Wrestling news

• 1/5 Edition of NXT Rebellion: Future Of NXT Tag Division, Ember Moon vs Nikki Cross?, A Look Back At Mankind, Brock’s MMA Suspension, More

  05-01-2017 23:06 via wrestlezone.com
  
  WrestleZone Radio presents another brand new episode of NXT Rebellion!
  This episode is hosted by Jamie Campbell and features comedian Dash Kwiatkowski as his co-host.
  Subscribe to WrestleZone Radio on iTunes
  In this episode some of the topics discussed include:
  The future of the NXT Tag Team division
  Mankind’s transition from tortured soul to lovable oaf
  The possibility of Ember Moon and Nikki Cross facing off
  The mystery of Goldberg’s shirtless son
  Whether or not Bro
  
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• Chris Jericho Launching New Website in 2017, Total Divas Hits Season High Viewership, Zack Ryder Sporting Clean Shaven Look (Photo)

  05-01-2017 22:34 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
  Total Divas Hits Season High Viewership
  According to ShowBuzzDaily.com, this week’s edition of Total Divas on the E! network averaged 734,000 viewers. This is up from last week’s 705,000 viewership average and is a new high for season 6. It should be noted that this week’s show was the second in its new time slot.
  Zack Ryder Sporting Clean Shaven Look
  Injured WWE star Zack Ryder has posted the following photo showing off his new clean shav
  
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• Another 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Revealed

  05-01-2017 22:26 via wrestlezone.com
  
  According to PWInsider.com, WWE plans to induct the late “Ravishing” Rick Rude into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
  Rude will join Diamond Dallas Page as the only other name confirmed so far for this year’s Hall of Fame class.
  Rick Rude passed away in April 1999 and made appearances for WWE, WCW and ECW, among others. He held the WWE Intercontinental Title and the WCW United States Heavyweight Title, and retired from in-ring competition in 1994 due to a back injury.
  
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• Bayley Reveals New WWE Signee She Wants to Work With, Talks a Possible Women’s Rumble Match, Figuring Out Her Own Appeal and More

  05-01-2017 22:23 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Card Subject to Change Podcast
  WWE star Bayley recently spoke to the Montgomery Advertiser’s Piledriver podcast and the following highlights have been issued:
  Trying to figure out her own appeal:
  “I ask myself that a lot. I don’t know why people… Why do people like me, or why do people wear my shirts or whatever? I just feel I’m just like this normal chick that loved wrestling and just got lucky enough to pursue it and got to WWE. I feel lik
  
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• Al Snow Reveals What He Didn’t Like About ECW and Why It’s Affecting Wrestling Today, Talks Alex Silva “Pissing Away” His TNA Shot, More

  05-01-2017 21:57 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
  Special guest Al Snow joins Sean Waltman and his crew on X-Pac 12360 this week, revealing that Tough Enough 4 producers ignored his advice to cut the Kurt Angle matches and Dan Severn “couldn’t throw a punch to save his life,” before Al’s coaching. Plus Randy Savage’s brother, “The Genius” Lanny Poffo is trying out for America’s Got Talent and X-Pac 12360 producer Jimbo Franck got a special previ
  
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• PHOTO: Jeff Jarrett and Former WWE Name Backstage at TNA TV Tapings in Orlando

  05-01-2017 21:39 via wrestlezone.com
  
  As we noted moments ago, Jeff Jarrett and his wife Karen Jarrett are backstage at this week’s TNA TV tapings, as Jeff is returning to TNA as an Executive Consultant.
  Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet has Tweeted the following photo of Jarrett backstage, along with Dutch Mantell, fka Zeb Colter in WWE, who is also returning to TNA as a creative consultant:EXCLUSIVE pic of Jeff Jarrett & Dutch Mantell backstage at the Impact tapings.
  Full story: https://t.co/o5N7vzIvMq pic.twitter.com/N
  
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• Jim Ross Thinks Jeff Jarrett Returning To TNA Is Good News, Comments Dolph Ziggler’s Heel Turn

  05-01-2017 21:29
  
  WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry over at his website where he gives his thoughts on various topics. During the blog, Ross commented on Dolph Ziggler’s heel turn and him wrestling Baron Corbin on SmackDown Live this week. Ross thought that Ziggler carried Corbin to arguably his best match on WWE TV. “If Ziggler becoming a TV villain gets Dolph moved up in the cards and more exposure then it is a great move as the talented athlete is a natural, antagonist.”
  
