TV Listings – Wednesday: Joe vs. Zayn 2/3 Falls on NXT, Lucha Underground top matches, ROH TV tournament finals, Livecast

Mar 09, 2016 12:25 am | James Caldwell

TV/Radio Listings – Upcoming Wrestling Broadcasts

Includes PWTorch Livecast airings, TV wrestling, original Network content, PPVs, Internet PPVs, and other relevant broadcasts.

Wednesday, March 9

– PWTORCH LIVECAST: Pat McNeill welcomes back Disco Inferno, plus Jim Valley for a special Livecast at 5:00 p.m. EST at PWTorchLivecast.com.

– WWE NXT: WWE finally determines the #1 contender to the NXT Title. It will be Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn in a 2/3 Falls match at 8:00 p.m. EST on WWE Network.

– Lucha Underground: Lucha continues its run on El Rey Network at 8:00 p.m. EST.

• Mil Muertes vs. Pentagon, Jr. vs. Prince Puma in a triple threat match
• Johnny Mundo vs. Brian Cage

– ROH TV: This week’s Ring of Honor TV episode airs late-night on Comet TV.

• Christopher Daniels vs. Dalton Castle
• Finals of the Top Prospect Tournament

Thursday, March 10

– PWTORCH LIVECAST: Wade Keller talks live with reporter Brian Fritz, who has been in the thick of the action in Orlando with WWE announcing WM33 for 2017. Call in/listen live at 5:00 p.m. EST at PWTorchLivecast.com.

– WWE Smackdown: WWE leads into the “Roadblock” Network special with the following items scheduled. (Full SPOILER Results) (Non-Spoiler Line-up)

• Miz TV segment: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
• Chris Jericho explains turning on A.J. Styles
• Main Event: Team Ambrose vs. The Wyatts in an eight-man tag match.

More to follow this week…

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3/8 TNA Impact Report – Kurt Angle's TNA Farewell match vs. Lashley, new TNA Tag Champs, more title matches

Mar 08, 2016 10:55 pm | James Caldwell

TNA Impact Wrestling Report
March 8, 2016
Taped in Birmingham, U.K. at Barclaycard Arena
Aired on Pop TV
Report by Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonPW), PWTorch contributor

TNA opened with a video highlighting Kurt Angle's TNA career. The narrator called tonight a "moment in time that can't be missed," as Kurt Angle wrestles Bobby Lashley in his final TNA match.

Josh Mathews welcomed us to the show as crowd shots were shown.

In-ring: Dixie Carter was set to address the fans. She says she wants to thank everyone for being here, because it's going to be a very special and emotional evening. The camera pans back, and at least a good portion of the TNA roster is surrounding the ring.

"We're here to celebrate an incredible man," Carter said. Carter than introduces Angle to the crowd, calling him "the best wrestler in the history of our sport."

As Angle comes to the ring, Mathews notes that Angle was the first TNA World Champion, when the NWA was removed from the belt. Angle greets Gail Kim, Bobby Roode, James Storm, and Drew Galloway as he enters the ring.

"Tonight marks the end of the Kurt Angle farewell tour," Dixie said, choking back tears. "I speak for every fan, everyone who has ever worked for you, no one has wanted to see this day come. I'll never forget what you did for this company 10 years ago, when we shocked the wrestling world, and kept it a secret, believe it or not."

Dixie said that Angle has set the bar high for the company, and the industry. "I am eternally grateful to you, for what you have done for us," Dixie said, crying. "I speak for everyone when I say, thank you Angle." The crowd sheered "Thank you Angle!" as Dixie gave Angle a long hug.

Drew Galloway stepped in the ring and grabbed a microphone. He said that he came to Impact to compete with the best wrestlers on the planet. But he said the main reason was to wrestle the best wrestler of all-time, Kurt Angle. "I mean that," he said.

"All of us wanted to be pro wrestlers our whole life," Galloway said, "and 100 percent of us wanted to be Kurt Angle. I just wanted to say, thank you so much."

Now Kurt has the mic. "Thank you for the warm reception, I'm a little overwhelmed right now," he said. "I came to TNA about 10 years ago because I needed to find myself. They say when a wrestler retires he becomes a shell of himself, but not me. I'm a better man, a better husband, and a better father." Kurt began crying when he said that last line.

"I'm a better friend and a better wrestler, and Dixie I want to thank you for that," he said. "Most of all, most importantly, I want to thank each and every one of you for being such gracious fans. I love you all. I can honestly say right now that I am the luckiest man on this planet. Thank you."

At this point, Lashley's music hits and he begins to walk to the ring with a microphone. "Thank you Kurt," he said. "Thank you Kurt. What a truly amazing experience we have here today. It's a truly amazing experience for everyone here on the roster. Today's going to be a rough day.

"But at the same time, it's a great time for everyone in the arena to be here for Kurt Angle's last wrestling match. And lastly, it's truly an amazing honor to have an opportunity to not only wrestle the man who got me into this business, the amazing Kurt Angle. And for that, I say thank you. The only sad thing is, as I look in your eyes Kurt, you're just not ready to wrestle. You're just not ready, Kurt."

Lashley drops his mic and walks out, as the camera zooms in on Angle's eyes. Lashley is shown walking back up the ramp, clapping his hands.

