Former four-time WWE Women’s champion, Lita, commented recently about the possibility of wrestling in the WWE past her one-on-one encounter with Mickie James at WWE Evolution, stating that “you never know.”

If it were to pan out that Lita wanted to continue wrestling, it would be interesting to see where that trajectory takes her. The WWE Hall Of Famer has evidently been keeping up to date with the current product as she has an unabahsed admiration for one NXT superstar in particular.

Speaking with The Sun, Lita was effusive with her praise for Bianca Belair.

“Down at the performance center, all the guys at NXT are in the ring every day and in class,” Lita said. “They have everything they need to learn and there is so much talent in regards to physical ability and thinking about their character. But for someone to have that intangible star factor… Bianca Belair, along with some other the others there, is very talented.”

Lita would highlight Bianca Belair’s “great attitude,” and note how “physically gifted” she is before confessing “[…] when I very first saw her she [Belair] had that intangible star quality that I just want to see more.”

Commenting on Belair’s unique offense, where she utilizes her hair as a weapon, Lita observed, “It’s crazy, no-one has ever used their hair as a weapon. It’s so cool how she thought of that and how it works. She sure has that star quality and uniqueness.”

New Japan Pro Wrestling Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, recently shared his concerns over the Americanization of NJPW’s essence and aesthetic as the company continues to grow in the west. Since then, news has come from the recent Wrestling Observer highlighting some concern and confusion over New Japan’s future business strategies.

It’s reported that there is, in fact, an entirely new regime in charge. Not just Harold Meij as the new President, but others that have been placed into prime positions within the company, courtesy of the new President.

These individuals, who have found themselves in a lofty position within New Japan, apparently don’t have any background whatsoever in wrestling, and it has been noted that the etiquette within NJPW’s top tier has shifted accordingly. They have replaced popular long-time officials that the wrestlers on their roster trusted and respected.

Questions

This dramatic shake-up has supposedly forced a number of wrestlers to question why a company that has been experiencing such burgeoning global success would undertake such a dramatic change to their core business team. Many wonder what could be gained from replacing those who had helped helm the company to its current success.

Naturally, the agenda remains unchanged as they continue to expand the business outside of Japan and proceed with their aggressive Western expansion, but it has been highlighted there is an undeniable concern.

“The Real Deal. That’s What I Want To Show Them”

Tanahashi noted, “I want to show that Made In Japan feel. With NJPW World there are so many fans now that watch our cards live or near live. I want to bring them what they see streaming on their devices in person right in front of them,” he said, before recalling, “It reminds me of when WWE came to Japan and I was at the show. It would have been 2002 maybe? The Rock was definitely there (March 1 2002, Yokohama Arena). They had a Japanese ring announcer translating what the English announcer said. Whenever that guy spoke he got booed.”

“They were saying ‘forget the translation, we want to see the authentic American product’ I think. I think there are American fans that want the same from NJPW. Not something rearranged for ‘American tastes’ but the real deal. That’s what I want to show them.”

What do you make of this? Is this corporate upheaval going to have a major impact on the NJPW product going forward? Is this something to be concerned about as a fan?

The WWE has been busy putting plans in place for their SmackDown 1000, which takes place October 16th in Washington D.C. They have already announced a stellar amount of talent will be present and returning. Rey Mysterio, The Undertaker, and the entirety of Evolution (including Batista) are all scheduled to be at the show.

One name on that list, however, is the man who helped popularize the word that would become the name of the show itself: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Locked Down In London

According to Dave Meltzer, the WWE are working hard, trying to secure an appearance by “The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment” at their landmark event.

It’s worth noting, however, that The Rock is currently in London with Jason Statham, filming ‘Hobbs & Shaw’, a spin-off to the mega-successful ‘Fast & Furious’ movie franchise. The movie is currently slated to release on July 26th 2019.

With that in mind, unless an appearance doesn’t conflict with any sort of scheduling commitment, it might be difficult, if not impossible, for The Brahma Bull to finally return home to the blue brand come October 16th.

Double Main Event

The current card for that night’s historic SmackDown event is being advertised with a double main event (as per the Capitol One Arena website):

• AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe & The Miz
• Charlotte Flair, Asuka & Naomi vs. Becky Lynch, and The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)

The card is, naturally, subject to change. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz, and Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton were originally scheduled but have subsequently been altered.

It was recently reported that the WWE had secured a number of new trademarks, mostly for show names that related to their old rivals, WCW.

Though it wasn’t apparent at the time why the WWE had suddenly decided to lock down a number of show names – as well as a number of trademarks relating to NXT talent – it has been noted by the Wrestling Observer that it comes down to Major League Wrestling (MLW) and their recent War Games event.