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• Seth Rollins Getting New Theme Song?, Baron Corbin On John Cena, Total Divas Preview

  05-01-2017 21:27
  
  – It appears that Seth Rollins will be getting a new theme song soon. The rock band Downstait, who have done theme songs for The Miz and Dolph Ziggler, has released a preview of Rollins’ new song on their Facebook page, which you can listen to here:
  Sneak peek. #Downstait #SethRollins #WWE
  Posted by Downstait on Thursday, January 5, 2017– WWE has tweeted out this video from Tuesday’s edition of Talking Smack of Baron Corbin talking about John Cena. Corbin said that Cena&r
  
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• Three Top TNA Stars Could Be On Their Way To WWE

  05-01-2017 21:24
  
  As previously noted on the site, Drew Galloway’s deal with TNA is up next month. Galloway did an interview last week where he noted that he has some decisions to make and he is looking at all options, even though he says that he has enjoyed his time in TNA. One would think that WWE would have plans for him for either the UK tournament or as a top star on Raw or Smackdown Live. I could see there being interest from New Japan Pro Wrestling as well but, as Dave Meltzer reported in the latest
  
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• Brock Lesnar Wrestling At SmackDown Live Event In March, Match For Next Wednesday’s NXT, Ryback Releases Book

  05-01-2017 21:22
  
  – WWE has announced that NXT Tag Team Champions Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa will defend the championships against The Revival on next Wednesday’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network. Also, NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will make an announcement.Will #TheRevival @ScottDawsonWWE & @DashWilderWWE become 3x #WWENXT #TagTeamChamps? Find out NEXT WEEK! @JohnnyGargano @ProjectCiampa pic.twitter.com/3SRAeFyz0L
  — WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 5, 2017
  What does your longest-reigni
  
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• Jeff Jarrett Reaches Deal With Anthem To Return To TNA

  05-01-2017 21:19
  
  Jeff Jarrett has reached a deal with Anthem to return TNA, according to PWinsider. As noted, Jarrett and Ed Norholm of Anthem Media have been in talks since last month about Jarrett returning to the company that he founded. He has been in Florida this week and will be backstage at this week’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings at Universal Studios. While Jarrett is back in TNA, this doesn’t mean the end of Global Force Wrestling, which he launched in 2014, as he is still trying to TV deal i
  
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• Kyle O’Reilly Done With ROH, Is He WWE-Bound?

  05-01-2017 21:17
  
  Former Ring of Honor World Champion Kyle O’Reilly is no longer under contract after he turned down a new contract with the company just days before NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 11 event on Wednesday, which saw O’Reilly lose the title to Adam Cole.
  O’Reilly’s contract with ROH expired on December 31st, and when he was approached by the company about re-signing with them, he turned them down and noted that he plans to weigh out his other options for now. It should be noted
  
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• TNA Star Headed To WWE To Compete In The UK Championship Tournament

  05-01-2017 21:15
  
  WWE announced last month that a tournament to crown the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion will take place on January 14th and 15. There will be 2 alternates and 16 tournament participants. The single-elimination tournament will air on the WWE Network.
  On Thursday morning, WWE announced that TNA star Mark Andrews would compete in the tournament. Andrews goes by the name Mandrews in TNA and he had been wrestling for TNA since 2014 in their Cruiserweight division after they discovered him duri
  
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• FOX Sports Covers Daniel Bryan’s Remarks on WWE Part Timers, Amanda Nunes Blasts Ronda Rousey, Says She’s Always Been “Overrated”

  05-01-2017 20:34 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images)
  FOX Sports Covers Daniel Bryan’s Remarks on WWE Part Timers
  As noted, during this week’s edition of WWE Talking Smack, Daniel Bryan offered his thoughts on WWE part timers taking top spots at WrestleMania, and he also addressed criticism of John Cena’s recent part time WWE schedule. FOX Sports has picked up on Bryan’s comments, which you can check out below:
  “Here’s the issue, and I had this issue when I was a full-time
  
