It’s no secret that ‘Arrow’ star Stephen Amell is a big fan of professional wrestling and now he will go ALL IN this weekend for a match against Christopher Daniels.

Amell has actually appeared in matches previously, including a showdown against Cody when he was Stardust in WWE back in 2015.

Now Amell is scheduled for his biggest match today as he goes into singles competition at the highly anticipated ALL IN pay-per-view this weekend from New York.

According to Rhodes, who also has a five episode arc upcoming in the new season of ‘Arrow’, says that Amell has pro wrestling in his blood and that’s why it wasn’t all that hard to get him on board for the match at ALL IN.

“Well, Stephen got it in his blood.” Rhodes said when speaking to ComicBook.com. “The first time he came back, we were in Barkley Center when he did the match with Stardust. When he came to the curtain, he got a standing ovation. He got it in his blood, man. It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you’re a millionaire already, the feeling of pro wrestling for an entertainer, for a show person, there’s nothing like it. And he wanted a singles match immediately after that. Immediately.

“‘Arrow’ marches on, and we didn’t necessarily get there with Stardust. But when we talked about this event, I obviously thought what a wonderful moment that would be, and at the same time, I was heading back to ‘Arrow’ for five episodes now.”

https://twitter.com/StephenAmell/status/1032092867584389125

Filming for ‘Arrow’ season 7 is still ongoing but obviously Amell is taking a break this weekend for his match against Daniels.

Rhodes says the pairing was natural just given what he knows about both of the guys involved in the match and he can’t wait to see how it all unfolds at ALL IN.

“He was the right person at the right time.” Rhodes said about Daniels as Amell’s opponent. “I mean, if I’m talking as a real insider perspective, here’s two guys that I would give the world to. I won my first world title from Christopher Daniels, and I may dislike him. He’s literally busted my lip and both my eyebrows, but I’ll have a bond with that guy forever because of it. And Stephen, even though I read for eight different parts and finally got something, Stephen has been a big part of my career. That was my favorite thing that I did as Stardust. It really helped me learn the character, and to be able to come into his world, and that’s something that I want to pursue, and we’re doing more with after.”

“So it’s just two of the greatest people ever, and plus, they’re both super contrarian. They’re both super aggressive, and competitive, so I just feel like it’s going to be a full blown hockey fight, and I’m excited for that hockey fight. I’ll be mortified and terrified if [Christopher Daniel] busts Stephen open like he has done to me every time we’ve ever been in the ring, but my fingers are crossed, man.”

Given Amell’s excitement about the upcoming match, it’s tough to believe he won’t show up any time Rhodes has an offer for him to hop back into the ring.

https://twitter.com/StephenAmell/status/1032097168557989888

Are you excited about Stephen Amell making his singles debut against Christopher Daniels at ALL IN?

There are a lot of reasons why Cody Rhodes and Young Bucks may want to go to WWE, but one of the primary reasons why they hesitate from signing with the company is the lack of creative control.

During the latest episode of Talk Is Jericho, the trio talked about this matter and discussed how having no creative control is one of the major let downs of signing with the company.

Cody recalled a fan recently asking him if he would go back. He claimed that his answer to similar queries has become ‘I don’t think so’ because he is incapable of taking directions now.

Matt Jackson jumped in after this and he revealed why it would be hard for them to conform to that kind of relationship, saying that they are used to making their own decisions.

Jackson then explained how tables have turned since everybody in WWE now wants to be where the Bucks are and they did it without going there.

The talk concluded with the ROH Star claiming that the goal eventually is to get to the point where the host Chris Jericho currently is where one can call their own shots and do what they want to do.

While WWE is definitely interested in bringing these three to their fold, Young Bucks and Cody’s recent interviews and comments make it seem like the possibility of it happening anytime soon is not very bright.

Check out our All In event page for all the latest news on the upcoming event. 

Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and Adam Page have made a pledge to stay together next year, no matter what.

On Wednesday, a media conference call was held to promote next weekend’s All In event and the weekend-long Starrcast convention. I had a chance to participate in the call and there was a pretty newsworthy statement made by Cody about the Bullet Club members behind All In.

When Cody and the Bucks sold out a 10,000+ person arena for All In in less than a half hour, you can be sure it got on WWE’s radar. When Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling sold out Madison Square Garden in a matter of minutes, many fans were left wondring the same thing. Which of the performers involved will WWE attempt to sign, in an effort to suppress the momentum of the Bullet Club, ROH and New Japan?

Cody Rhodes was asked what’s next for his gang after All In on September 1st. Cody said he does not know where he (and the others) will be working next year. However, he did reveal that he, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and Adam Page have made a ‘verbal commitment’ to each other that they will stick together no matter where they wind up.

“As far as what’s next, I really wish I could answer, ” said Cody.  “A lot has happened in the last few weeks. A lot of discussions about the future. One thing that’s special about this, and I have to be rather cagey in answering, one thing that is special about this group is we have verbally committed to each other and I don’t know that that’s ever been done in the history of professional wrestling, where I have verbally committed to the Bucks, the Bucks, Kenny Omega, Hangman Page.”