The WWE weren’t happy about MLW’s ability to trademark and use such a recognized name and stipulation for one of their recent shows, which would explain the WWE’s sudden eagerness to gain the trademarks they recently obtained.

Recent Trademarks

WWE filed trademarks for the following names, which were almost all exclusively past WCW events:

• Saturday Night’s Main Event on 9/24
• WCW Saturday Night on 9/24
• WCW Thunder on 9/24
• NWO New World Order on 9/21
• All Star Wrestling on 9/21
• WCW Monday Nitro on 9/21
• WWE Hidden Gems on 9/21
• World Championship Wrestling on 9/21
• Halloween Havoc on 9/21
• Fall Brawl on 9/21
• Starrcade on 9/14

Many NXT superstars also found themselves with newly associated trademarks with the WWE, including Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford, Otis Dozovic, Tucker Knight, Adam Cole, Danny Burch, and Lars Sullivan.

Steve Borden, better known to wrestling fans as Sting, wrestled for TNA between 2003 and 2014 after his legendary tenure in WCW. WCW would be bought by their main competitors the WWE, then-WWF, in 2001.

During a conversation with Bill Apter, Sting reminisced on his negotiations with the WWE prior to signing with TNA, as well as Vince McMahon’s reaction when told he would be heading to Total Nonstop Action.

“I had probably had three… on three separate occasions, I had a conversation with Vince [McMahon] and I was close on a couple of those occasions to leaving [WCW],” Sting remembered.

He explained that a primary reason he would never leave the WWE’s primary rival was that “WCW always ended up giving me what I asked for as far as…it wasn’t just financial – it was how much I work. I wanted to have it be in black and white, contractually. ‘I want to work X number of days and blah, blah, blah, only a certain number of house shows that I want to do throughout the year,’ so they gave me what I wanted.”

“That’s Exactly What He Said…”

When Sting confessed to Vince that he was bound for TNA, he can still remember Vince McMahon’s reaction.

“I’ll never forget having that conversation with Vince,” Sting recalled. “He’s on the phone with me and he says, ‘you know, Sting,’ he said, ‘I find this hard to believe. The legacy that you leave behind and the thought of you going to TNA is just, blah.’”

“That’s exactly what he said, ‘blah!’ And so then you fast forward to me coming back to do WrestleMania [31], I sent out a text to Vince and Triple H, and I simply said, ‘have you guys turned the page on Sting yet?’ because I honestly didn’t know. Did they turn the page? Are they done or would they consider a run up there?”

Sting would finally wrestle for the WWE at Wrestlemania 31. He would face off against Triple H in an eventual loss to the King Of Kings.

H/T to WrestlingINC for the transcribed quotes

Lil’ Miss Bliss, Alexa Bliss, was asked a pretty direct question during a recent interview. The former WWE Raw Women’s Champion didn’t take long to respond.

When asked by the host her favorite opponent is, Bliss paused momentarily before replying, “My favorite opponent so far has to have been Becky Lynch.”

“I had my first rivalry with her when coming into the main roster and it was a lot of fun,” she explained. “And I feel like, without Becky being such a great counterpart I wouldn’t have been able to be the villain that I knew I could be.”

“It’s Been A Long Time Coming For Becky”

It was reported last month that Alexa was a big fan of Becky’s “attitude change,” admitting that she felt “it’s [turning heel] been a long time coming for Becky.”

“I think that attitude change is what she’s needed,” Bliss noted. “The attitude change really allows her to show that. Where, before, she was restricted. I think it just fits her far better.”

WWE Evolution

Despite having suffered from numbness in her left arm, Alexa Bliss has been cleared for “minimal contact.” She is still scheduled to face off against Trish Stratus in a one-on-one match at WWE Evolution. Evolution takes place October 28th from Uniondale, New York.

Surprised by her choice of favorite opponent? Who would you have thought, if not Becky Lynch?

New Japan Pro Wrestling has released the full card for their upcoming event, King Of Pro Wrestling. The event takes place on October 8th in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.

• IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kenny Omega vs. Cody vs. Kota Ibushi
• G1 Briefcase w/Wrestle Kingdom Title Shot: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White
• IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match: KUSHIDA vs. Marty Scurll
• IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title Match: Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Jushin Thunder Liger and Tiger Mask
• EVIL vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
• Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano and Roppongi 3K vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, BUSHI and a mystery partner
• Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto and Will Ospreay vs. Minoru Suzuki, Taichi and Takashi Iizuka
• The Young Bucks, Hangman Page and Chase Owens vs. Guerillas of Destiny, Bad Luck Fale and Taiji Ishimori
• Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma vs. Juice Robinson and Toa Henare

Rare Triple Threat

NJPW has previously only had one triple threat match for the IWGP Heavyweight title. Throw in Kenny Omega’s Golden Lovers partner, Kota Ibushi, into the mix alongside current NWA champion, Cody, and you’ve got yourself an intriguing main event steeped in further Bullet Club complications – one that bucks the trend previously set by NJPW.