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• Jeff Jarrett Confirms He is Returning TNA, Reveals His New Role in the Company and Says It’s a “Great Opportunity for GFW”

  05-01-2017 20:11 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: WENN.com
  As we noted moments ago, Jeff Jarrett and his wife Karen Jarrett will be backstage with TNA at the TV tapings this week, and are returning to the company.
  According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, Jarrett’s new role in TNA will be as an Executive Consultant. Jarrett is reportedly already at the Impact Zone and working on the show.
  Dutch Mantell, fka Zeb Colter in WWE, is also returning to TNA as a creative consultant.
  We also noted that Jarrett returning
  
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• Seth Rollins Getting New Theme Song?, WCPW Announces Talent Departures Due to “WWE Obligations”, Watch Raw with Bubba Dudley

  05-01-2017 20:05 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
  Seth Rollins Getting New Theme Song?
  The band Downstait, who has recorded theme songs for WWE stars Dolph Ziggler, The Miz and more has released a preview of what appears to be Seth Rollins’ new theme song, and you can listen to it at this link.
  Most recently, the band recored Cody Rhodes’ new theme song which he is currently using in TNA, EVOLVE, ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  Watch Raw with Bubba Dudley
  As seen in the Tweet below, Bubba Dudley
  
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• USA Wrestling releases Senior Greco-Roman rankings for January 2017

  05-01-2017 20:04
  
  The January edition of the USA Wrestling Senior Greco-Roman rankings
  
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• Top Name Backstage at This Week’s TNA TV Tapings, Former WWE Name Also Expected Backstage *Spoilers*

  05-01-2017 19:39 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: WENN.com
  According to PWInsider.com, TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett and his wife Karen Jarrett will be backstage at this week’s TNA TV tapings in Orlando. As noted, Jarrett has been having talks with Anthem Sports & Entertainment, who yesterday officially announced their majority share purchase in TNA.
  Anthem originally reached out to Jarrett last month and the PWInsider report notes if he does sign some type of deal with TNA it does not mean he will be folding Glo
  
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• Backstage News on Whether or Not WWE Has Interest in Bringing Back The Hardy Boys, Update on Their Current TNA Deals

  05-01-2017 19:20 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Cagesideseats
  According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE is interested in bringing back either Matt or Jeff Hardy.
  TNA has been trying to lock The Hardy Boys into exclusive deals with the company, but because of the work they do on the indy scene, it would take a significant money offer in order to lock them down exclusively.
  Furthermore, the talks between The Hardys and TNA in terms of a new deal are in the early stages, and Matt is likely angling for more creative control in the co
  
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• Former WWE Creative Writer Reveals His Top Pet Peeves of 2016

  05-01-2017 19:15 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Former WWE Creative Writer Andrew Goldstein, has published a new column at PWMania.com. Goldstein reveals his top pet peeves list of 2016. Here is an excerpt from his article:
  “Look, here’s the thing. It’s been a while since I’ve opined on the state of professional wrestling in this forum but let’s be honest, with the Earth hurdling toward the end of days (apologies to Baron Corbin and his worst tattoos in the biz and weird lengthwise bellybutton) most of my ti
  
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• Hatin’ On: Jeff Jarrett

  05-01-2017 18:00
  
  All that getting to people really takes it’s toll on a man.
  As a youngster, some bad guys were cool – Undertaker, Brian Pillman – they were intriguing, took no shit, and played by their own rules…and then there was Jeff Jarrett. This entire series actually owes its soul to my twelve year-old self’s desire to ball tiny fists and punch that Tennessee bleach blonde hillbilly right in his doofy slackjaw. As I’ve gotten older however, I found myself begin to appre
  
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• Alex Riley on His Behind-the-Scenes Issues with John Cena, Why He Doesn’t Sympathize with CM Punk, His WWE Tryout, Dusty Rhodes & More

  05-01-2017 17:56 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Jackson Laizure/Getty Images
  During the latest edition of The Ross Report podcast, which you can listen to in full at this link, host Jim Ross interviewed former WWE Superstar Alex Riley. Here are a few of the highlights:
  On How He was Discovered:
  I actually found them. I was watching the WWE product after I got done playing football. I chose to stop playing football, or stop attempting it, and I was considering another career path, and considered using that plan b–that
  
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• Was Smackdown Able to Defeat Raw Two Weeks in a Row in the WWE Ratings War?