He continued, “There’s this verbal commitment that the next step we take because it’s no secret.  Our contracts are all up…what happens next?  The next step we take, we’re going to take it together and we’re going to take it as a family.  It could be the dumbest move ever. Wrestling is sorta a shady business or we can do what my gut tells me, the right call.”

A verbal pledge like this is unprecedented. It is the latest sign that Cody, the Young Bucks & company are onto something special and have tremendous confidence in themselves.

It’s been reported that Cody and The Bucks’ Ring of Honor contracts expire at the end of the year. Kenny Omega is signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling through January 2019.

Will Cody, the Bucks, Omega and Page remain with ROH & New Japan? Will they join WWE together? Will they star their own promotion? Only time will tell. One thing we do know: it’s going to be a very interesting few months ahead.

For more on ALL IN, visit our All In news page.

Ring Of Honor (ROH) star Christopher Daniels has a tremendous amount of respect for what Cody Rhodes is doing.

Rhodes and The Young Bucks are self-funding an “All In” event from the Sears Centre in Illinois on September 1st. The arena, which holds over 10,000 fans, sold out very quickly for the show.

Not to mention the enormous amount of singles success Rhodes has seen since departing from WWE. Daniels spoke to GiveMeSport recently and credited Rhodes for “pioneering” through the professional wrestling industry lately:

“I’ve had nothing but good experiences working with Cody [Rhodes]. He’s pioneering, he’s making his own way in professional wrestling and he’s one of the best examples of going outside of the WWE and finding success.

“It’s great to see that happening for him. I was a big fan of his work when he was in the WWE and to see the change from the ‘Dashing’ Cody Rhodes, Stardust to what he is now, it’s pretty cool to know that he bet on himself and now is succeeding in a way a lot of people want in their own career – it’s cool to know that he is making it happen.”

Cody Rhodes Does Something Amazing For “All In” Ticket-Buyer

Ring Of Honor (ROH) star Cody Rhodes is an absolute class act. Rhodes and The Young Bucks’ self-funded “All In” event will go down from the Sears Centre in Illinois on September 1st.

The event sold out extremely quick and will hold over 10,000 fans. One fan, however, recently found themselves in quite a predicament. While they purchased a ticket, they didn’t have the financial means to travel to Illinois for the show.

He expressed his devastation on Twitter but noted that he’s still glad he bought the ticket because it helps out Rhodes and The Young Bucks. In response, Rhodes PayPaled the fan some money and covered their travel and hotel fees so they can attend the show:

@CodyRhodes I bought a ticket to All In. From the way things are looking, I'm not gonna have enough funds for travel or hotel. It's literally devastating. But I'm still glad I got the ticket, cause it helps you guys. Take it easy man and have 1 hell of a show.

— Josh O'Neill (@The_Axem_Ranger) July 30, 2018

What’s your budget to get there & your PayPal? https://t.co/swYtSsO441

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 30, 2018

Sent you a lil’ something. Enjoy yourself. Me & @MattJackson13 @NickJacksonYB w/the whole crew involved intend to make this count. No wrestling fan should miss it.

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 30, 2018

Oh my god…

— Josh O'Neill (@The_Axem_Ranger) July 30, 2018

Truly feel blessed with what just happened. Thank you guys, so much. Can't wait for ALL IN! @CodyRhodes @NickJacksonYB @MattJackson13

— Josh O'Neill (@The_Axem_Ranger) July 30, 2018

NJPW Star Off G1 Tour

New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Jado, who has been out-of-action since July 20th, will miss the remainder of the G1 Climax tour. An injury to his left foot has forced him out of the tournament.

Jado was scheduled for a Six-Man Tag Team match in which he’d partner with YOSHI-HASHI and Kazuchika Okada against the team of Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma. He will be replaced by Gedo in the match.

Cody Rhodes doesn’t have a bad thing to say about Randy Orton.

Rhodes worked with Orton as a member of the Legacy stable in WWE from 2008 to 2010. Soon after he went on a nice singles run that included a pair of Intercontinental Title wins. In 2016, however, the son of WWE Hall Of Famer Dusty Rhodes decided to venture out into the independent circuit and left the company.

Orton remains in WWE today, and cut an interesting promo on SmackDown Live last night (Tues. July 24, 2108) about “indy darlings.” He poked fun at The Bullet Club stealing the old Kliq “Too Sweet” hand gesture as well. One fan on Twitter seemed to take issue with this and asked Rhodes to “go off” on Orton.

Rhodes responded by saying “The Viper” could call him “a rat piece of sh!&” and he wouldn’t care. He credits Orton for his early success in the business and says he learned a lot from the former multiple time World Champ:

https://twitter.com/moaningreigns_/status/1021912319876624385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1021912319876624385&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F979541-cody-rhodes-asked-to-go-off-on-orton-defends-the-viper

https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1021918150424711168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1021918150424711168&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F979541-cody-rhodes-asked-to-go-off-on-orton-defends-the-viper

Fans who plan on attending the All In event will not have to speculate if Enzo Amore will be making a surprise appearance because Cody Rhodes has set the record straight.