[Reax: Just two weeks ago, Lashley was playing a big heel in a promo opposite Angle. He did a little bit here as well, at least at the end, but he was a little too respectful at the start of this promo. I'm sure that Angle is a big role model for Lashley, but if they are really trying to build heat for this match, then Lashley should have followed up his previous promo more strongly. The audience doesn't need to see Lashley's admiration for Angle. That doesn't do anything but douse the little friction they created with his promo a few weeks ago. If Lashley wanted to show respect for Angle, do it after the match, not an hour before it.]

Tonight: The Wolves vs. Beer Money and Eric Young defends the KOTM Title right now.

In-arena: Jeremy Borash announces Eric Young to the ring for his King of the Mountain Title defense.

[Commercial break at 9:12]

1 — TNA King of the Mountain champion ERIC YOUNG vs. BRAM vs. BIG DAMO vs. JIMMY HAVOC vs. WILL OSPREAY — King of the Mountain Title match

About one minute into the match, Ospreay pinned Havoc to earn the right to hang the belt. After one minute, Havoc got out of the penalty box as most of the group wrestled on the outside. After Havoc got out of the penalty box, he climbed to the top and took out Damo and Bram.

In the ring, E.Y. whips Ospreay into the turnbuckle and hits a running clothesline. Meanwhile, Mathews says that next week, Jeff Hardy will return on Impact. E.Y. hits Jimmy Havoc with a piledriver on the ring steps, which makes him eligible to hang the title.

[Q2] In the ring, Bram hits a Brighter Side of Suffering on Big Damo to become eligible. E.Y. comes in and, as Mathews calls it, there is an implosion as they begin to trade right hands. Bram drops E.Y. and grabs a ladder, climbing with the title in an attempt to hang it, but E.Y. gets back up in time and pushes the ladder over. Pope says that this is what he likes about Impact – titles matter.

Ospreay springboards into the ring and takes out E.Y. Ospreay begins to climb the ladder with the title, but E.Y. hits a flying neckbreaker off the rope. After a replay, E.Y. climbs the ladder and hangs the belt to retain the title.

WINNER: Eric Young retains the KOTM Title at 6:48.

After the match, E.Y. grabs the title and runs back up the ramp. Mathews announces that next week, on a live edition of Impact, E.Y. will go one-on-one with a returning Jeff Hardy.

Video: Mathews throws to a video highlighting Kurt Angle's TNA career, beginning with his 2006 Genesis match against Samoa Joe, when Angle became the first person to beat Joe in TNA.

Backstage: Maria thanks Dixie Carter for having her and The Miracle there. Maria says it was an inspiring move, on her part. Maria says that tonight, Mike Bennett wants to call out Dixie and ask her a question, and that tonight Dixie can be part of making a Miracle happen. Maria also says that she could be an asset in the Knockouts Division. She tells Dixie to give her assistant a call and they can have a formal chit-chat. "As it relates to the Knockouts," Dixie said, "I saw what happened between you and Gail. And like Gail, I believe in actions more than words." Maria just stares off into the distance as the show goes to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:26]

Back from the break, Maria and Mike Bennett are in the ring. Maria says that before they call out Dixie, Bennett should tell them who and what the Miracle is?

[Q3] "Do you people want to know what the miracle is that's happening tonight?" Bennett asks. The crowd boos. "That's a resounding yes.” Bennet continues: "Arguably the greatest pro wrestler alive, Kurt Angle, who ducked me and cheap-shotted me by the way, he's on his way out the door. So the miracle that's happening tonight is that I will be named the No. 1 contender for the TNA World Hvt. Championship. And once I become the No. 1 contender, I will go on and win the TNA World Title and complete my mission of saving this company, and saving all of pro wrestling. So Dixie, come on down and let's make this miracle happen."

Instead of Dixie Carter, out comes Drew Galloway, who still holds a TNA World Title match in his Feast or Fired briefcase. "You don't get it," Galloway said. "You think everything is going to get handed to you. I have a news flash for you, this is a wrestling company, not a charity. If you want that title shot, I have some advice. I suggest you do a little more fighting, and a lot less running your mouth like a little b—-."

Bennett said that Galloway knows about charities, because he begged Kurt Angle for a second match because he didn't get the job done the first time. He said that Galloway won some game show for his World Title shot. "Let the adults talk, Drew," Bennett said. "You go back there where you belong. Go get Dixie for me."

Galloway said he could do that, or he could also … And Galloway gives Bennett a shot and he's all over him. But Bennett fires back. Galloway rolls over and throws double fists. Galloway hits a clothesline. "That was my moment!" Bennett yelled as he retreated up the ramp. "You ruined my moment!"

Angle Video: Highlights of Angle's first TNA World Hvt. Title win were shown, when Angle won a King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary.

Backstage: The Wolves told Angle how much they respect him. Davey says he's been looking up to Angle since he was a kid. Angle said he appreciates it, and that they have no idea how good they really are. Angle ribs Richards for using the anklelock, and then said that he's allowed to use it. "Ken Shamrock passed it on to me, and I'm passing it on to you," he said. Angle told the Wolves to go out and defend their tag titles, and when it was over, he'd show Richards some pointers on the anklelock.

Up next: Gail Kim vs. Jade for the Knockouts Title.

[Commercial Break at 9:39]

Back from the break, Jade is already in the ring and Gail Kim is making her ring entrance.

2 — TNA Knockouts champion GAIL KIM vs. JADE

Gail whips Jade into the corner. Back in the middle, Jade drops Gail on her knee. Jade then walks over Gail's rib cage and connects with kicks to her face as she tries to stand up.