  05-01-2017 17:44 via wrestlezone.com
  
  According to ShowBuzzDaily.com, this week’s WWE Smackdown Live, featuring Dean Ambrose defeating The Miz for the IC Title, averaged 2.596 million viewers. This week’s number is down from last week’s 2.885 million viewership average. As noted, last week’s Smackdown Live is the first time Smackdown has beaten Raw in the WWE ratings war since the brand split took place in 2016.
  Smackdown was not, however, able to defeat Raw two weeks in a row, as this week’s Raw avera
  
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• Pre-Sale Code for Smackdown Live Event with Brock Lesnar, NXT TV Tapings Tonight, WZ Coverage, Baron Corbin on Facing Cena (Video)

  05-01-2017 17:32 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Harry How/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
  Pre-Sale Code for Smackdown Live Event with Brock Lesnar
  As noted, Brock Lesnar is being advertised for WWE’s return to Madison Square Garden on March 12th. The live event is a Smackdown brand show, and the pre-sale code is WWEMSG. The pre-sale begins today.
  NXT TV Tapings Tonight
  Join WZ tonight beginning around 6:30pm EST for live WWE NXT spoiler coverage from Full Sail University. Tonight’s tapings will be for the final epi
  
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• Press Release: Three Recruits From China Begin WWE Training, Paul “Triple H” Levesque Comments

  05-01-2017 16:55 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo credit ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
  WWE released the following press release this morning:Recruits From China Begin WWE Training
  Three new recruits from China have begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
  Zhao Xia, Yifeng, and Big Boa were among seven recruits signed to developmental contracts after being discovered during a four-day tryout last June in Shanghai. They will join Tian Bing, WWE’s first Chinese talent signed to a developmental contract,
  
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• The Great Khali Returning To US For Two Shows, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton Making Rare Podcast Appearance

  05-01-2017 16:27 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo credit NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)
  The Great Khali Returning To US For Two Shows
  PWInsider.com is reporting that The Great Khali is heading back to the United States soon for his first post-WWE independent wrestling appearances. He will be signing at the Big Event convention in Queens, NY on March 4th and then he will be wrestling for SWS in New Jersey that evening.
  “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton Making Rare Podcast Appearance
  Legendary pro wrestling journalist Bil
  
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• Brie Bella Baby Watch: 23 Weeks & Baby Size Of Grapefruit (Video), Synopsis For Next Week’s Total Divas

  05-01-2017 16:12 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Brie Bella Baby Watch: 23 Weeks & Baby Size Of Grapefruit
  Former WWE Superstar Brie Bella has posted the above video to the official The Bella Twins YouTube page featuring her latest “Baby Watch” update. In this update she talks about being 23 weeks pregnant, the size of the baby and more.
  Related: Brie Bella Posts Two-Part Cooking Video
  Synopsis For Next Week’s Total Divas
  The following is the synopsis listed for next week’s episode of Total Diva
  
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• Details Behind Goldberg’s Latest WWE Contract; How Many WWE PPVs Is He Scheduled To Appear At?

  05-01-2017 15:55 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)
  The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Goldberg’s latest WWE contract includes three PPV appearances:
  The Royal Rumble
  Fastlane
  WrestleMania 33
  He is expected to be making regular WWE TV appearances through WrestleMania to promote all three events.
  Related: Goldberg’s Return Helps This Week’s WWE Raw Average Over Three Million ViewersBill Goldberg Bill Goldberg Bill Goldberg Bill Goldberg during The World Pre
  
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• Nikki Bella Dresses As J-Lo For 200k Subscribers (Video), Former TNA Star Added To WWE UK Tournament

  05-01-2017 15:41 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Nikki Bella Celebrates 200k Subscribers Dressed As J-Lo
  WWE Superstar Nikki Bella has posted the above video to the official The Bella Twins YouTube page featuring her celebrating the YouTube channel breaking 200,000 subscribers. She notes that she is wearing her best J-Lo outfit in the video.
  Related: Nikki Bella Shows Off Her Impression Of Carmella (Video)
  Former TNA Star Added To WWE UK Tournament
  WWE has posted the following to Twitter announcing that former TNA Star Mark Andrews
  