Rhodes and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) will present the event on September 1st at the Sears Centre in near Chicago, Illinois.

The former ROH World Champion recently conducted a Q&A session with fans on his official Twitter account, which led to a fan who was very persistent about the idea of the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion potentially appearing at this event.

Rhodes made it clear that Amore won’t be appearing as he wrote, “He’s not part of the show. 100%” and “No need to wait. I’m telling you now.”

We’re not.

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 14, 2018

He’s not part of the show. 100%

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 14, 2018

No need to wait. I’m telling you now.

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 14, 2018

Although Amore is focused on his rap career these days, he still plans to take indie booking for wrestling events. Amore parted ways with the WWE after rape allegations were made against him. If you recall, the WWE was not aware of the rape allegations against Amore until January of this year once the media reached out to them for comments once the allegations went viral on Twitter.

Amore denied the allegations were true. The reason that WWE cut ties with him is not due to an internal belief that Enzo was guilty, but over the fact that Enzo failed to notify officials that he was being investigated. It should be noted that the investigation against him has been closed and no charges were ever filed against him.

Former Ring of Honor World Champion and one of the de-facto leaders of the Bullet Club Cody Rhodes recently spoke to ESPN as part of an article featuring ‘Hangman Page’ from the aformentioned New Japan stable.

Cody claimed that “Adam Page is making a run, unbeknownst to us all, he’s making a run for best wrestler in the world long before he should be,” Cody then went on to mention that “He’s got Kenny Omega right there by him to help him along. He’s got Matt and Nick to help him along. He has me. He has Marty. He’s a sponge to all of that, and then he’s a sponge to the wrestling he grew up on.“

Rhodes is not the only member of the New Japan roster who sees big things ahead for Hangman; “Chris Jericho saw Adam Page at Dominion and he jokingly said, ‘What is this guy, 6-5, 265 pounds, a Texan doing a shooting star press?’. Adam Page isn’t any of those things except the shooting star press. The presence of him is what made Jericho turn his head. Everything in wrestling is about turning your head. I can’t sing his praises enough. He’s just the man.“

You can check out the full article from ESPN here.

This past weekend (Sat. July 7, 2018) New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) hosted their G1 Special event in San Francisco, California. The show was main evented by an IWGP Heavyweight Title match between defending champion Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes.

One spot during the match saw Omega do a running release powerbomb to Cody from inside the ring, dumping him outside the ring and onto the floor after failing to break a table. After the match Rhodes took to Twitter and noted he’d be taking time off to heal his body before September 1st’s “All In.”

Former WCW ring announcer, Gary Michael Cappetta, (the spot can be seen by clicking the following link) took to his official Facebook page and offered a bit of criticism towards Omega and Rhodes’ match. Cappetta’s comments seemed to come from a place of concern and wished wrestlers wouldn’t do spots like this in order to preserve their longevity:

“WRESTLER ALERT: Human bodies aren’t made to do this,” said Cappetta. “Please stop shortening your valuable careers. Stop limiting the health and happiness of your post wrestling lives.”

In a recent interview, former WWE superstar and second generation athlete Cody Rhodes broke his silence on his attitude towards WWE, especially when in regards to current talent still within the company.

When asked what his advice would be to WWE superstars currently mired within the sports entertainment juggernauts’ midcard, and therefore looking to possibly branch out on their own, the son of a son of plumber heavily implied sticking with the ‘E, having this to say on the matter;

“The reason I tell them that, unless you have the balls to do this, and when I say the balls to do it I mean full hustle, full commitment; that date book should be filled within three days.
It’s not like WWE where you drive into a town and you’re on a loop, this is a different story here. You’re flying every morning, every show you’re expected to be this..the ex-WWE name carries some weight, you’re expected to be that and be on, and not everyone can do that”.

It seems that whilst leaving the sports entertainment leviathan, Cody still understands the benefits of being a part of Vince McMahon’s wrestling empire, and how it can immeasurably help anyone build a name worthy of investing in on the independent scene.

Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes took part in yesterday’s (Fri. July 6, 2018) G1 Special press conference to answer various questions. Rhodes appeared at the event in black hair, reverting away from the blonde haired look he adopted not too long ago.

It turns out Rhodes got called to do a TV show, some news he hopes to officially be able to announce soon, and they said it was a no-go on the blonde hair:

“I got called to do a TV show, hopefully we can break that news soon,” Rhodes said. “It doesn’t affect my wrestling dates at all, which means I’ll be burning things at both ends, but production is going to fly me to every show I had on the books. I’m not missing a damn thing.

“It’s exactly the type of career I was looking into. I was looking at my two-year plan yesterday for what I want, maybe move into a feature length film, but also keep everything I have with wrestling, because if I lose the wrestling part of my identity then I don’t have a clue who I am anymore. I’m very happy about it, but they said no on the blonde.”