It was only recently that Cody and Omega were able to accept each other, despite their differences, after a brutal civil war over leadership of the Bullet Club at NJPW’s G1 Climax Special, this past July.

Reinserting the newly crowned NJPW US champion into the IWGP Heavyweight title scene at this juncture is an interesting decision – one that could have a reverberating impact within New Japan going forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYi1aGCM8Hc

Which match stands out the most for you? What, in your opinion could steal the show?

There have been a lot of unsubstantiated rumors recently regarding the status of New Japan Pro Wrestling stable, Los Ingobernables De Japon. The crux of the speculation was that a new member was in coming to make up for former-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion, Hiromu Takahashi suffering an unfortunate injury that has sidelined him since July 7th.

Today, NJPW has released an official video to their YouTube channel. The incredibly slick video features a suited Naito sitting at a bar. He sips at a glass of whisky as he regales the fans with an update on LIJ’s future plans.

He starts off with a reminder of what he said in the ring on April 29th in Kumamoto, “Of course staying the same and not giving up are important. But, I think will to change, determination to change and bravery to step forward are important, too.”

Naito confirms he was actually referring to himself and his personal evolution with that comment – not his group’s growth.

“LIJ Are About More Than Ever”

The former IWGP World Heavyweight champion stressed that “We would like to let people know that Tetsuya Naito and Los Ingobernables de Japon are about more than ever.”

He discussed Takahashi’s injury and his inability to defend the belt, and subsequent stripping of it before teasing a new member;

“We “Los Ingobernables de Japon” would like to wait for his return and say ‘tranquilo.’ But, we’d rather step forward than just wait. 5, not 4 of us would wait for Hiromu’s return,” he stated. “In other words, new ‘Los Ingobernables de Japon’ would wait for Hiromu’s return.

On October 8th, at Ryogoku Sumo arena. We will introduce a new ‘pareja [partner].’ Stay tuned.”

Who do you think the mysterious member ‘X’ could be?

It’s come out that the WWE has filed for a number of trademarks last week. The majority of them are for previous wrestling shows, mostly associated with their former-rivals, World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

WWE filed trademarks for the following names:

• Saturday Night’s Main Event on 9/24
• WCW Saturday Night on 9/24
• WCW Thunder on 9/24
• NWO New World Order on 9/21
• All Star Wrestling on 9/21
• WCW Monday Nitro on 9/21
• WWE Hidden Gems on 9/21
• World Championship Wrestling on 9/21
• Halloween Havoc on 9/21
• Fall Brawl on 9/21
• Starrcade on 9/14

It’s worth noting that the WWE ran a special show entitled Starrcade last year in Greensboro, North Carolina. That show was done under the SmackDown brand, specifically. It was the first Starrcade event under the WWE banner and the first for 17 years.

Starrcade is returning once more this November 24th – once again as a special house show, only this time as a co-branded event with Raw and SmackDown. It takes place at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

NXT Trademarks

It wasn’t just event names that were trademarked. Many superstars also found themselves with newly associated trademarks with the WWE, including Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford, Otis Dozovic, Tucker Knight, Adam Cole, Danny Burch, and Lars Sullivan.

Though unclear as to what this could mean, having the WWE lock down trademark rights for this group of talent is probably a good sign that the company has future plans for them.

The inaugural NXT North American Champion, Adam Cole, recently appeared on Edge & Christian’s show, E&C’s Pod Of Awesomeness. During the course of the show, Cole discussed his stable – a group comprised of indie darlings, the Undisputed Era – as well as his real life friendships and relationships with the wrestlers that comprise the rest of the faction. 

He also mentioned that Bobby Fish is ready to return to action, and highlighted that fellow former ROH-alumni Roderick Strong was a natural fit for the group when he eventually joined. 

One subject in particular struck a chord with Cole: the positive crowd reaction to Undisputed Era.

Cheering The Bad Guys

Cole and co. play bad guys within a heel faction. Despite this, they have been receiving major fan adoration from those in attendance, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by those in Undisputed Era. 

“We have come to terms with the fact that when we walk through the curtain, we’re probably going to get a positive response,” Cole admitted. “[…] we used to think, okay, what can we do on television or how can we walk out, how can we get the people to hate us, kind of from the gate?’”

The resolution is surprising, as he confessed that, “[…] we’ve kind of embraced the idea, ‘okay, they’re going to be excited to see us, but once the match starts, we’re going to really get them over time to root for our babyface opponents’ and we do run into that, which is good.” 