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• Extended Impact Episode & Hardys Announcement Tonight, Sasha Banks Goes Bollywood Backstage (Video)

  05-01-2017 15:30 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Cagesideseats
  Extended Impact Episode & Hardys Announcement Tonight
  TNA has posted the following to Twitter announcing that tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling will be a special, semi-live, extended edition of the show that will feature a ten minute over run:Sometimes 2 hours isn’t enough time. pic.twitter.com/s0K1jcFzMk
  — TNA WRESTLING (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 5, 2017
  Tonight’s episode will also features:
  A Facts Of Life segment with Eli Drake
  
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• Suzuki-Gun Returns To NJPW At New Year Dash, Lays Waste To IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada & Chaos

  05-01-2017 14:35 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
  In a shocking moment at last night’s New Year Dash event at Korakuen Hall, the infamous Suzuki-Gun stable that has been terrorizing Pro Wrestling Noah for two years made their return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. The group, led by their legendary leader Minoru Suzuki, laid waste to IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and every member of his Chaos faction.
  Minoru Suzuki trained in pro wrestling at the New Japan dojo back in 1988, before foundin
  
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• NJPW New Year Dash Results (1/5): Los Ingobernables de Japon Defend 6-Man Titles, Michael Elgin Returns, Bullet Club vs Team 2000

  05-01-2017 09:55 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
  New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan for New Year Dash, their annual night-after Wrestle Kingdom event! Tonight’s show is a blind card, with no matches announced in advance, and will feature fallout from the biggest event of the year, as well as setup some of New Japan’s first major stories for 2017. Our live coverage begins at 4:30 a.m. EST.
  NJPW New Year Dash
  January 5, 2017
  Tokyo, Japan
  Jushin Thunder Liger, Ti
  
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• NJPW New Year Dash LIVE RESULTS IN PROGRESS, JOIN THE DISCUSSION!

  05-01-2017 09:55 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
  New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan for New Year Dash, their annual night-after Wrestle Kingdom event! Tonight’s show is a blind card, with no matches announced in advance, and will feature fallout from the biggest event of the year, as well as setup some of New Japan’s first major stories for 2017. Our live coverage begins at 4:30 a.m. EST.
  NJPW New Year Dash
  January 5, 2017
  Tokyo, Japan
  Jushin Thunder Liger, Ti
  
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• Kyle O’Reilly Reportedly Turned Down Ring Of Honor Contract Days Before Wrestle Kingdom 11

  05-01-2017 05:09 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
  Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting Kyle O’Reilly turned down a new deal to re-sign with Ring Of Honor just days before he competed at Wrestle Kingdom 11 for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
  It was previously reported that O’Reilly was working without a contract as it had expired, and Pro Wrestling Sheet says O’Reilly told ROH he would not re-sign and would instead weigh his options for now.
  Related: Top Ring of Honor Star Working Without a Contract, Forme
  
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• 1/4 Edition of Smackdown Rebellion feat. Bin Hamin: Dean Ambrose Not Being A Lunatic, La Luchadora, More

  05-01-2017 04:54 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Every Tuesday night immediately following Smackdown Live you can listen to WrestleZone Radio’s official post-show, Smackdown Rebellion!
  This week’s episode is hosted by Jonathan Jansen and Impact Rebellion’s Bin Hamin
  Subscribe to WrestleZone Radio on iTunes
  You can listen to even more audio content from WrestleZone Radio in the embedded audio player below:The post 1/4 Edition of Smackdown Rebellion feat. Bin Hamin: Dean Ambrose Not Being A Lunatic, La Luchadora, More appe
  
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• Kazuchika Okada Comments On Wrestle Kingdom 11 Win, How Kenny Omega Challenged Him, NXT Highlights From Melbourne (Videos)

  05-01-2017 04:37 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
  Kazuchika Okada spoke with Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated after last night’s Wrestle Kingdom 11 event in Japan, where he was successful in defeating Kenny Omega in the main event. You can read a few excerpts below:
  Wrestle Kingdom 11
  Okada comments on the challenge presented by Kenny Omega: 
  “I haven’t wrestled as dangerous a guy as Kenny, so I needed to show my other face. I still suffered from pain in my neck from his On
  