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

Nia Jax Comments On Her Match At Extreme Rules

The WWE Raw Women’s Championship match set to take place at Extreme Rules was spiced up with the Extreme Rules stipulation yesterday, and the challenger Nia Jax has some thoughts about it that she shared on her Twitter:

It isn’t about just about winning the #Raw Women’s Championship back. It’s about putting an end to this. An #ExtremeRules Match means I can use ANY means to make you pay for what you’ve done. This ends the #MomentOfBliss.

— Lina Fanene (@LinaFanene) July 3, 2018

Deonna Purrazzo Will Not Be At All In

Cody Rhodes revealed on Twitter that Deonna Purrazzo will not be making an appearance at the All In event after he was asked who she was going to face. Deonna Purrazzo is currently signed to WWE’s developmental territory NXT.

Click here for more news on the All In event.

Deonna is unable to do All In. We love her. She’s phenomenal. She’s kicking ass/breaking arms no matter where you see her.

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) July 3, 2018

?? https://t.co/f179L5mhdr

— The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) July 3, 2018

Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes recently did an interview with ESPN to talk about several professional wrestling topics. “The American Nightmare” first discussed getting through the process of putting together he and The Young Bucks’ self-funded “All In” event on September 1st:

“I don’t want to complain about it because I’ve had my whole career to get to this position, and now I’m in it. The last thing I need to do is complain. A couple sleepless nights, a couple extra checks written — that’s why I surround myself with such a great team.

“I’m an independent pro wrestler, but I’ve got a manager, I’ve got an agent, I’ve got a publicist, I got the three best dogs in the world, and I have the best woman on earth. If I didn’t have Brandi, none of this would be happening. I’d still be putting that Stardust suit on, doing Jim Carrey Riddler.”

Rhodes then talked about earning the current spot he’s in after years of hard work. Despite the naysayers, the former WWE star has shared the ring with some of the best the sport has ever seen and knows he can compete at any level:

“I think fans of mine who are already on the bandwagon, God bless them, thank you for being there, but I think this is a great jumping-off point if you’re looking at what is Cody Rhodes. I think I’ve proven the naysayers wrong about, ‘Oh, he’s just ex-WWE,’ and the new set of naysayers, ‘Oh, he can’t compete at this level.’

“I can compete at any level. I’ve been doing this since I was 15 years old. Every time someone told me I couldn’t, I did. I’m still the same guy who’s responsible for one of the better Intercontinental runs of all time and changing that title. I’m still the guy who shared the ring with The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H when they were still actually active.

“And I’m aware, as my wife loves to hear. It’s not different than any sport in the world where the best wrestlers are gonna get the best spots. That spot is for me, because I’ve earned it.”

You can read Rhodes’ full interview with ESPN by clicking this link here.

UK based promotion Fight Forever has announced a huge debut tour that will be taking place December 6th-9th and will feature some of the biggest stars from the Independent wrestling world.

Fight Forever will be hosting shows in Birmingham (6th), London (7th), Bristol (8th) and Liverpool (9th), they have issued the following press release for the tour which will feature a live wrestling show as well as a very special Live version of Something To Wrestle with Conrad Thompson and Bruce Pritchard:

“Brand New UK Professional Wrestling Promotion ‘Fight Forever Wrestling’ Announce Debut Tour featuring ‘Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard Live’, ‘The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes’, WWE UK Tournament Winner Zack Gibson and ‘The Godfather Charles Wright’.

Coming to the UK in December 2018, breakthrough UK Professional Wrestling Promotion, Fight Forever Wrestling, announce their debut tour, featuring an international roster including ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, Flip Gordon, Jimmy Havoc, James Drake, Flash Morgan Webster, El Ligero, Joe Hendry, Rampage Brown, Travis Banks, and WWE UK Tournament Winner, Zack Gibson. There will be more big names announced ahead of the tour.

WWE Hall of Famer, Charles Wright, will also be appearing on the tour as a special guest and the host of after show party events, ‘Papa Shango’s Voodoo Party’ and ‘The Godfather’s Pimp Party’.”

Tickets for the shows are available to purchase via Fight Forever’s official website.

Fight Forever @ZackGibson01 @JimmyHavoc @joeshendry @Travis_BanksPW @Flash_Morgan @MKirbyProEgo @Kay_Lee_Ray @Ligero1 @MillieMcKenzie0 @BeaPriestley @JamesDrake_GYT @missviper91 @Iestyn_Rees @iamamirjordan @TheKipSabian @Shasamuels https://t.co/rUaCtWAKZE pic.twitter.com/lnOdSrFVyB

— Fight Forever Wrestling (@fightforeveruk) June 29, 2018

Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes recently participated in a media conference call to promote the G1 Special Tournament. Cody will challenge IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega at the event for his title.

“The American Nightmare” first talked about what it would mean for him to win the ROH World Heavyweight Title before he heads into his IWGP match against Omega:

“As far as the Ring Of Honor World title heading into the G1 Special, I have these title matches. I have the Ring Of Honor one at Best In The World: Baltimore [Maryland], June 29th [2018], the day before my birthday.