Gail starts to get some offense back and brings Jade to the corner, wrapping Jade in a figure-four around the ringpost. The referee breaks it at a four count and Gail goes back into the ring. She drags Jade to the middle, but Jade kicks her off, sending Jade to the mat.

[Q4] Jade goes for a submission but Gail gets out and reverses into a modified arm bar. Jade lands a kick as they get up off the mat. As both get to their feet, Gail blocks two right hands from Jade and whips her into the turnbuckle. Jade misses a clothesline.

Jade tries for package piledriver, but Gail blocks it. Gail goes to the top and hits a crossbody, but Jade rolls through it for a two count. Gail turns over that pin attempt and lands a pin for the win. After the match, Gail grabs her title and celebrates as she walks back up the ramp.

WINNER: Gail Kim retains at 6:31.

Backstage: Beer Money is approaching the ring for their Tag Title match against The Wolves.

[Commercial Break]

Back from the break, Mathews announces that ECIII will have one more World Title shot next week against Matt Hardy.

Mathews then throws to Matt Hardy in a pre-taped interview. "This is an injustice," Hardy said. "What did you pull, ECIII, to get this done? One more shot at my World Title? I told everyone there was a conspiracy against me!" Hardy then calms down and says he doesn't know why he was getting worked up, because ECIII can't beat him.

3 — TNA Tag Team champions THE WOLVES (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. BEER MONEY (James Storm & Bobby Roode) – TNA Tag Title match

Storm and Edwards start out the match. Edwards wraps up Storm's arm and Richards tags in.

[Q5 — second hour] Storm works his way to his corner and tags in Roode, who grabs a side headlock. Good teamwork by the Wolves, as Edwards drops Roode with a drop toehold and Richards flies in with a dropkick. Similar double-team on Storm, only Richards dropped an elbow.

Back to their feet, Richards helps Edwards fly through a double suplex. The Wolves hit a double dive on Beer Money. Edwards rolls Roode back into the ring, drops a leg, and goes for a cover but Roode kicks out. Roode then hits Edwards with an atomic drop and Storm tags in, taking him out from behind.

Roode tags back in and gets a two count on Edwards. Roode snaps Edwards over and locks him in a chin lock and then brings him to the mat with a front facelock. Edwards hits a double huracanrana on Beer Money. Edwards dives and makes a tag to Richards. The Wolves are in control after Richards hits dual dropkicks.

[Commercial Break at 10:05]

Back from the break, Richards has Roode in the anklelock, but Storm is the legal man. Roode gets to the rope for a break. Storm climbs to the top where he grabs Richards but Richards slips free and drops Storm on the turnbuckle. Storm is on the tree of woe as Richards climbs the opposite turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick. Storm kicks out at two, though.

Richards tags in Edwards. After some back-and-forth, Storm hits Edwards with a huracanrana off the top. Roode then lands a top-rope splash, but Edwards kicks out. After a backstabber, Storm tags in Roode. Beer Money follows that with their signature "Beer! Money!" spot. But, Edwards counters out of the DWI.

Storm charges Edwards, but Richards hits him with a kick. Richards flies off the top at Storm but Storm lifts his knees. Roode hits a spinebuster on Edwards and Storm catches him in a DDT, but Edwards kicks out at two.

Roode sets up Edwards on the top rope. Edwards fights his way out and drops Roode to the mat. Edwards goes up on the ropes, but Storm takes out Edwards and drops him on the turnbuckle. Beer Money hits DWI for the win.

WINNERS: Beer Money wins the TNA World Tag Team Titles at 16:15.

[Q6] After the match, Storm and Roode celebrate, as Mathews points out that this is their fifth title win. On the outside, TNA officials appear to be helping one of the Wolves to their feet, but it's hard to tell who it is. The camera doesn't focus on them. The camera does finally show The Wolves walking back up the ramp, as Edwards is helping Richards walk after he blew out his knee.

[Reax: What a match. WWE's tag team division is so much better now than it was four or five years ago, but there isn't a team in WWE that can touch what Beer Money and The Wolves did here. The teamwork and double-team moves, the fast-paced action, it's just not WWE's style. TNA also gave these four plenty of time. It was a little more than 16 minutes of television time, but who knows how long that match actually was? It could have been edited down from 20-plus minutes. There wasn't a dull second for the entire match.]

Angle Video: Highlights of Angle's TNA Hall of Fame induction are shown.

Backstage: Lashley is shown walking backstage and he sees Drew Galloway. "After tonight, there will be a new top dog in town, and it's not you," Lashley tells Galloway.

Still to come: Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Lashley.

[Commercial Break at 10:17]

Back from the break, Mathews threw to fan-submitted videos for Kurt Angle, where fans thanked Angle for his TNA tenure.

Backstage: Angle is warming up as Mike Bennett approaches. "Kurt, I am a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason, and everything (Lashley) does out there tonight, you deserve. But you could have wrestled me. You're done, and that's fine. Hall of Famer vs. future Hall of Famer. If you ever get that wrestling itch and want to scratch it, I'll be here to beat you, Kurt." Angle says that Bennett better hope he never decides to come back, or it would get real.

[Reax: Could this be building up to something? There doesn't seem to be a reason to have Bennett and Angle keep interacting if it's not going to lead to a match. Building up this Lashley match as Angle's last, only to go back on that so quickly is not the best move, but down the road if Angle does decide to come back for one match, there is a built-in opponent with Bennett. If nothing else, he at least got to interact with him.]

In-ring: Grado runs to the ring and says that he has video proof he was screwed in Feast or Fired. He tells "his friend" Kenny Smith to play the video, and Eli Drake comes to the ramp along with Jessie Godderz.