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• NJPW New Year Dash Live Tonight Feat. Mystery Card, Wrestle Kingdom Fallout & The New Stories of 2017; Wrestlezone Coverage

  05-01-2017 04:12 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
  Hot off the heels of an incredible night at the Tokyo Dome with Wrestle Kingdom 11, New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to Korakuen Hall for their annual New Year Dash event.For those new to the promotion, think of New Year Dash as the Monday Night Raw the night after WrestleMania. It’s the only card of the year where the matches aren’t announced ahead of time, featuring all the stars from Wrestle Kingdom, often including several of the surprise lege
  
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• WWE Introduces Four New Female Performance Center Recruits Including Kimber Lee, Heidi Lovelace (Photo)

  05-01-2017 04:04 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Bill Pritchard
  WWE.com posted the following after formally announcing the signing of four new female recruits for the WWE Performance Center; the recruits include indpendent star Heidi Lovelace, former Chikara Champion Kimber Lee, former TNA / Shine star Andrea and newcomer Julia Ho:From a punk-rock pugilist to a powerhouse protégé of The Dudley Boyz, four new female recruits have joined the WWE Performance Center, bolstering the already robust pipeline of competitors
  
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• Ricardo Rodriguez Reveals How He Became A Recurring Character With Alberto Del Rio, The Fall Of The Ascension, Being RVD’s Announcer

  05-01-2017 03:55 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Getty Images
  Ricardo Rodriguez was a recent guest on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show with Chris Featherstone. He had much to say about his career outside of WWE, thoughts on the Ascension being booked poorly, and announcing for Alberto Del Rio and RVD; you can read a few highlights, and listen to the full interview below:Ricardo Rodriguez reveals how he was only supposed to announce for Alberto Del Rio one time: “I was just supposed to be there for [Alberto]
  
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• Kenny Omega’s First Comments After Wrestle Kingdom 11, Comments On New Japan’s Trust In Him, Says The WWE Title Has No Prestige

  05-01-2017 03:41 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: www.SI.com
  Kenny Omega spoke with Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated after last night’s Wrestle Kingdom 11 event in Japan, where he was unsuccessful in defeating Kazuchika Okada in the main event. You can read a few excerpts below:
  Related: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 Results (1/4): Kazuchika Okada vs Kenny Omega, Tanahashi vs Naito, Cody Rhodes Debuts & More
  Kenny Omega comments on the successful year he had, despite losing at Wrestle Kingdom 11:
  “I have dealt
  
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• BREAKING NEWS: Dixie Carter Resigns From TNA Impact Wrestling

  05-01-2017 03:26
  
  Anthem officially announces it has acquired control of TNA Impact Wrestling. Dixie Carter resigns as chairman.
  Anthem Sports & Entertainment Forms Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC, Acquires Control of IMPACT Wrestling
  Toronto, Canada (January 4, 2017) – Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in TNA IMPACT Wrestling, and has formed Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC. Anthem also owns Fight Network
  
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• Finn Balor Comments On Will Ospreay Working For New Japan, Comparisons To His Career, The WWE UK Title Tourney Making New Stars

  05-01-2017 03:20 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)
  Finn Balor recently spoke to Nicolas Atkin for ESPN.com; you can read a few highlights below:
  Finn Balor comments on Will Ospreay working for New Japan Pro Wrestling: 
  “Will Ospreay has obviously done incredible things. He’s out in New Japan now and that’s gonna really make him brush up on his fundamentals. The fundamentals are literally the foundation for everything we do. Without those, there are just holes in your work that you can
  
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• Deonna Purrazzo Appearing At This Week’s TNA Tapings, Finn Balor Q&A Details, Was Dean Ambrose Winning The IC Title The Right Move?