“July 7th [2018] on AXS TV, what we’re talking about today, I have the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. And then, at All In, the show I’m executive producing, I have the NWA World’s Championship title match. So the world is not enough for someone like me. The character you see in the screen is very not… there’s not much difference. I think that might disappoint some people, I’m a bit of a dick in real life. And I don’t want to go 0-3. I don’t want to go 1-3. I don’t want to go 2-3.

“I want to go 3-3. I want to take this completely and it would mean a great deal to show up at Bay City [California], The Cow Palace, on AXS TV as Ring Of Honor Champion. And I think it would also be really good for Ring Of Honor. The Dalton Castle experiment didn’t pay off and this is my opportunity to get back to where I was because as their Champion, and even not as their Champion, I’ve continued to grow their business.

“And they’re very grateful for it and I’m very grateful for them. It’s an opportunity for me. But yeah, I’d very much like to show up and be able to hold my title up alongside [Omega’s] and see where it gets us.”

Cody then talked about wanting to compete in the G1 tournament this year. Unfortunately an acting gig presented a scheduling conflict. He promised he’d be in the G1 tournament next year or the year after:

“I would’ve wanted to be in the tournament this year, but there’s this other part of my life that’s not [pro] wrestling and that’s… I’ve been working to break into acting a little further. I had my guest roles in a couple of past seasons [of Arrow] and there was something I was able to accrue or book.

“It hasn’t been announced yet and that’s eating up my schedule. I actually don’t have a day off until the Wednesday before All In. After, I think I start July 1st [2018] and then go all the way till the Wednesday before All In. No days off at all.” Cody added, “that was the reason I wasn’t able to be in the G1. I think, I’ll just guarantee it. I’ll Joe Namath it.

“I will absolutely be in the G1 if not next year, the year after that. I give you my word. I’ll be in the G1. If I have to move Heaven and Earth to do it, I will compete in one. I’ve seen the importance of it.”

You can listen to Cody’s media conference call by clicking this link here.

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Good Ole’ JR first talked about getting to call Cody Rhodes vs. Kenny Omega at the upcoming G1 Special in San Francisco:

“Kenny is so cerebral and makes his matches so different. He and Cody have some characteristics that are compatible, but they also have some very different traits. The story they’re going to tell is going to be so well told. They are two of the best in the game. They’re going to mix all those ingredients into a hell of an entrée on July 7.”

“They’re both in their 30s, they’ve both paid their dues, they’re not new kids on the block. They have the chance to close the show on a live, free national broadcast. There is a lot of opportunity for positive exposure. They just need to get it done, bell-to-bell. It should be absolutely off the hook.”

Ross then explained why he thinks that Will Ospreay could be professional wrestling’s next big breakout star:

“Ospreay is the next breakout star, but only if he can stay healthy. He has a great upside, without any question, but the questions concern the style and how he works. Calling his matches, I’ve seen him get up after I thought he hurt himself or broke something in his body. At some point, you don’t need a medical degree to figure out the fact that when you take bumps on surfaces that were never intended to be bumping surfaces, and you do it for too long, the cumulative effect is going to be negative.

“He has a great imagination and he’s a great improvisationalist, and he’s really good with strikes and submissions. So if he leaned a little more on the other aspects of ‘The Aerial Assassin’–he doesn’t have to do a moonsault to the outside to be an aerial assassin, he just needs to land on a surface that will half-ass welcome your body to it.

“He’s got some size, he’s a real keeper, but I do worry about the number of risks he takes on any given tour. I hope I’m wrong, because he is so entertaining and wonderfully creative, and he’ll be a big, big star if he stays healthy. It’s up to guys like myself and Josh Barnett, or Don Callis and Kevin Kelly, to make sure we don’t make him known for only one thing in taking risks. Sometimes the talent believe what you say about them, and they continue down that road, which has a very unfortunate but inevitable destination.”

You can read Ross’ full interview with Sports Illustrated by clicking this link here.

Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes took part in a recent media conference call to promote the upcoming NJPW G1 Special on AXS TV. Rhodes first discussed how writers and producers in WWE have more power than talent creatively, when it’s the performers that will suffer on behalf of poor instruction:

“I don’t look at it as being in control of my creative.” Cody explained, “I literally look at it as just knowing myself. I guess knowing my act, knowing what I would do, and what I wouldn’t do, and going out there and trying it out. The fans will tell you if you got it right or if you got it wrong. I think that’s one of the most backwards ass things about [pro] wrestling in the first place is writers. What are you writing? What on Earth are you writing?

“I have some friends who are writers at WWE and the most thing they could ever offer was, as far as pre-tapes and backstage interviews, they were there to provide a little bit of direction, a little coaching. But they were there to look at the shot. In that vein, they were very valuable, so I see the importance there. But as far as this industry, if people ever say that it’s scripted, I dare you to find me a wrestling script. It doesn’t exist. We’re a rare thing, a rare bird in the world of entertainment, an important bird.