"Look at you, you're pathetic," Drake said. "Here you are, begging for your job back." The crowd is chanting for Grado. Drake says that security has taken out Grado for two weeks in a row. Now this week, he says that he's going to walk to the ring with his Feast or Fired briefcase and smash it over Grado's head so many times, he'll never come back.

Godderz says that they are two people who "don't have to pump up in the back" in order to take him out. Godderz and Drake them jump Grado, laying boots to him in the corner. That brings out Mahabali Shera, who runs in to help Grado. He goes to work on Godderz in the corner, but Drake lays out Grado with the briefcase. He then slams the briefcase over Shera's back. Grado then emerges, taking out Godderz and Drake and stealing the briefcase.

Backstage: Lashley and Angle are shown walking to the ring.

[Commercial Break at 10:28]

Back from the break, Mathews says that Jeff Hardy returns and there is a World Title match between Matt Hardy and ECIII.

Video: Mathews throws to a music video tribute dedicated to Kurt Angle's career. As clips are shown of Angle's career, cuts from his promo a few weeks ago on Impact air, where he thanks the fans.

Comments from Pat Kenney, his agent, Al Snow, Shane Helms, and Earl Hebner, are shown as part of the video as well. As the video closes, a graphic reading "Thank You Kurt" is shown as the crowd chants "Thank you Angle!" in the background.

In-arena: Lashley makes his entrance. He's followed by Angle, as Mathews runs down Angle's resume, including his multiple World Titles and Olympic gold medal. Jeremy Borash handles ring introductions for Angle's final match. Brian Hebner will be tonight's referee.

[Reax: This was obviously a huge match, but TNA did a really great job making it feel like a huge match. Between the ring walks and introductions, it felt more than a typical TNA main event, including World Title matches.]

[Commercial Break at 10:40]

4 — BOBBY LASHLEY vs. KURT ANGLE

The bell rings as Angle and Lashley circle each other in the ring. Of note, Lashley is wearing a bright white headband. Good mat wrestling to begin the match. Angle has a headlock, but Lashley begins to power out. Angle resets the side headlock and Lashley resorts to throwing fists at his mid-section.

[Q8] Angle hits a German Suplex, and then another. Angle whips Lashley into the corner but he backs out with an elbow to Angle. Lashley mounts little offense as Lashley gets back in control with right hands in the corner.

Lashley hurdles Angle as he goes off the ropes and then catches Angle, tossing him across the ring before getting a two count. Lashley is now in control and jams his boot into Angle's throat for a count of four before he breaks it.

Lashley drapes Angle's neck on the rope and begins to choke him with his knee. Lashley throws elbows in the corner but Angle begins to fight back. Lashley comes right back, driving his shoulder into Angle's gut in the corner. Angle goes off the rope and is able to kick Lashley, but Lashley comes right back with a spinning elbow to remain in control of the pace. Lashley covers Angle for a two count at 4:57.

As Angle begins to get to his feet, Lashley grabs a side headlock. Angle tries to power out with elbows but Lashley stands toe-to-toe as both trade right hands. Angle ducks a punch and hits two straight German suplexes without releasing. Lashley gets out of the grip with an elbow and then a power slam.

Angle drops Lashley with an Angle Slam after avoiding the spear, but Lashley kicks out at two. Angle is bleeding from his mouth. Pope says it came from the back elbow. Angle locks up Lashley for three more German suplexes and then grabs the anklelock at 6:50. Lashley reverses into a cross-arm breaker, but Angle somehow rolls out of it and again locks in an anklelock. Lashley is in the middle of the ring. He powers Angle to the corner and then hits a spinebuster as Angle charges him.

Lashley is stalking Angle as he lays on the ground. Lashley hits Angle with a second spear for another two count. Lashley stalks Angle again looking for a third spear but Angle side-steps it, throwing Lashley into the corner post and then snatching an anklelock at 9:37. Mathews says that Lashley has nowhere to go. Angle drops to the mat and wraps his legs around Lashley's, still cranking his ankle. Mathews says that Lashley is going to tap out, giving Angle a storybook ending.

However, Lashley breaks the hold with a kick as Angle tried to reposition himself. Angle misses a spear and Lashley hits a spear out of nowhere for the win.

WINNER: Bobby Lashley at 10:57.

After the match, they show a close-up of Angle on the mat bleeding from his mouth. Pope says that Lashley did it through his own merit. Lashley picks up Angle for a hug as Brian Hebner is applauding. Lashley has a huge smile on his face as he raises Angle's hand.

Then, Lashley drops Angle with a huge clothesline before sitting in the corner. Angle gets back up and Lashley smashes Angle with another spear before throwing Brian Hebner outside the ring.

Drew Galloway charges the ring. Galloway is screaming at Lashley, as Lashley throws his hands up. Galloway checks on Angle and Lashley spears Galloway. Eddie Edwards runs in to help but he gets a spear.

Lashley then picks up Angle for another spear. Suddenly, ECIII's music hits. He walks into the ring and goes face-to-face with Lashley, who backs down and walks out of the ring as ECIII stares him down. ECIII stands in the ring, noticing all of the carnage and he goes to check on Angle. Mathews says that Lashley has rocked Impact Wrestling to its very core.

Next week: Eric Young vs. Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy vs. ECIII as Impact will be live next week.