  05-01-2017 03:07 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
  Deonna Purrazzo
  Squared Circle Sirens is reporting independent wrestler Deonna Purrazzo is scheduled to wrestle at this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings.
  It was not said which date or how many nights Purrazzo will appear, as TNA is scheduled to tape several episodes of Impact Wrestling and One Night Only pay-per-views, but could give some insight as to her status with WWE.
  Purrazzo’s appearance this weekend would likely mean she has
  
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• Booker T Calls His WCW Best-Of-Seven Series With Chris Benoit, “The Best Thing That I Ever Did”

  05-01-2017 02:50 via wrestlezone.com
  
  The latest episode of former WCW President Eric Bischoff’s podcast Bischoff on Wrestling was released earlier tonight and features former WCW/WWE World Heavyweight Champion Booker T!
  Some of Booker’s comments about his infamous Best-of-Seven Series with Chris Benoit in WCW have been transcribed below.
  Subscribe to Bischoff on Wrestling on iTunesBT: Getting in the ring with him (Benoit) and going out there and doing the Best-of-Seven was something that he and I thought
  
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• Booker T & Eric Bischoff Discuss Donald Trump’s Appeal To The Middle Class; Booker’s Political Identity

  05-01-2017 02:29 via wrestlezone.com
  
  The latest episode of former WCW President Eric Bischoff’s podcast Bischoff on Wrestling was released earlier tonight and features former WCW/WWE World Heavyweight Champion Booker T!
  Some of Booker’s comments about his decision to run for the Mayor of Houston, TX have been transcribed below.
  Subscribe to Bischoff on Wrestling on iTunes
  On his political identity:BT: I haven’t declared a party or anything like that. The reason being is that, like I always tell people, y
  
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• Anthem Acquires Impact Wrestling, Announces New Role For Dixie Carter

  05-01-2017 02:21 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Anthem Sports & Entertainment formally announced today they have entered into an agreement to acquire majority shares and control of TNA Impact Wrestling, and announced a new role for former TNA President Dixie Carter.
  Anthem has created Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC as a result of the agreement, and Ed Nordholm will serve as president of the new group. The announcement also mentions Dixie Carter will now serve on the Advisory Board for Fight Media Group, after
  
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• Impact Wrestling And POP TV Joining Hulu As Part Of New Live Channel Package From CBS Corporation

  05-01-2017 02:00 via wrestlezone.com
  
  Hulu issued the following press release today, announcing the CBS Corporation will be will be joining the company’s new live television streaming service that is set to launch this year.
  Impact Wrestling fans have reason to celebrate as POP TV is owned by CBS, and is one of the many channels included in the service. You can read the full release below:
  CBS Corp. Joins 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company and Turner Networks In 
  Hulu’s New Live TV Offering
  SANTA MONICA
  
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• USADA Issues Statement About Brock Lesnar’s Suspension From MMA

  05-01-2017 01:47 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Harry How/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
  As noted earlier today, Brock Lesnar has been suspended for one year by USADA after he failed two drug tests in relation to his UFC 200 fight against Mark Hunt last summer.
  Related: Brock Lesnar Suspended by USADA Following UFC 200 Doping Case
  USADA issued the following statement following the announcement of Lesnar suspension. He is eligible to return to competition on July 15, 2017, which is one year after his provisional
  
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• The Ric Flair Show Podcast Has Ended, FloSlam Comments On ACH Signing With EVOLVE

  05-01-2017 01:39 via wrestlezone.com
  
  (Photo by Aaron Davidson/WireImage)
  Ric Flair
  The Ric Flair Show podcast Twitter account recently noted the show is ending. No official explanation was given, but co-host Conrad Thompson did note on his personal Twitter account that the relationship with Flair is still on good terms, and he will comment briefly about the show’s status on this week’s Something To Wrestle… with Bruce Prichard. 
  It was also noted today that The Ric Flair Show’s Pro Wrestling
  
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• WWE RAW Viewership Rebounds This Week

  05-01-2017 01:06
  
  – According to ShowBuzz Daily, this weeks episode of WWE RAW, featuring Bill Goldberg’s return kicking off 2017, drew 3.046 million viewers.This number is up 6.7% from last week’s 2.855 million viewers.
  * First hour drew 3.042 million viewers* Second hour drew 3.159 million viewers* Final hour drew 2.939 million viewers
  RAW was #8 on cable for the night in viewership, behind the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Cotton Bowl and four other ESPN college football programs.The post WW
  
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