“Same with producers! I love all those legends. I love them to death. Some of them are like family to me, but how the hell are you going to tell me what to do out there? You don’t! And that was my biggest mistake with WWE is ever listening. There’s a difference between collaboration, and advice, and being told to do this because that’s not how it works. You go out there and you’re the one on TV. You’re the one who gets heat if you suck and you reap the rewards if it’s a grand slam.”

Rhodes then discussed the differences in the locker rooms of WWE and NJPW, as Japan’s locker room is a lot more traditional:

“There’s a huge difference in the locker room philosophies between WWE and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.” Cody elaborated, “I can tell you, it’s not a knock on WWE, New Japan Pro-Wrestling understands much more how to do their locker room. The individual factions are separated.

“Chaos has their own locker room. Bullet Club has their own locker room. But there are no outsiders, no celebrities, they can be somewhere else, but they can’t be in the locker room. It’s a real traditional space. You ride on a bus with your crew and no other crew. You don’t stay at the same hotel. It’s a real traditional space.

“And it’s something just as an old school [pro] wrestling fan, I really value when I go. But I think they have the locker room. I think that’s the philosophy in the locker room as far as company goes, it’s much different.”

Recently The Elite challenged The New Day at E3 for a battle in the Street Fighter video game. WWE provided some extensive coverage and promotion of the event, mentioning Omega and The Young Bucks by name a few times. Rhodes offered his thoughts on the company doing this:

“I thought that was really, I hate using this expression, but good for business.” Cody continued, “that’s something that The New Day, and The Elite, I guess now, The Golden Elite, that cross-promotional element is something that they wanted to do for a long time and [WWE] can’t pretend that people don’t exist anymore.

“Kenny Omega is a revered star worldwide. He’s the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion and I think it was good for business. I had a nice little banter back-and-forth with some of my friends from the WWE locker room, but I kept saying, ‘hey, you guys are welcome for the rub.’ And then, they kept saying pretty much the same thing back to me.

“But yeah, no, I’m glad The Elite won regardless of whether Kenny’s my best friend or if I could [not] care less about him. But The Elite, in this case Kenny, defeated Xavier Woods and they put that one to rest. But who knows? I think The New Day/Golden Elite rivalry might just be getting started.”

You can listen to Rhodes on the AXS conference call at this link here.

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

Former WCW and TNA star Disco Inferno recently made an appearance on “The Matt Riviera Show” podcast to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Inferno was first asked about his issues with Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes.

Inferno commented on a social media photo posted by Rhodes showing a graphic head wound that he suffered in a match against Kenny Omega. Rhodes apparently took things the wrong way and a beef between the pair started:

“ I think he completely misinterpreted what I was saying, because I wasn’t burying him….I’ve worked, I’ve been on a writing team, and I’ve been an agent, okay. So, if I’m critical of somebody, like wrestlers, like I do sometimes on the podcast…

“It’s not anything, like if I was there agent, I wouldn’t be saying right to their face.. of course the fans are going to say, ”Oh, you’re just hating him”. No, I’m not hating, this is what I did for a living… That’s the perspective that I’m critical on commentary with professional wrestling these days.”

Inferno then offered his thoughts on the large number of wrestlers suffering serious injuries lately:

“The one thing I see in the business that kind of bothers me is that, as wrestling’s gotten, like the quote unquote “evolution of wrestling” is that, you know, back in the day… when I got hurt, I hurt my back. When guy’s got hurt, they hurt their knee, they hurt their shoulder… We’re at a stage in the business where, back in the day, if guys were watching, like the way the guys work today…

“We would tell the guys, “What the hell are you doing? You guys are killing each other out there.” I’ve never seen a time in the business where guys are hurting each other. Not like hurting their shoulders or hurting their knees… They’re hurting each other, because they’re doing things that look like they hurt, and they do… Everybody was a mark for Benoit…

“You watch Benoit, Kurt Angle, and Edge all had neck injuries that were serious neck injuries… What did they do every match? German suplexes… 6, 7, 8, 9 German suplexes… You look at the move, regardless if it’s a work or not. You’re landing on your neck constantly. Constant stress on your neck that’s going to add up… you can’t do that… Alex (Wright) would do a German suplex to me one time, and it was a finish. ”

Finally, Disco discussed how he believes that modern wrestling has lost its way:

“Professional wrestling is predicated, and always has been… two guys wrestling/fighting each other. That’s the concept… so when everyone talks about psychology… If you do things that don’t look like something you would do in a fight, that’s bad psychology. Because if you’re just taking a bunch of acrobatic maneuvers and acrobatic spots… and try to insert it into the concept of professional wrestling, which is supposed to be a fight, it just does not make sense…

“Now we have this younger generation of people that grew up, that didn’t watch that wrestling, when it was like a suspended disbelief and pretending two guys are in a fight, they’ve accepted this as professional wrestling. That it’s acrobatics, it’s spots, it’s a performance… and that’s kind of where wrestling’s lost it’s way… The shows now are just a bunch of critics that kind of just applaud the performance. They’re not emotionally invested…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGKqGsDy4i4&feature=youtu.be

Dalton Castle is set to make the biggest title defense thus far in his reign as ROH World Champion.