[FINAL THOUGHTS: Lashley works better as a heel. He had the storyline a few weeks back of the mystery woman flirting with him, and that could be part of the explanation for his change in attitude here. Although TNA runs the risk of that mirroring the Matt Hardy/Reby story currently being told.

They seemed intent on getting Lashley over as a heel after this match, destroying everyone that came to Ange's aid, including the man of the hour, twice.

It was good booking to have ECIII come out and make the save, with Lashley retreating. Again, TNA saved the blows for a future episode like they did with Spud and ECIII two weeks ago.]

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3/8 WWE on SportsCenter – Shawn Michaels teases WM32 involvement, reveals new insight on why he retired, talks Flair retirement match, WMX, more

Mar 08, 2016 10:39 pm | James Caldwell

WWE on SportsCenter
Guest: Shawn Michaels
Host: The Coach
Airdate: Tuesday, March 8, 2016

This week’s interview on ESPNews featured Shawn Michaels mainly discussing his WrestleMania memories.

Michaels also teased doing a run-in at WrestleMania 32 in his home state of Texas. Michaels did not break news on what his involvement would be, but he suggested he will be at WM32.

The interview included Michaels revealing new insight on why he retired at WrestleMania 26 as part of his two-match series with The Undertaker.

Michaels said that the year before he was having a routine conversation with someone who commented that his son was “half-way gone” at 9-years-old. Michaels said it was a wake-up call that his son was going to be 18 and out of the house one day, so he decided he wanted to be completely focused on being a family man.

“From that point on, it was time for me to start thinking about life after WWE,” Michaels said. He noted that being full-time in wrestling “infilitrates every aspect of life,” so he needed a clean break despite still being able to wrestle at a high level when he retired in 2010.

Michaels said he knew he could not do his job justice being a part-time wrestler, and he has too much respect for the industry to not perform at the highest level possible.

Michaels said that was his goal at WM24 when he retired Ric Flair. Michaels said he was like a 15-year-old kid in the ring wrestling Flair, who had “such a huge impact on me.” Michaels said the most important thing to him was honoring Flair for all that he had done for the wrestling industry and for him as a wrestler.

Michaels also flashed back to WrestleMania 10, which was around the time he decided to try to “steal the show” at WrestleMania. Michaels said he wanted people to talk about him and his match no matter where he was on the card. And, the famous ladder match against Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) at WMX was the start of his “Mr. WrestleMania” movement.

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3/10 WWE Smackdown SPOILERS – Full Results for Thursday

Mar 08, 2016 09:50 pm | James Caldwell

WWE Smackdown TV Taping Report
March 8, 2016
Milwaukee, Wis.
Report by Ben Tucker, PWTorch TV specialist

Read Tucker’s in-person tweets from the TV taping @BTuckerTorch.

Smackdown SPOILERS 3/10

– Miz TV opened the taping. Miz introduced Sami Zayn and wanted Zayn to introduce himself, but Zayn wanted to focus on IC champion Kevin Owens. Owens came out to trash-talk Zayn, then tried to leave, but Neville interrupted. Miz attacked Sami and it was time for a tag match.

(1) Sami Zayn & Neville beat IC champion Kevin Owens & The Miz. Owens refused to fight Zayn, leaving Miz to get pinned by Zayn.

(2) Brie Bella submitted Summer Rae. Lana, who was on commentary, left the announce desk to attack Brie and hit the X Factor.

Raw Recap #2.

Chris Jericho came out and torched “Y2AJ” t-shirts. Jericho said he hates everyone for cheering A.J. Styles. Fantastic imagery. Styles interrupted to go after Jericho, but The Ascension interrupted and Styles took them out. The second part may or may not be for Smackdown, as it seemed spur of the moment.

(3) League of Nations (King Barrett & Sheamus w/Rusev) beat Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara & U.S. champion Kalisto). Barrett pinned Cara. Afterward, Ryback cut a promo from the Titantron to keep his issue going with Kalisto.

Raw Recap #3.

(4) Dean Ambrose & Dolph Ziggler & The Usos beat The Wyatts (Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman) in an eight-man tag team main event.

This closed a solid Smackdown. No dark segment.

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3/10 Smackdown Non-Spoiler Line-up for Thursday

Mar 08, 2016 09:45 pm | James Caldwell

The following is the Non-Spoiler Smackdown line-up for this week’s show leading into the Roadblock Network special…

– Advertised top item: Miz TV with IC champion Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

– Chris Jericho addresses ending tag partnership with A.J. Styles on Raw.

– Main Event: Dean Ambrose & Dolph Ziggler & The Usos vs. The Wyatts in an eight-man tag match.

– League of Nations vs. Lucha Dragons.

– Brie Bella vs. Summer Rae.

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3/8 WWE Main Event Results from Smackdown TV

Mar 08, 2016 09:38 pm | James Caldwell

WWE Smackdown TV Taping Report
March 8, 2016
Milwaukee, Wis.
Report by Ben Tucker, PWTorch TV specialist

Read Tucker’s in-person tweets from the TV taping @BTuckerTorch.

Dark Match: Fandango beat Stardust.

Main Event Results

(1) Zack Ryder beat Tyler Breeze. A seriously really good match.

Paige & Natalya cut a promo on Team B.A.D. for later in the show.

(2) Ryback squashed Bo Dallas (w/Social Outcasts).

(3) Naomi & Tamina beat Natalya & Paige when Naomi pinned Paige.

The Smackdown taping followed…

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Heel vs. Heel title match added to WWE Roadblock special

Mar 08, 2016 08:58 pm | James Caldwell

WWE has added a heel vs. heel title match to the “Roadblock” special Saturday night on WWE Network.