Cole added, “It’s more focusing on what story we can tell or how we can present it. Once the bell rings and over time getting people to really, really want our babyface opponents to win throughout the match almost. And on television, obviously, we talk a big game, we ruin a bunch of matches, which helps us get a bunch of heat.” 

You can hear the entire interview with Adam Cole (BAY BAY!) below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY0K66WUIg0

WWE Super Show-Down takes place October 6th from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. The WWE advertising machine has been in full swing in support for the show, hyping the event and building towards it over the past few weeks.

One person, however, isn’t happy with the advertising that has taken place.

SmackDown Live Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch, has taken obvious issue with the campaign that the WWE is running, highlighting, what she considers, to be an obvious omission:

https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1046517778809856000

Despite the champion not being featured, the woman she bested recently at Hell In A Cell is featured prominently, as is the WWE Raw Women’s Champion, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.

But no women’s championship representation for the blue brand?

Super Show-Down

WWE Championship Match: AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe

#1 Contenders Match: The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match: Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy

WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day (c) vs. The Bar

Triple H (w/Shawn Michaels) vs. The Undertaker (w/Kane)

John Cena and Bobby Lashley vs. Elias and Kevin Owens

The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre

The Bella Twins and RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. The Riott Squad

Asuka and Naomi vs. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce

Former four-time WWE Women’s champion and WWE Hall Of Famer, Lita, appeared recently on Planeta Wrestling in the build-up to her return match at WWE Evolution. She is scheduled to take on Mickie Jame in a one-on-one encounter.

When asked whether there were any plans for future matches in the WWE, or if her appearance at Evolution marks the end of her in-ring days, Lita replied:

“If you follow WWE at all, I think the one thing that is consistent is: you never know.”

She highlighted that “As a fan and as a performer, I kind of look at it [returning to wrestling] as a mom,” before stating that she’s “happy with my second chapter, my chapter outside of wrestling,”

Despite this, Lita couldn’t help but admit that “[…] at the same time, every time I do go back, it feels like home and does feel like you jump right back in.”

“You go in with it being the idea of a one-time thing, but it’s very, very likely and potentially – the excitement of it or the crowd’s response of it could turn it into something more than a one-off. Like my life in general, I just take it all as it comes. So, we’ll see.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=150&v=_LkAjbXSlrE

Would you like to see Lita back for another run in the WWE, post-Evolution? Who would you like to see her feud with if she did?

It’s become a bit of a running joke with interviewers and podcasters whenever it comes to Cody’s lack of a surname. Chris Jericho, in particular, has enjoyed referring to him as Cody ‘Don’t-Call-Him-Rhodes.’

Many believed that the lack of a surname, let alone one that carries so much clout within the wrestling industry, was due to some sort of WWE ownership over the name.

However, in a recent Twitter exchange with a fan, Cody cleared the air on the topic, providing an emphatic answer. He declared that he could actually “use it [Rhodes] whenever,” before explaining that “I will not be using it any time in the foreseeable future.”

He ended the explanation with a short but sweet assertion, stating, “I prefer just Cody.”

I can use it whenever. I will not be using it any time in the foreseeable future though…whether that’s w/roh, WWE, njpw, anywhere…

I prefer just Cody. https://t.co/aVIcsENR5I

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 28, 2018

“Revolutions Aren’t Just One Night”

In another Cody update, “The American Nightmare” provided a tease as to the potential future of All In.

He has spoken previously about what he would do differently if an All In 2 event were to take place, and has added further fuel to the fire in a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, entitled “ALL US | Epilogue.”

In it, he addresses the fans’ clamoring for another event:

“There is a question of whether we do it again. And the best answer I can give you is, it could have been a great night of matches at Chicago, sure, that’s all it could have been. But it felt like more, it felt like a revolution. Revolutions aren’t just one night.”

With Fighting Spirit Unleashed about to take place this Sunday at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, njpw1972.com have been running a series of interviews with some of their top stars before they arrive on American soil.

Today, NJPW has released an informative interview with New Japan’s Ace, and G1 Climax 28 winner, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Tanahashi has been vocal recently over his lack of respect for Bullet Club leader, Kenny Omega, and has openly called out wrestlers he wants to face in the build to Wrestle Kingdom 13, including Okada, who was also recently interviewed.

This discussion is no different, with Tanahashi openly admitting frustration over New Japan’s booking decisions with their last American foray, March’s Strong Style Evolved event. That night was headlined by The Young Bucks versus Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi.

Strong Style Devolved

Looking back, Tanahashi remarked that he “recorded a podcast afterward with KUSHIDA. I think he’d had a few drinks and was mad, asked ‘Was that really a New Japan main event?!?’”

Tanahashi admits he was frustrated as well, confessing, “That was the booking that the company felt was best for the American fans. I wasn’t so much thinking ‘that’s the wrong move’, but I did think ‘maybe it’s time to reflect on where the rest of us are lacking’. We weren’t in a position where our programs were main event worthy,” he explained, “and I think the responsibility for that fell on us somewhat.”