Castle will defend his title against Cody Rhodes and Marty Scurll in a Triple Threat Match at the Best in the World pay-per-view event, which takes place on Friday, June 29, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland at the UMBC Event Center. The event will air on traditional PPV outlets and the FITE TV app.

Cody has gone on record in the past by stating in previous interviews that he plans to win the ROH World Title at this show that way he can put it on the line against Nick Aldis at ‘All In’ that way it would be a title for title match as Aldis’ NWA World Heavyweight Title would be up for grabs at All In.

“Absolutely not,” Dalton replied when asked if he feels pressure to retain his title during a recent media conference call to promote Best in the World (transcript courtesy of Wrestling Inc).

“That’s pressure Cody’s putting on himself thinking too far ahead. What’s the saying? Putting the carriage in front of the horse. He has made these plans for this world championship he has yet to win. He forgets that if he wants to bring that title to ‘All In’ and challenge Nick Aldis for his title he has to first get through Dalton Castle.”

It didn’t take long for the son of the late great WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes to respond to the comments made by the ROH World Champion as he wrote the following on his official Twitter account:

We tried this out Dalton. It’s not for you. The days where all the trainees/dojo kids get a participation trophy is over. https://t.co/30HWQWApbF

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) June 26, 2018

What are your thoughts on Castle’s comments? Sound off in the comment section.

As Cody and the Young Bucks gear up for All-In on September 1st, 2018, questions remain as to how the WWE might respond to the event. Cody responded to a suggestion on Twitter that WWE may decide to sign talent booked for All-In.

A fan asked Dave Meltzer if WWE would possibly organize a show near Chicago on September 1st to rival All-In.

“Nope and tickets are sold,” Meltzer replied. “All they can do it try and sign the talent on the show and pull them, and most are under contract elsewhere past that date.”

Evidently, Cody was following the discussion and offered a response.

That’s a possibility. Everybody has different goals. If your goal is to take a meet/greet style handshake photo, and pretend to be excited about going back to wrestling school…that’s your prerogative ha. https://t.co/mDMQ6FQNfc

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) June 24, 2018

“That’s a possibility. Everybody has different goals. If your goal is to take a meet/greet style handshake photo, and pretend to be excited about going back to wrestling school…that’s your prerogative ha.”

Cody and WWE

Since leaving the company in 2016, Cody has had both positive and negative things to say about WWE. Cody has taken issue with the company running a Starrcade themed house show but also responded positively to NXT running a War Games themed event.

Earlier this year, Cody responded to a fan on Twitter who asked if he’ll ever go back to WWE. “Unlikely. They have a huge place in my heart. They raised me,” Cody Tweeted.
“But my music is my music and I play it how I want, I am literally incapable of taking direction.”

Cody has earned the praise of his fellow Bullet Club members. Adam Page recently had this to say on his Cody’s work ethic:

“He’s just a person who, legitimately every minute of every day, he’s on,” Page said. “He’s two-a-day at the gym, or coming up with stuff for The Elite, or thinking of long-term ideas for what he wants to do at Ring of Honor or New Japan or for a match that day, he’s just somebody who legitimately is always on, and I think that has motivated me as well a little bit.”

Ring Of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Cody Rhodes recently participated in an AXS TV conference call to promote the G1 Special in San Francisco. The former ROH World Champion commented on wanting to see NJPW run a tour in the United States:

“The next time you come over, if you’re NJPW, you should make a tour of it,” Cody said. “When I say a tour, I mean, let’s hit Los Angeles, let’s hit New York, let’s grow a pair — which they have — and make a run of all the ‘A’ markets and see how you do. That might be the first step into seeing what you can do consistently in the United States. “I think, next time, make a tour of it.

“They won’t, but it’d be really cool if they did. It may take some time, but I think if you hit all the ‘A’ markets you’re going to sell out or come close to it everywhere you go. And I think it’s also real important that you give them New Japan Pro Wrestling, don’t dress it up with something that they might be comfortable with … you don’t have to decorate it with American stars. What’s got them to where they are is the Japanese talent and Japanese stars. “Don’t do enough market research that you change your product.”

Rhodes went on to call 2018 an “era of choice”:

“I don’t consider this an era of competition as much as I consider it an era of choice,” Cody said. “Look at the competition and where it got us. We ran WCW out of business, we destroyed an entire region in the US in terms of their love of wrestling and WWE has had to rebuild it. I’m from Georgia, I felt the fallout of a company losing in a competition before. I don’t think it’s about competition anymore, I think it’s about choice. I hope to see more efforts made to cross those bridges.”

H/T Cageside Seats for the transcriptions

Cody Rhodes has been making headlines ever since he started his indie career and he has been a topic of discussion among fans lately.

Some believe that the NJPW Star has achieved everything on his own while there are others who think that the former Legacy Member has been handed over things he is not qualified for.

Now during a recent interaction with Sports Illustrated, the former ROH World Champion has done something which is destined to divide fans once again.