WWE tag champions New Day will defend the Tag Titles against League of Nations members Sheamus & King Barrett, WWE announced Tuesday.

Updated Roadblock Line-up

– WWE World Hvt. Title match: Triple H vs. Dean Ambrose

– Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt

– WWE Tag Title match: New Day vs. League of Nations (Sheamus & King Barrett).

– NXT Tag Title match: The Revival vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass.

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VIP AUDIO 3/8 – Mitchell Audio Short: Raw analysis including Roadblock hype, Dean-Hunter, Shane-Vince, Y2AJ breakup, Bray teaser, more (14 min)

Mar 08, 2016 08:32 pm | admin

APP USERS: If you are a VIP member accessing this on our app, scroll to the VIP AUDIO LINK below or we also recommend you access audio via a third-party podcast app for iPhone or Android (here's our list of recommended apps) or via our ad-free VIP Mobile Site's VIP Audio Show Listing from which you can directly stream or download the shows.

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO  (app users hard-press the link to activate or visit www.PWTorch.com/govip)

SUMMARY: PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell, joined by PWTorch editor Wade Keller, presents a special Bruce Mitchell Audio Short with his rapid-fire thoughts on last night’s Monday Night Raw including including Roadblock hype, Dean-Hunter, Shane-Vince, Y2AJ breakup, Bray teaser, and more.

DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK

The post VIP AUDIO 3/8 – Mitchell Audio Short: Raw analysis including Roadblock hype, Dean-Hunter, Shane-Vince, Y2AJ breakup, Bray teaser, more (14 min) appeared first on .

VIP AUDIO 3/8 – VIP Aftershow w/Keller & Powell: Hogan-Gawker trial thoughts, UFC women's division, Shane's punches, Triple H's sincerity as a heel, more (45 min)

Mar 08, 2016 08:16 pm | admin

APP USERS: If you are a VIP member accessing this on our app, scroll to the VIP AUDIO LINK below or we also recommend you access audio via a third-party podcast app for iPhone or Android (here's our list of recommended apps) or via our ad-free VIP Mobile Site's VIP Audio Show Listing from which you can directly stream or download the shows.

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO  (app users hard-press the link to activate or visit www.PWTorch.com/govip)

SHOW SUMMARY: In this edition of the PWTorch Livecast VIP Aftershow, PWTorch editor Wade Keller and Jason Powell from ProWrestling.net discuss a range of topics suggested by emails from listeners including the UFC women’s division, more on the hype for a possible backlash from Roadblock, the Hulk Hogan-Gawker trial, and more.

DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK

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Inside Vince McMahon – insight from big interview on Shane's return, not acting his age, mistakes, WWE Corporate, how he views today's WWE roster, trying to pull off surprises, wrestling media, McMahons entertaining themselves in the ring & more

Mar 08, 2016 08:16 pm | James Caldwell

WWE CEO Vince McMahon pulled back the curtain on his personality and how he operates as a business leader in a rare interview with Brian Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel tied in with the WrestleMania announcement for April 2017.

– McMahon said he does not feel like he’s 70-years-old, said he feels like he’s 30 years younger, admitted to acting like a teenager at times, and said said at the end of the day that since he is 70, then he’s not going to change who he is.

Asked if he feels like he’s 70, McMahon replied, “No. I don’t know if I feel like I’m 40. Actually, some would say I’m still a teenager as far as certain aspects of my brain. It’s like I refuse to grow up. I don’t want to grow up. Now I’m old enough to say I’m not going to grow up. So what are you going to do about that?”

Later, McMahon commented on not planning to die in the context of not being worried about the past, which would cripple him.

“I never look back except to learn from my mistakes. Obviously, I’ve made a number of those but cover them up pretty quick or everybody else covers them up for me. (laughs) I’m not good at all at looking back. I’m not good at that at all. I just don’t do that,” McMahon said.

“It’s what’s tomorrow, what’s next year. How am I going to leave this to the next generation, although I don’t plan to die. It may take a while for that. I don’t know. I could have a heart attack right here. (laughs)”

– McMahon attempted to place WWE at the same level as a major corporation like Disney in terms of corporate and executive structure. It’s counter to our “Inside WWE” PWTorch Newsletter Cover Story from July 2015 where we documented the outflow of high-ranking executives over the past few years after they experienced headaches with the internal structure that McMahon extolled in this interview. McMahon’s only admission was noting that his “corporate acumen” is not his “greatest skill.”

“I want to impress upon you one thing: from a standard standpoint, you hear Vince a lot. Vince, Vince, Vince. Vince’s vision. Vince’s this. Vince’s that. The organization that we built and the depth and talent from a corporate standpoint, I’ll put us up against Disney. I’ll put us up against anybody. And you have to have that,” McMahon said.

“You can’t grow from within if you don’t have certain skills. I wouldn’t say that my corporate acumen is my greatest skill, but when you bring people together that can take a vision and execute it and add to it and be creative … It doesn’t come out of one person’s head. This is not one person’s business anymore.”

– McMahon admitted to being too far out in front with the WWE Network launch two years ago, but he believes WWE has “opened the floodgates” now.

“If you’re too far ahead, then what happens is you make the mistakes and everyone else is looking at you going, ‘I won’t make that mistake.’ The network was a little ahead of its time and after that, the floodgates opened. I know a lot of people followed us. It’s been challenging but I love challenges. I love change, not for change’s sake, but I love to be able to have fingers on everything that’s going on,” McMahon said.