“The Real Deal. That’s What I Want To Show Them”

He then broached an issue that seems to have been weighing on his mind – one that is as candid as it is critical:

“I really felt then that if NJPW was going to keep going to America, we needed to stop trying to alter things to try and make them more American. It should be New Japan Pro Wrestling, as is, in the States. We really need to show that ‘Made In Japan’ aspect, I think.”

Juxtaposing this with a memory of watching the WWE in 2002, Tanahashi said, “I want to show that Made In Japan feel. With NJPW World there are so many fans now that watch our cards live or near live. I want to bring them what they see streaming on their devices in person right in front of them,” he said, before recalling, “It reminds me of when WWE came to Japan and I was at the show. It would have been 2002 maybe? The Rock was definitely there (March 1 2002, Yokohama Arena). They had a Japanese ring announcer translating what the English announcer said. Whenever that guy spoke he got booed.”

“They were saying ‘forget the translation, we want to see the authentic American product’ I think. I think there are American fans that want the same from NJPW. Not something rearranged for ‘American tastes’ but the real deal. That’s what I want to show them.”

You can read the full interview here.

What do you think of The Ace’s latest thoughts? Agree or disagree with his take on New Japan’s recent US booking decisions?

Joey Janela took to Twitter in order to provide fans with an update to the injury he recently sustained during a Game Changer Wrestling event. The match took place September 21st in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

https://twitter.com/JANELABABY/status/1045069791898284034

He details the moment the injury occurred, reflecting on hitting a crossbody dive onto his opponent, Psicosis. Janela highlights that the move is one he has “hit a hundred times, without issue.”

“I just came down wrong. Bad. On my left leg. Badly contorted my left knee. It bent into a position that a human’s leg should never bend in.”

“It’s A Long List Of Things…”

The Bad Boy then informed fans that had received his MRI results and that, sadly, “it’s a long list of things.”

“I completely tore and destroyed my PCL. I completely tore and destroyed my MCL. There’s an impaction fracture in the one of the bones in my knee that I don’t know how to pronounce,” he joked, before pressing on, “[…] I have a mild bone contusion in another bone in my knee. A sprain, a fibular collateral ligament. A partial tear of another ligament. Patellofemoral ligament. I have a ACL sprain and a small knee infusion.”

“That’s about 8 things. I’m going to need surgery, it seems like,” he divulged. “I talked to a few specialists, and I’m going to be out for a long while. I’m going to disappear for a bit.”

Joey then promised, “When I come back 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 months from now, I’m going to be better than ever. Thank you.”

https://twitter.com/badbadbrain/status/1043361240859533314

AJ Styles is the current WWE Champion, proudly representing SmackDown Live ever since he bested Jinder Mahal for the belt back on November 7th, 2017.

‘The Phenomenal One’ has become a beloved superstar. Bringing his indie mentality and aesthetic, he translated them into a WWE style that catapulted him into the main event since debuting as a surprise entrant during the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Given how established he has become within the WWE – to the point that SmackDown is referred to as “The House That AJ Styles Build” – it’s hard to imagine that AJ Styles feared he would never be a part of the WWE at all.

“They Didn’t Need An AJ Styles”

Styles spoke with Daily Star Online during the WWE 2K19 press events that took place at the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando, Florida. During the interview, AJ admitted that he had assumed he and the WWE “just weren’t a fit” and that they would “never work together.”

“I learnt to live with it,” he said, before reflecting on how he felt at the time, “I just assumed they didn’t need an AJ Styles.”

“Thankfully I was wrong. It took me a while, but when I got here the timing was perfect.”

A Phenomenal Pre-WWE Career

AJ Styles had a storied career long before he was revealed as the third entrant into the Royal Rumble.

Finding success within TNA and a worldwide independent scene, AJ would develop his in-ring style and continuously hone his craft. This dedication saw him win numerous titles across the world, including a run representing Bullet Club as the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

It was at the height of his independent success that AJ Styles decided to come back Stateside and sign with the WWE.

Looking back, Styles contemplates the journey that led him to hold the title for 322 days (at the time of writing), “It’s been a rollercoaster ride, and you just have to ride that rollercoaster.”

Current PROGRESS World Champion, WALTER, has been surrounded by rumors recently regarding the WWE’s alleged interest in the 6’4” Austrian.

Sitting down with Mirror Sport, WALTER addressed the WWE speculation head-on. The interview would also see him fielding a plethora of questions about his wrestling style, the growing popularity of European wrestling, his upcoming championship match at Wembley, and his challenger, Tyler Bate.

