lost clean to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, but Rhodes had the element of surprise on his side. The American Nightmare knew who to train for, while Rollins’ opponent remained a mystery until the last moment. Rollins seeks to even the score at Backlash, while Rhodes aims to prove his WrestleMania victory was no fluke.
Edge vs. AJ Styles
Edge and AJ Styles had a great match at WrestleMania was well-received. This one should be no different. The Phenomenal One hopes to score a win here, but Edge now has Damien Priest at his side.
Bobby Lashley vs Omos
Lashley got the surprise victory over Omos at WrestleMania. However, there has been a significant change since then. MVP has since turned on Lashley and aligned himself with the giant, Omos. Could MVP be the difference maker at WrestleMania Backlash?
Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss
Former friends are now enemies. Happy Corbin once considered Madcap Moss his right-hand man. Corbin blames moss for his loss to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania and looks to break free of him once and for all at WrestleMania Backlash.
We will update this page as more matches are announced.
When is WrestleMania Backlash ?
WrestleMania Backlash takes place Sunday, May 8th from Providence, Rhode Island at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
The premium live event starts at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. WWE typically airs a “kickoff” pre-show one hour before the main card begins.
How to Watch
WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022 will stream live on Peacock in the United States and on the WWE Network internationally.
Maria Kenellis-Bennett looks to change the landscape of women’s wrestling with Women’s Wrestling Army.
Her new all-women’s promotion has its first show this Sunday, May 1st from the Fete Music Hall in Providence, RI (tickets).
The veteran performer turned promoter spoke with SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay this week about what makes Women’s Wrestling Army so unique, the challenges of starting a company, plans to crown the first WWA champion and much more.
Below you’ll find the complete interview, as well as highlights from the half-hour discussion.
Maria says she was really nervous at first and questioned how the promotion would be received. There are already a lot of great women’s promotions out there, but she’s excited to give women’s wrestlers another place to work and show what they can do.
She’s been blown away by the reception so far. She’s received support from legends including Mickie James, Lita, Gail Kim, Christy Hemme and Renee Paquette.
Women’s wrestling has come a long way, but it’s still a male-dominated industry, if you look at television time, company executives, employees, camera people, etc.
She doesn’t consider herself a great wrestler, but she can be a great promoter. She spoke about legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick. He always focused on building a team, not just collecting talent. She shares that philosophy.
What is the most challenging aspect of starting a wrestling promotion?
Maria joked, “Flights. I hate flights! I hate them. (Laughs) Um, gosh, and luckily, Bobby Cruz has been amazing, he did all the flights. But, just figuring that situation out, because everybody’s got their own lives, you know, girls are coming in from here and there and everywhere, they’ve got shows the day before. Taya’s a champion, but she’s literally flying from Mexico to do our show on Sunday. So, that’s tough, the logistics of everything.”
Aside from coordinating travel logistics, Maria says it’s been a challenge to narrow down which talent they can work with.
“Beyond that, it’s controlling my own urge to have 50 people on the show, and realizing there is a budget and I cannot be like, ‘She’s great and I want her here!’ so that’s tough too. Bobby [Cruz] has to temper that a lot with me, of me wanting to get far too many people, and he’s like no, that’s not possible, so that’s really tough for me, and just accepting that it’s not gonna be perfect, we’re just going to do our best.”
Profit Sharing with Talent
Women’s Wrestling Army is unique in that it will be sharing profits from shows with talent.
“I didn’t want to own this company. I didn’t want to be a promoter. The only way I felt comfortable doing it was this way.”
Maria added, “Essentially, they own the success, they own the failures, they own their own bumps and that to me is the most important thing.”
She hopes this experiment will become a model that other companies can emulate.
“I really want this to be an example moving forward, that we can profit share with the talent, we can give them a piece of the pie and it will be successful.”
After the first show takes place this Sunday, they hope to release it for streaming purchase within a week. If their production team is unable to get the show edited and released by then, they will at least have a teaser video to show people what they have in store.
Aside from the live wrestling event, they’re also filming documentary footage to give fans an inside look at “how the sausage is made.”
Up for the Challenge
Right now, the focus is on the first even this Sunday. Eventually, they will crown a Women’s Wrestling Army Champion.
The first WWA show will feature champions from other promotions. Maria has no problem with the talent showing off the belts they’ve earned elsewhere.
When they do crown the inaugural WWA Champion, her goal is to hold a Tournament of Champions featuring women’s champions from other promotions.
Building a wrestling company is a tall order, but Maria Kenellis-Bennett is ready for the challenge.
“Will it be controversial and different? Of course, but I do hard things, that’s fine.”
Alexa Bliss is eager to return to WWE. She’s just “wain’ on that call.”
The new Mrs. Cabrera spoke with “Street journalist” Adam Glyn this week and spoke about her recent wedding to Ryan Cabrera, when she expects to return to WWE and how she feels about Vince McMahon.
Bliss got married earlier this month at Kempa Villa in Palm Desert, California. Two weeks later, she’s still on a ‘high’ and wishes she could relive the day over and over again. She also wishes she could go on multiple honeymoon vacations, “but no, I gotta’ go back to work.”
Alexa Bliss has been off WWE television for months. As one of the most popular Superstars on the entire roster, there’s an army of fans wondering when she’ll be back in action.
According to Bliss, she’s been ready for over two months.
“Hopefully soon. I’m just waitin’ on the call. Been ready to go since before Saudi Arabia.”
– Alexa Bliss
Elsewhere during the conversation, Bliss named Trish Stratus as her dream opponent and said she was most starstruck when meeting The Rock.
She told a funny anecdote about her most embarrassing moment in the ring:
“My shorts were on backwards and Mickie James had to tell me in the ring that my shorts were on backwards, and during a commercial break, I had to run back to Gorilla and change them out and run back out.”
She also revealed she still gets nervous around WWE boss Vince McMahon, who she calls amazing, incredible and super-personable. “But obviously, yah, you should be. He has such an amazing presence. It’s always a little nerve-racking talking to Vince, but he’s great.”