– McMahon offered unique insight on how he handles talent in the current era. McMahon said wrestlers from previous eras were cutthroat, while he sees today’s wrestlers as more team-oriented striving for the “brass ring” as a collective unit in an individual-driven business.

McMahon also applied his view of today’s roster to how he treats them – like fans. The context was McMahon bragging about trying to surprise the roster with things like Shane McMahon’s return, tying it in with not trusting the roster to keep a secret. McMahon, who is big on the military, called back to World War II about not revealing secrets. It’s also why he ranted about the wrestling media in this interview because of spoilers, then checked himself and praised the opinions of the wrestling media, not wanting to sound like he’s about censorship.

“It’s different for a talent to know what they’re going to be performing in is a surprise. It’s going to be great, I can’t wait. It’s so difficult for them to hold that just inside. They have to share that with their family and maybe their best friend or it’s one of those things where loose lips sink ships, like back in World War II. Not that I was around then. Actually, I was. Nonetheless, It’s difficult to hold something like that but if you can, the audience loves it,” McMahon said.

“It’s one of the reasons why I’ll always be anti-some members of the media, so-called dirt sheets or whatever it is. I’ve always disliked them. Not because of their voice and certainly not because of their opinion. No one respects the First Amendment more than me. Their opinions, negative or positive, they’re entitled to. I’ve always appreciated that because, quite frankly, some of the things I’ve learned from. I learn from everybody. It’s that they want to be a spoiler. No! No! Don’t spoil this. Don’t spoil it for the public. But I know that’s a part of their job too. It’s one of those things we try, with any form of the media now, we try no, no, no. Let me surprise you.”

McMahon went further into his view of surprising the roster as it relates to Shane’s return: “And all of the guys backstage, the vast majority of them, they didn’t see Shane when he walked through. They were all shocked and surprised. That’s what I try to do: totally surprise our talent. They like to be surprised just like the audience. They like to be entertained so I like to entertain our talent as well. And the talent likes to be entertained or entertain themselves as we all do. It’s one great big entertainment wheel on all fronts.”

Overall, the big picture is WWE might not be “one person’s business anymore,” but McMahon let out how it’s one family’s theater to play out in front of the masses.

“It’s great that Shane is back. Whether or not there’s a corporate place, we’ll wait and see. From a performer standpoint, I so enjoy performing with him. And when the three of us are out there, Stephanie and Shane and me, and throw in Paul (Triple H) because that has happened in the past, oh my God! We could stay out there and entertain each other, much less the audience, for an hour. It would be easy. It’s just so much fun because we can ad-lib and entertain ourselves. I think if you are entertaining yourselves and you’re having fun, that projects and the audience is having fun with you,” McMahon said.

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Is this Triple H's last WrestleMania as an active wrestler?

Mar 08, 2016 08:15 pm | James Caldwell

In a rare interview, WWE CEO Vince McMahon floated the possibility of WrestleMania 32 being his son-in-law Triple H’s final Mania as an active wrestler.

“I’m so proud of him, not just the years he’s spent in the ring and I don’t know how many more years that’s going to last. This may be his last WrestleMania. I don’t know. He’s a little long in the tooth as I say to his face and we all laugh about that now because I’m 70 years old,” McMahon told the Orlando Sentinel in an interview promoting WM33 in Orlando.

Triple H is scheduled to defend the WWE World Title against Roman Reigns at WM32. The goal is to make Reigns the next big star for the company, which is why WWE put the title back on Hunter to try to “pass the torch” to Reigns, especially if this is Hunter’s last Mania match.

McMahon also spoke glowingly about Hunter’s work with NXT and the Performance Center trying to re-create a feeder system after WWE went through available top talent.

“Paul (Levesque) is very aggressive. Not outwardly so. When you meet with him and talk with him, it’s like, Wwhat a nice guy.’ But inside, he has that competitive spirit and he’s always reaching for that brass ring. He’s done so well,” McMahon said. “What Paul has done, he’s done an extraordinary job and because of the welcome here in Florida, because of the Performance Center, its world-class qualities, we are able to attract so many more athletes now.”

The interview also closed with Vince talking up Hunter and his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, as carrying on the company’s legacy.

“This is not one person’s business anymore. It started out that way, and there’s a legacy kind of thing where it’s Vince, Vince, Vince. That’s not what’s happening,” McMahon said.

“We talk about Paul and Steph and you can see the evolution of our talent and the whole evolution of our business. One guy started it, yeah, but it’s mammoth now in terms of corporate atmosphere. It’s not one man’s vision. It’s not a guy. If you can take away anything there, it can’t be one guy.”

The post Is this Triple H’s last WrestleMania as an active wrestler? appeared first on .

John Cena announces he will not wrestle at WM32, UPDATE – McMahon addresses Cena's status

Mar 08, 2016 08:15 pm | James Caldwell

WWE top star John Cena said Tuesday that he will not be wrestling at WrestleMania 32.

Cena made the announcement during the WrestleMania 33 press conference Tuesday morning in Orlando, Florida.

Cena said he has been working hard to get back in the ring for WM32, but he will be unable to compete. Cena is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury.

Update: Following Cena’s announcement, WWE CEO Vince McMahon commented to Brian Fritz for the Orlando Sentinel about Cena missing WrestleMania.

“John Cena has been on the sidelines for a while. It’s so difficult for him. Obviously, he’s one of our premier performers. Watching on the sidelines, it’s brutal. When your passion is to be in the ring and performing, it’s killing him that he’s not going to be in one of the main events this year. It’s really killing him. I felt so badly for him,” McMahon said.