“I don’t know if I mentioned this but being a part of the Raw or SmackDown roster is nothing I am interested in. I don’t want to live in the US,” the Austrian admitted.

Walter Praises NXT

His opinion on NXT, however, is vastly different compared to his dismissive thoughts on WWE’s main roster product.

“I really like NXT though, I think it’s a great product, filled with the best talent in the world and is focused on competition in the ring, which is something I enjoy,” he admitted, before cryptically adding, “I don’t want to say it will never happen because in wrestling things change so quick.”

Addressing his reputation and ever-growing fan awareness over who he is, his ability, and style, WALTER had this to say when asked about his worldwide main event success:

“I would say it’s timing and work ethic that I carry with me. I was always surrounded by hardworking and focused people. When I perform I don’t think selfishly, I think about the whole thing and trying to carry that forward. I do my best for company and the fans. It’s a big part of what brought me to where I am now.”

WALTER defends his PROGRESS World Championship against Tyler Bate this Sunday in an eagerly anticipated showdown. The match takes place at Wembley Arena, London.

Many fans consider Finn Balor vs Brock Lesnar to be a dream match that has yet to happen within the WWE. Turns out the Demon King himself also feels that way.

Speaking with Kenny McIntosh for ‘Inside The Ropes,’ Finn Balor had a lot to say when asked about a possible matchup between himself and ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar.

“Well, I don’t make that decision. I’m just very low on the totem pole with regards to who makes the matches. But obviously, I would love that Brock Lesnar match more than anyone. I think it’s the classic David vs. Goliath match,” he explained.

“[Lesnar] Destroyed The Reputation Of The Title Belt”

Balor’s words became more critical towards Lesnar at this point, as he reflected on his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling – a time that saw the two in the same company, albeit for a short amount of time.

“I don’t think it’s very much like a match I’ve had before…or he has had before, maybe? You know, someone who had a very brief crossing of the paths within New Japan. When I was in Japan as a young boy, he was in Japan as a Champion. He was the New Japan Champion. And do you know what he did? He walked out on the company and destroyed the reputation of the title belt.”

Finn relates this experience with Lesnar’s recent Universal Championship run, observing that “He’s kinda doing the same thing again now [in the WWE].”

Big Fight Feel

Despite this, however, he can’t deny the big fight feel that Lesnar exudes every time his music hits and the Beast stalks towards the ring.

“Despite all this talk about ‘he’s not there every week,’ ‘he’s not the best.’ I know that when his music hits and he walks out, I’m invested and I’m intrigued to see what is gonna happen. There is certainly an aura that Brock carries that nobody else carries. That’s the title aura that I want to be in the ring with and I wanna feel and experience it.”

He explains that it’s the atmosphere, the electricity of the moment that he wants – something he has experienced before with Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules and wants to feel in a match against Lesnar.

“[…] That feeling that Brock gives you when he walks to the ring, and that aura that Roman has when he walks to the ring. They are the type of moments that this business is built on.”

What do you think? Is this a dream match you would want to see? If not, who would you prefer Finn wrestle against?

Following the end of last night’s SmackDown Live, Carmella provided an explanation as to why she recently changed her hair color.

Speaking with Kayla Braxon backstage, Carmella was asked by the interviewer, “Obviously there is a little bit of a change with you. What prompted this?”

The Princess of Staten Island replied, “[…] I just wanted to change. I mean, this is my natural hair color. I wanted to go back to my roots, no pun intended. I just wanted to change, so…I mean, it’s no surprise.”

Carmella then joked how everything she does causes people to talk about her and her actions, reminding viewers that she is still “Main Event ‘Mella” and that “‘Mella is Money,” after all.

“But in all seriousness,” she continued, “I guess it’s just the change. People are used to seeing me with blonde hair and so far the reactions have been pretty good, so I’ll take it. For right now, I’m going to say I’m going to stay dark, I’m going to stay brunette,” she declared.

“But you never know what happens. But I think, so far, brunettes have more fun.”

Carmella debuted the new look recently at a WWE Live Event in Tuscon, Arizona.

New Japan Pro Wrestling has just released the full card for their upcoming Fighting Spirit Unleashed event. The show takes place this Sunday, September 30th, at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.

The card is stacked across the board, with talents like ACH and Flip Gordon making a welcome return to the promotion. Then there are the two title matches slated, an IWGP Jr. Heavyweight semifinal confrontation, and a stellar main event that sees CHAOS members, Okada and Ishii, take on The Golden Lovers.

Destruction Fallout

Coming out of Destruction in Kobe, with the shocking turn of “Switchblade” Jay White and Gedo throwing the ranks of CHAOS into disarray, it will be interesting to see the two tag together – a la Gedo and the Rainmaker, Okada – as we witness the beginning of what Gedo called the “new era.” He promised it would be “coming soon,” and it appears it starts Sunday.