During the interview, Cody was asked about his top 5 professional wrestlers of the current time and the former WWE star started the list with himself:

“In the modern era of reality is reality versus perception is reality, it’s simple. I am the best in the world. It’s 1: Cody; 2: Kenny; 3: Okada; 4: Charlotte; 5: Cena, with Ospreay creeping up on the list.

Continuing on the topic, Rhodes explained how it’s his responsibility to live up to this ranking and claimed that he is unbelievably good at this because of hard work and dedication.

Whether Cody actually believes in these rankings or he is just trying to work people is debatable but one thing is for sure that this top 5 list will become a matter of discussion among wrestling fans soon.

Discussion: What are your thoughts on Cody Rhodes’ top 5 wrestlers and who are your top 5 wrestlers in the current scenario? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

WWE Stars Seemingly Voice Frustrations On Twitter

Both WWE Superstars Tyler Breeze and Scott Dawson recently posted some interesting Tweets on social media, likely voicing their frustrations with their current positions in the company. Breeze Tweeted out the following, which led to an exchange with a fan:

They say the cream rises to the top……. does anyone have some balloons or a life vest?

— Breeze (@MmmGorgeous) June 5, 2018

Funny characters don’t get main event status. Risk it all or stay complacent.

— Moondog (@MoondogAlpha) June 5, 2018

Rock wasn’t funny? Austin? Angle? You’re dumb https://t.co/8euw7sYgqp

— Breeze (@MmmGorgeous) June 5, 2018

Scott Dawson then Tweeted out in response to a WWE video, asking for an opportunity to prove that he and Dash Wilder are the best to ever do it:

https://twitter.com/ScottDawsonWWE/status/1004195137717768194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Get in line pal https://t.co/DYKfNzVo8o

— Breeze (@MmmGorgeous) June 6, 2018

Cody Rhodes & The Young Bucks Hype Upcoming Matches

One-half of The Young Bucks, Matt Jackson, recently took to Twitter to hype he and Nick’s upcoming Tag Team match at Dominion. The Young Bucks will take on Los Ingobernables de Japon (Sanada and Evil) for the IWGP Tag Team Titles:

https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/1004407588337750016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F961903-matt-jackson-hypes-njpw-dominion-match-wwe-takes-a-look-at-money-in-the-bank-veterans

Ring Of Honor (ROH) also posted a video in which Cody Rhodes hypes his upcoming Triple Threat match against Dalton Castle and Marty Scurll for the ROH World Title at the Best In The World pay-per-view (PPV) on June 29th in Baltimore:

#DaddyEatsFirst – @CodyRhodes #ROH World Championship Match at #ROHBITW!

Fri June 29 – LIVE on PPV and for #HonorClub VIP
@UMBCEventCenter in #ROHBaltimore

Tickets: https://t.co/l7s3rREu4X
Info: https://t.co/3CSMIp8ZMD pic.twitter.com/VeKhWAEpJ4

— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) June 6, 2018

The Cody Rhodes and Young Bucks’ self-funded “All In” event which sold out in 30 minutes is going to be the biggest show in the independent wrestling scene. Fans of wrestling are looking forward to the event which will take place at September 1. Major names from the wrestling world have been confirmed for the show, but only one big match has been announced and we don’t have a full match card yet.

At the Ring of Honor: United show in London, Cody Rhodes was interrupted by the current NWA World Champion, Nick Aldis. Both of them are set to face each other at All In, but Aldis wanted plans to change a little.

Cody is going to challenge the Ring of Honor World Champion Dalton Castle for his title at ROH Best in the World next month. Aldis wants his match with Cody to be a title for title match if Cody wins the ROH World Championship.

Cody agreed to Aldis’ stipulation of the match and looks like it will be a title for title match at All In if Cody is able to win the ROH World Championship from Dalton Castle.

Former Ring of Honor World Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes recently spoke with Mike McGuire about a number of topics related to All In, the biggest independent wrestling show of the year scheduled for 9/1 from Chicago. Here are some highlights from the discussion, with the video of the interview available at the bottom of this article.

Bringing a sense of unity to Independent wrestling:

“Somebody told me, ‘You’ve stumbled upon wrestling’s ‘Woodstock’’. As much as I’d like to say that and cut that promo, I won’t know that until that Thursday, All In weekend.. This has the feeling. I think we all need it. Wrestlers, fans, whether there’s a bunch of All In’s or just one, we’re going to make it count.”

Challenging for the NWA Championship:

“Billy (Corgan) wanted the NWA Championship represented on All In and I said “absolutely, and I’ll be the one to challenge for it.” We also talk a little in storyline about Nick Aldis and his refusal to want to do the match without being asked.

The Possibility of Live Streaming All In

After a long pause and a bit of a smirk, “I don’t know. I can’t say. I don’t know, but I am gonna do my damndest to give people who couldn’t get tickets an opportunity to see it”.

Cody also gave some great feedback on the unknown Indy wrestling hotbed that is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, even teasing he’s going to endorse it to The Young Bucks to make a visit. You can watch the full interview below: