Speculation is John Cena vs Lars Sullivan is dead, and the poster boy will instead challenge Samoa Joe for the US at the big show.
HOF'er leaving WWE:
Jim Ross says he has informed Vince McMahon personally that he will not extend his contract with the company, and will depart on March 29.
Legend to retire:
Jushin Thunder Liger says he will retire next January in the Tokyo Dome.
WrestleMania 36:
WWE have officially announced that Tampa's Raymond James Stadium will host next years Mania, and revealed the logo for the event (Photo).
New show:
WWE are inviting fans to watch Fastlane via a live stream with superstars and legends, via various social media platforms.
Becky Lynch talks past battle with depression:
"It felt like death to me. I was Rebecca, the wrestler. And then I wasn't the wrestler, so who the hell was Rebecca? It was my whole goal that I wanted to change the landscape of women, to just go out there and just wrestle and make people care. Then, all of a sudden, I was just lost with no goals, no ambition. I felt like I let everybody down. And I was so ashamed. I just remember pure shame, of not being able to know what I was going to do with myself, not being able to own up to the fact that I wasn't doing it, or that I was confused about it. I just thought that the door closed for me for life. This fear of success, but fear of failure. Fear of … I don't know … of the future, really. And I went into a depression. But I would always write in my journal that I felt like I had unfinished business. That I should be in WWE, but I didn't know how to get back there. I felt like I burned these bridges, but this is what I'm meant to do and how am I going to do it? It was a horrible, harrowing feeling, to not know how to get back there. Luckily, some twist of fate or divine intervention - I don't know what you want to call it - just brought me back to what I feel is my calling, my destiny, if you believe in those kinds of things. And here we are."
Double J gets new WWE role:
Jeff Jarrett has joined the WWE creative team.
Lars Sullivan:
Lars Sullivan is doing better after the ''Personal incident'' that afflicted his mental health in January and has likely cost him his match vs John Cena at WrestleMania. He says he is in a good place, and thanked WWE for accommodating his illness.
Legend dies:
The iconic Destroyer Dick Beyer has passed away aged 88, says his son. He has won titles all over the world and is a Pro Wrestling HOF inductee.
Samoa Joe won the US title last night,ending R-Truth's brief reign.
Fastlane:
Rey Mysterio vs Andrade will be the pre show match.
JR concerned star is being pushed too fast:
Jim Ross says Lacey Evans is not ready for the push she is about to get... "I remember the old story where Vince said, 'we want to bring Brock Lesnar to television.' And I said, 'he's not ready.' 'He'll be alright.' I said, 'no, he won't alright because he can't protect anybody yet. He's too damn big and strong to not be fundamentally sound and protecting his opponents.' It doesn't take much of a miscue from him before you're in trouble. And Vince realized it and he agreed, so he waited four weeks. Lesnar was on the fast track, but my thoughts are Lacey Evans has everything it takes to be a star. Great media star, she's intelligent and articulate. Get her back in the ring and drill, drill, drill. Everybody you bring in there to wrestle her should be better than her and I hope it's being done."
Champ gone for a long time:
Tommaso Ciampa is set to undergo neck surgery that will keep him benched for a ''Long, long time'' according to the Meltzer. He says Ciampa will be out for 6-14 months and will have to vacate the NXT gold. WWE have since confirmed the surgery and his injury, and a quick google search suggests a 3-6 month lay off for the surgery, although he will need to be monitored after the op, for complications which could delay his return.
Fandango:
Fandango says he wants less comedy skits for his gimmick when he comes back from his injury.
WrestleMania 36:
Local media in Tampa say WWE will officially confirm they have won next years Mania at a press conference tomorrow.
Show renewed:
Women of Wrestling has won a 24 episode second season on AXS.
Wrestler remembers celeb dad:
Jungle Boy has withdrawn from all bookings this month as he mourns his father, Luke Perry... "He was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, he was always Dad. He loved supported me in everything, and inspired me to be the best that I could possibly be. I've learned so much from you, and my heart is broken thinking about everything you won't be here for. I'll miss you every day that I walk this earth. I'll do whatever I can to carry on your legacy and make you proud. I love you Dad."
Shield reunited on Raw last night. They will celebrate their reunion by competing in a 6 man at Fastlane. However fans hoping this signals a change in Dean Ambroses's status are said to be in for further disappointment, he is still expected to leave the company next month.
Booker T:
Booker T has signed for ESPN radio as a host.
Title vacated:
Ronda Rousey's title reign is over. Stephanie announced that the red Women's gold is vacant, and will stay that way until Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair face off at Fastlane to crown a new champion. Rousey later reclaimed her gold, meaning the match was changed. Lynch will now wrestle Flair for a chance to win her spot in the title match at Mania, but if she fails she is ''Done''.
Injury:
Mandy Rose dropped Asuka on her head during a live this week, leaving their Fastlane match in doubt. Asuka later said it is a back injury that forced her to walk away during the match, not a concussion.
HOF:
Here is Torrie Wilson's official induction VT...
Legend dies:
WWE Alum and one time WrestleMania main eventer, King Kong Bundy, has died aged 61. No reason has yet been provided, but it is thought his health has been in decline in recent months.
WWE remember actor:
WWE released a press statement in dedictaion to Luke Perry after his death this week. They say he was widely known to be a huge wrestling and WWE fan, and mentioned his two appearances on their programming, before offering their condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Roman talks cancer treatment:
"There's a pill that they make, there's an oral chemotherapy. There's a few different types now, when they started there was just one. It's not like taking Advil, it's nothing like taking radiation and true chemotherapy. It does have its side effects. It does have nastiness about it. But at the end of the day, if you're lucky enough to just take a pill, you're ahead of the game." He went on to describe his sadness at recent accusations of his illness being faked for TV, but said if one kid can feel some strength at witnessing his battle, and can be comforted by it, then he is happy to have gone public.
SD tease:
R-Truth to issue another United States Championship Open Challenge
The Miz to face Jey Uso
Is Kevin Owens looking to gain more momentum heading into WWE Fastlane?
Will The Hardy Boyz continue their quest to become the greatest tag team?
Fastlane:
Revival vs Roode & Gable vs Aleister Black & Ricochet has been confirmed for this weekend.
Taker recalls iconic career moment:
"When I tossed him (Foley) off of there (HIAC), as I was watching him fall, it seemed like it took forever for him to hit the table. The only thing I can liken it to is an out of body experience. It was very... it was so crazy, it was so loud in there with the people. At that point, nothing like that had ever been done."
Kurt Angle is celebrating 20 years as a pro wrestler today.
WWE star assaulted on plane:
Lince Dorado says he was ''Violently shaken'' from his slumber whilst on a recent flight, and was threatened with arrest after complaining about the rough treatment to the airline personnel. The company told him they needed to be more mindful of how they treated sleeping passengers, but noted that they were about to land, and for safety reasons needed the wrestler to be awake for the safety briefing.
Johnny Jeter recalls good memories of Spirit Squad:
"Man, I can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had. And, we got to wrestle with DX, Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes! Anyone and everyone! We had a great time. And, eventually win the tag titles. Again, initially, not thrilled. But, we had a great time, made the most of it, and enjoyed it."
Rock:
Rock has bought his HOF'er father, Rocky Johnson, a new house.
Paige scores UK number 1:
'Fighting With My Family' is the highest grossing film of the week in the UK.
Swagger reveals creative plan he suggested as he left WWE:
"Before I left, Vince had caught me in the hallway and he told me that they were wasting me and I said, 'Man, that's awesome to hear. Thank you for saying that. I'll be in your office next week with ideas. And I pitched him an idea about leaving and having me go fight MMA and come back and kind of be a little controversy between us or something and then comeback type of deal. And he didn't really want to do anything about it. And after that, not with him, but with everyone else, the communication really broke down, so I was like, 'okay, it's time to go, and so MMA was on my mind. I wanted to do MMA then."
Raw teaser:
Animalistic aggression - Triple H responds
What is the status of the Raw Women's Championship?
Is a Shield reunion on the horizon?
Intercontinental and Extraordinary - Balor and Lashley
SNL "Weekend Update" hosts Michael Che & Colin Jost to be special guests on Raw
Flair sorry, but happy:
Ric Flair says he is sorry for announcing Harley Race was dying of cancer... "After Being Misinformed, I Am Overjoyed To Report That I Was So Wrong For Stating That Harley Race Had Terminal Lung Cancer. It's Great News To Hear That The Former World Champ And My Lifetime Hero Is Doing Well!"
SCSA sorry:
Pillman Jr. says Stone Cold apologised for murdering his kiddie pool during an angle on Raw... "Yeah, Steve broke into my house and there was glass on the floor for like three weeks. Like, wasn't somebody gonna clean this up. He literally broke into my house and rest in peace to that kiddie pool, I never saw it after that. He apologized and I'm still a little salty about it. We buried the hatchet and of course Steve Austin is someone great to have in your corner, constantly calling me up, giving me advice and looking over my matches. It's great. I hope I can follow in Steve's footsteps as well and hopefully become a huge star."
Hall Of Fame:
Torrie Wilson is WWE's latest Hall Of Famer. WWE will confirm her induction officially on Raw tonight.
Why Arn was fired:
Arn Anderson was fired from WWE for allowing a drunk Alicia Fox to wrestle at a live event, despite turning up late and being clearly intoxicated. It was said to be the final straw for AA after a number of run-ins with the boss, Vince. There is no word of the Foxy lady's status, as of this writing.
Wrestler loses celeb dad:
Jungle Boy of AEW has lost his father, actor Luke Perry. The 52 year could not fight back from the massive stroke he suffered last week and succumbed to complications from the event this morning with his family, including 21 year old Jack, around him.
Impact retain talent:
Moose has re-signed with Impact.
JJ gets creative:
Jason Jordan is gaining respect from higher ups in WWE for his creative output. He is said to be regularly invited to big meetings, where his ideas are well received and acted upon.
DX pulled:
X-Pac has revealed DX were set to be inducted into the HOF as headliners in 2013, if HHH's ambition to secure the induction of the legendary Bruno Sammartino failed, it did not, so the group induction of the rebellious attitude era faction was nixed. **Keith Flint / Luke Perry**
"The wrestling game is kind of like a roller coaster. Sometimes that slow build is like the start of every great coaster, when they slowly pull you up just to pull the bottom out and send you rushing down with the big drop. I was asked by a few guys to write for my own character, but at that time I had no clear vision of what they expected from me with all that. Character-wise, I just never had a path. They were always switching me around with one thing or another. I believe the writers had the same problem. I am sure that didn't help."
Taker talks injuries:
"Over the last 28 years, I'd say, conservatively, I've had 15, 16, 17 surgeries. I've had both my eye sockets crushed, I've been set on fire, uh, that was not fun, I've torn a pec, torn biceps. I've had several joint surgeries just to get floating bone chips and different things removed. I've been concussed I don't know how many times, yeah it's taken a pretty good toll on the body."
Injury:
Mustafa Ali is back. He returned on the live circuit this weekend.
New book:
Scott Norton has announced he has written a biog.
Ciampa pulled:
NXT Champ, Tommaso Ciampa, has withdrawn from his indie gig at the promotion he started with, due to injury.
Celeb's on Raw:
WWE have booked two SNL stars to host Raw tomorrow night.
Rey swaps sports:
Rey Mysterio will drive the pace car at an upcoming Nascar meet.
Gail Kim defends HOF leak:
Talking about Torrie Wilson... "Why is it controversial? She has contributed a lot to the business and the fans adored her. There are people who are way more controversial picks. Like that poop Donald Trump. I don't care whether there is a celebrity inductee or not. That whole part should be taken out."
Sgt. Slaughter claims HOF is voted on by wrestlers already inducted:
"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the number one thing that you're shooting for. You don't win titles, you earn titles, and to earn the right to be a Hall of Famer and voted in by your peers — I was unanimously voted in. I was still wrestling, actually, and it was a great honor. I knew what it was like for me to think of what I wanted to say, who I wanted to thank. And as anything, there's time limits. Wrestlers can talk the chrome off a bumper, so you have to try to get it all into one 10-minute conversation — your whole career, your whole life and who to thank. So it's a pretty big deal and I really enjoyed it. This year it's going to be at the Barclays Center, and I look forward to it because it's my favorite time of the week when I hear the stories and hear who they thank and how they got there."
Chavo Guerrero talks successful transition to TV:
"Who won the Emmy for stunt coordination last year? This last Emmy season which was four months - five months ago? GLOW, by the way. Thank you. Emmy and SAG award, yeah, it's crazy, right? I got my television trophies - I guess you want to call them - in a cool little cabinet."
HOF'er dying:
Ric Flair says his great friend and rival Harley Race has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. However, the promoter of CWOH, who has close ties to the family of Race, says, while it is true he has the cancer, it is not terminal.
AEW's financial backer talks plans for the promotion:
"I think the short term goal for this year is to do multiple successful pay-per-views, yeah, like Double Or Nothing, and later on in the year we'll be doing something else that's exciting, and we have a charitable event later on in the summer in Jacksonville, Fight For The Fallen. We'll announce more details for that at a later date. It's a benefit for the victims of gun violence and it's one of the causes we feel really strongly about, In addition to running more successful pay-per-views, I'd say another short term goal is our television program and I'm excited to announce more details about it again in the future. And long term goals, I would like five years from now for this to be a growing business that has been around, that has delivered on all of its promises, that hasn't alienated its fans, that hasn't alienated the performers. I would like for everybody to be able to say that I've never lied to them. I'd like Jericho to say I never lied to him and I'd like The Bucks, or Cody, and Kenny to say I never lied to them. And I'd like everybody to get out of this saying we gave them a fair chance, that we did something good for them, for their career, that we treated them well. I'd like everybody to come out of this five years from now and say thank goodness that we got into this because the wrestling business is in a better place, the fans are happier. I'd like everybody five years from now, long term, to say that when we got into this it was a pivotal moment that changed things for everybody that loves wrestling for the better. I think that would be awesome."
Brother Love claims Taker did not want to return to dead man gimmick:
"I gotta tell you, Mark Calaway hated the idea. Absolutely hated the idea of coming back as The Deadman because he thought the American Bad Ass character was multi-dimensional. He could go out and work a different style of match. He felt if he came back as The Deadman, then he would have to go back to The Deadman persona in the ring. We all felt...'Look. Let's give them at WrestleMania the old Deadman. But you can evolve in the ring and work as the American Bad Ass, but you're the Undertaker.' It was a battle. It was a multi-month battle and he didn't think the people wanted The Deadman back. He wanted to continue on as American Bad Ass and felt it was a step back to go back as the old Undertaker."
Alum's next challenge:
Sandman has signed up for a celebrity boxing match vs a former pro.
Rousey has had enough?:
Ronda Rousey has spoken frankly about her WWE career... "The thing is, I love this job. I really love this job. But I don't need it at all. Not in the least little bit. So, the second I'm not happy, I reserve the right to walk out the door and live happily ever after with the love of my life. And, The Authority—so they are called in this company—are just used to bullying everyone around. And like I said, they give them just enough for them to live a lavish lifestyle, but still have to come back. I don't."
X-Pac spoils HOF changes:
X-Pac says WWE plan big changes to their HOF ceremony, including, he says, removing inductors to speed things along.
HOF leaks:
Two more names have leaked for this years HOF class. Brutus The Barber Beefcake and Torrie Wilson.
Kane celebrates reading day:
Kane dressed as the Cat In The Hat for national reading day in the US (Photo).
ECW banned:
ECW Icon, Sabu, has had his Twitter account banned for hateful conduct, namely homophobic slurs and repeated swearing.
Paige appalled:
Paige has defended the actress that played her in her biopic from a baffling piece on her thighs in a UK newspaper. The reporter wrote... "Though Lowden's performance is gorgeous, Pugh is the film's main weapon. Hauntingly intense in The Falling and Lady Macbeth, the 23-year-old turns out to be an effortlessly nuanced comedian. With chunky thighs. Her character is based on real-world WWEchampion Paige, whose legs are significantly slimmer. How cool! So many actresses offer an idealised version of real women. Pugh is changing the ideal."
Ronda Rousey has threatened to go off script on TV next week, after her social media feud with Becky Lynch got really nasty this week. Becky went personal, going after Ronda's husband with a post responding to Rousey again mocking Becky for her moniker 'The Man' by questioning if she wanted male genitalia, Becky responded with a photo shopped image of her husband, on her, where the penis would be, and said it did look she was getting one. WWE are monitoring the situation, and have reportedly reprimanded both women for their use of expletives in their social media posts.
Ambrose update:
Dean Ambrose has been withdrawn from the live dates in May, he was announced for yesterday, leading to speculation that Roman Reigns had succeeded in talking him out of leaving in April.
David Arquette:
Former WCW World champ, David Arquette, had a heart attack before returning to wrestling. The news was revealed by his sister, Patricia, on a talk show. She claimed he suffered the attack 18 months ago, and again pleaded with him to stop competing in the sport.
Nia reacts:
Nia Jax has been getting trolled over her weight again, she decided to respond... ''Nobody is telling anyone to be OK with it. Not everyone has the same DNA. Yes, I struggle with my weight, but I constantly work out, go to the doctor for regular check ups, I am a VERY healthy athlete. My job requires me to be! People have their own health journey, don’t judge!''
Warrior joins creative:
Dana Warrior, wife of the late HOF'er, Ultimate Warrior, has reportedly started working as a writer for WWE. She has not signed a contract, but will advise and help form stories from a woman's perspective.
Tye agrees to miss AEW show?:
Despite an error from the WWE office Tye Dillinger will not work the debit AEW PPV. WWE were holding off on announcing a number of releases until the AEW event was within the 90 day window that their former talent cannot compete for. They missed, and announced them a couple of days early, but Tye says he will not be taking indie bookings until June 1, which is after the AEW event. So, despite the mistake, and despite interest and praise from Cody Rhodes, he will not be at the new promotions first big night.
Raw leak:
WWE plan to reunite the Shield as a three on Raw next week.
Rayne return:
Madison Rayne left ROH for creative reasons and will be going back to Impact.