Additionally, we have the IWGP tag team championship on the line, pitting The Young Bucks against stablemate contenders, Guerrillas of Destiny. A lot has been made about this refreshed Bullet Club civil war, so there will no doubt be a big fight feel as these two teams clash with gold on the line.

Those who had concerns or reservations over a weak card can rest easy. Looking at the sheer talent involved, it’s clear that NJPW wants Fighting Spirit Unleashed to be something special.

Fighting Spirit Unleashed

• ACH, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Liger vs Roppongi 3k (Sho, Yoh, and Rocky Romero)
• Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian vs Hangman Page and Chase Owens
• Jeff Cobb, Chris Sabin, and Flip Gordon vs Hirooki Goto and Best Friends (Chuckie T and Berretta)
• Naito, Evil, and Sanada vs ZSJ and Killer Elite Squad
• Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kushida vs Gedo and Jay White
• IWGP Jr. Heavyweight tournament semifinal bout: Will Ospreay vs Marty Scurll
• IWGP Tag Team Championship: (c)Young Bucks vs Guerrillas of Destiny
• IWGP US Championship: (c) Juice Robinson vs Cody
• Main event: Okada and Ishii vs Omega and Ibushi

Which match are you looking forward to the most? Any that could steal the show?

As if NJPW’s new mini-documentary series, ‘The Recount,’ wasn’t enough of a statement of intent, New Japan has now begun releasing a series of news videos entitled ‘The Wire.’

The first of these videos, once again catering towards a growing Western audience, previews the upcoming battle between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. The rivals will face off once more this coming Sunday at Destruction in Kobe for the right to challenge Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 13.

The matchup sees Tanahashi defending his G1 briefcase as he attempts to best Okada, who fought Tanahashi to a time limit draw during the G1. If Okada were to come out victorious, he would claim the G1 briefcase and the contract inside guaranteeing a title match next January 4th.

When asked by a reporter, “When do you hope to face Okada for the contract?” Tanahashi was thoughtful in response: “When should it be? I want to face him before my nerve fades away.”

That honest reply has led to another match between these rivals, in a series that many consider the best NJPW feud in decades, if not ever.

With ‘The Recount’ and now ‘The Wire,’ as well as another new show called ‘Top 5,’ it doesn’t appear that New Japan will be slowing down their aggressive expansion West any time soon.

We have an update on the injury that has taken Alexa Bliss out of action. The former Raw Women’s Champion was pulled from this week’s Mixed Match Challenge tournament. She is also being kept of this weekend’s WWE live events. WWE stated that Bliss injured her arm during her match against Ronda Rousey at Hell in a Cell. The Wrestling Observer has provided an update on the situation and it’s not good.

The Observer reports, “Bliss is suffering from numbness in her left arm. The storyline reason behind it is the armbar Rousey used to beat her at Hell in a Cell.”

As of this writing, Alexa Bliss has been cleared for “minimal exertion.” She won’t be wrestling full matches until she gets checked out again. Numbness in the extremities is a sign of nerve damage, which has shortened the careers of many Superstars.

WWE Statement

The official WWE response to the injury was reported this past Tuesday by Cathy Kelley. She highlighted that “despite appearing on Monday Night Raw last night, Alexa Bliss woke up this morning and sought medical attention complaining about numbness in her left arm.”

WWE is using Ronda Rousey’s armbar finisher to explain Bliss’ arm injury. Cathy Kelley continued ,”As a reminder, Alexa had a match against the Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey this past Sunday night at WWE Hell In A Cell, where Alexa tapped to the champion’s armbar. We can officially announce at this time that Alexa Bliss has not been medically cleared to compete at the WWE Live Events this weekend or in tonight’s WWE Mixed Match Challenge.”

We hope that the injury Bliss is dealing with isn’t too serious and wish her a speedy recovery.

There is an interesting rumor going around about Ronda Rousey’s WrestleMania 35 opponent. For months, there has been speculation that the RAW Women’s Champion was on a collision course with SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte. Wrestling pundits and fans alike have speculated that this bout could be the first women’s match to ever headline a WrestleMania.

Rousey vs. Charlotte could still very well happen. However, another name has surfaced as a potential challenger to Ronda Rousey on April 7th, 2019. It would be the culmination of a longtime feud that even UFC could not make happen. The latest rumored opponent for Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania is none other than UFC Women’s Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. Cyborg called in to Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show and commented on the possibility of working with Rousey at WrestleMania.

Cyborg Call In

Ariel Helwani broached the subject of WWE wanting to bring Cyborg in to work with Ronda Rousey. “The WWE are considering trying to sign you to have you compete against Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania 35 next year in New Jersey, is this accurate?”

Cyborg was cryptic in her response, but seemed to be open to the idea, “I don’t know, I just heard this news today. If it is happening, maybe we can give all the fans the fight they’ve never seen…I think it would be great for all the fans that would like to watch but I’m not sure about that 100%, but…I’ll talk to my manager and see what’s going to be if its a good thing or not. I don’t know. Maybe it happens, maybe not.”

Cyborg vs. Rousey at WrestleMania?

Here’s Cyborg’s response to the rumors.

Full interview: https://t.co/0zGcD5HXu7 pic.twitter.com/235KMV9hPx

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 18, 2018

The topic ended with Helwani asking, “ So you’d be interested if the deal is right?”

Cyborg gave an responded with enthusiasm. “Yes, it would be great. I think it would be great.”

Ronda Rousey vs. Cyborg at WrestleMania 35?

Rousey and Cyborg actually have quite a storied history. Ronda arrived in Strikeforce in 2011, back when Cyborg was already a champion, before eventually carving a historic path in the UFC. It would take a while before the two women were once again in the same organization.

A dream match between the two competitors would never take place, unfortunately. The weight difference between the athletes is what was blamed for this, with the two women fighting at different weight classes and no catch weight bout ever successfully negotiated.

In the past, Cyborg has been critical of Rousey, believing Ronda was scared about facing her inside the octagon.

“[…] when you see her [Rousey] fight Holly [Holm] and Amanda [Nunes],” she said to The Ring Report, “you see why she ran from me. She didn’t want to fight me, for sure.”

Cyborg has also enjoyed poking light fun at her one-time potential opponent via Twitter:

Congrats to the baddest woman on the planet @rondarousey on the first of many @wwe belts.

Sincerely,
The most feared woman on the planet. #cyborgnation pic.twitter.com/kPmGxABuYd

— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) August 20, 2018

If the match were to go down, it would be a coup for the WWE, bringing to a head a feud that has lasted many years, across numerous promotions, and even entirely different entertainment mediums.

Who would you rather see Ronda face off against? Charlotte Flair or Cris Cyborg?

Despite having been written off SmackDown Live due to injuries sustained at Hell In A Cell, Jeff Hardy is still competing at WWE Live Events. Hardy worked a WWE Live Event in Oklahoma City this past Monday night. He competed in a 6-person tag team match, teaming with AJ Styles and R-Truth. They defeated the team of Samoa Joe, Randy Orton and the United States Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura. He is scheduled this weekend’s WWE live events

There is no indication as to how long the WWE will keep Hardy off of WWE programming as they continue to sell the severity of the injuries suffered. WWE previously provided a storyline update on Hardy, stating that he had complained of “severe abdominal pains backstage.” It was then reported that he had begun to cough up blood whilst in transit to a hospital.

Woken Warrior

His brother, Matt Hardy, has also been in the news recently, with what appeared to be a retirement announcement.

Matt’s WWE contract expires next March. His future opportunities with the company allegedly depend on the continued treatment of his lower back and pelvis. If the treatment goes well, there may be a chance he could return to in-ring competition within the WWE.

As if undergoing treatment wasn’t enough, he and his family are undergoing a major clean up effort at the Hardy Compound, thanks to Hurricane Florence.

The LOYAL & INCOMPARABLE Señor Benjamin has been doing 16 hours workdays at The Hardy Compound since Saturday.

A TRUE WARRIOR. pic.twitter.com/VoirBGyjUs

— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) September 19, 2018

Not content with his placement as the highest-paid actor in the history of Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson continues to be the hardest working man in Hollywood.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlVwla_l-Zr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Dwayne Johnson has partnered with Under Armour, releasing a new range that debuted today.

Entitled “Project Rock,” the collection is officially described by Johnson via the Under Armour website as, “[…] a movement of people willing to put in the work. What we work for is what we become. Finding strength in the struggle. Joy in the grind. Excitement in the challenge. Always recognizing that the project of ‘you’ is never finished. Because there is always more work to do. And together with Under Armour, we’ve designed this gear to work just as hard as you do.”

The Rock tweeted out this morning to his 12.9 million followers, mentioning that this was the “most anticipated collection of 2018.” He would go on to call the collaboration the “#AllDayHustleCollection,” before telling his fans to “Stay strong. Train hard. Enjoy the gear.”

His words accompanied a hype video for the product launch, which you can watch below:

Most anticipated collection of 2018..
My NEW @underarmour #AllDayHustleCollection DROPS NOW – https://t.co/qsnshjPwjh
Stay strong. Train hard.
Enjoy the gear. #AllDayHustleCollection#ProjectRock#UnderArmour #BuildTheBelief pic.twitter.com/VIsm5eJPvO

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 20, 2018

You can view the entire “Project Rock” range here.

What do you think? Will you be embracing the “All Day Hustle” collection?