“John is Babe Ruth, he’s everything to us. And a real warrior. I don’t know how long he’s going to pursue this. I don’t know if it’s going to be 70 like me, but he’ll try. It’s just in him and he loves it so much, even when he was a little kid.”

McMahon also talked about Cena’s absence making WrestleMania plans more challenging. “Every year you have to outdo yourself. This year was difficult because John Cena was not a part of it,” McMahon said. “We have to reach way down and try and come up with things you haven’t done before and also hold back surprises that the audience does not know. They expect that from us.”

***

This will mark the first WrestleMania without Cena in a match since WM19 in 2003, ending his streak at 12 straight Manias.

.@JohnCena confirms at #WWE #WrestleMania presser that while he's working hard, he won't compete at #WM32 pic.twitter.com/vYbZ9wTrwI

— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) March 8, 2016

Cena at WrestleMania Through the Years

– WM20 (2004) – Won U.S. Title from Big Show at MSG in NYC

– WM21 (2005) – Won WWE Title from JBL at Staples Center in Los Angeles

– WM22 (2006) – Beat Triple H to retain WWE Title at Allstate Arena in Chicago

– WM23 (2007) – Beat Shawn Michaels to retain WWE Title at Ford Field in Detroit

– WM24 (2008) – Lost to Randy Orton and Triple H in WWE Title match at Citrus Bowl in Orlando

– WM25 (2009) – Beat Edge and Big Show to win WWE Hvt. Title at Reliant Stadium in Houston

– WM26 (2010) – Won WWE Title from Batista at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona

– WM27 (2011) – Lost to The Miz for the WWE Title at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta

– WM28 (2012) – Lost to The Rock in the "Once in a Lifetime" match at Sun Life Stadium in Miami

– WM29 (2013) – Beat The Rock for the WWE Title in the re-match at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey

– WM30 (2014) – Beat Bray Wyatt at the Superdome in New Orleans

– WM31 (2015) – Won U.S. Title from Rusev at Levi's Stadium in California

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PWTorch Report – Kota Ibushi to EVOLVE during Mania Weekend; Update – WWNLive confirms Ibushi's addition

Mar 08, 2016 08:10 pm | James Caldwell

PWTorch has learned that Japanese wrestling star Kota Ibushi is returning to EVOLVE during WrestleMania Weekend April 1-2.

WWNLive issued a No Comment when contacted about Ibushi wrestling for the promotion again.

Update: WWNLive head booker Gabe Sapolsky followed with official confirmation that Ibushi will wrestle on April 1 and 2 as part of the EVOLVE shows and WWNLive Supershow.

Kota Ibushi comes to WWNLive Experience in Dallas 4/1 & 2. He will be at EVOLVE cards & wrestle at WWN Supershow. https://t.co/8yDYPx7uCX

— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) March 9, 2016

Ibushi, who main-evented the very first EVOLVE show in January 2010, announced last month that he is going freelance after ending his dual contract with the New Japan and DDT promotions.

The timing of this is interesting because New Japan had big plans for Ibushi once he recovered from injury. Ibushi walked away from his dual contract, though, and is now traveling to the U.S. during WrestleMania Weekend. Ibushi was already on WWE’s radar and now he’s set to wrestle in Dallas during Mania weekend, which will heighten WWE’s awareness of Ibushi.

EVOLVE 58 – April 1 in Dallas, Tex.

• Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Will Ospreay
• Chris Hero & Tommy End vs. Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams
• Ricochet and more to be announced

EVOLVE 59 – April 2 in Dallas, Tex.

• USA vs. Europe Series: Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay
• Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Matt Riddle
• potential DGUSA Tag Title match: Johnny Gargano & Drew Galloway vs. Drew Gulak Tracy Williams

WWN Supershow “Mercury Rising 2016” – April 2 in Dallas, Tex.

• EVOLVE champion Timothy Thatcher vs. Sami Callihan
• Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Chris Hero
• Six-man Tag Tradition continues – Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll will be part of the match.
• Terry Funk recognized

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VIP AUDIO 3/8 – Tuesday AD-FREE Livecast w/Keller & Powell: Evaluating final hype for Roadblock, will it shake up WM32, Ambrose-Hunter, Shane-Vince, live callers (66 min)

Mar 08, 2016 07:52 pm | admin

APP USERS: If you are a VIP member accessing this on our app, scroll to the VIP AUDIO LINK below or we also recommend you access audio via a third-party podcast app for iPhone or Android (here's our list of recommended apps) or via our ad-free VIP Mobile Site's VIP Audio Show Listing from which you can directly stream or download the shows.

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO  (app users hard-press the link to activate or visit www.PWTorch.com/govip)

SHOW SUMMARY: In this edition of the PWTorch Livecast, PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by Jason Powell from ProWrestling.net for their weekly live discussion with caller, email, and Twitter contributions looking at last night’s Raw, the hype for Roadblock, and how this all affects WrestleMania 22, plus some notes on WrestleMania 33’s host city announcement.

DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK

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Raw Ratings Overview – First 10 Weeks down big from 2015

Mar 08, 2016 04:11 pm | James Caldwell

Through the first ten weeks of 2016, WWE Raw has averaged a 2.57 rating, which falls in the range of the mid-1990s as the Monday Night Wars was ramping up.

This year’s initial 10-week average is down 11.6 percent from a 2.91 average rating to begin 2015.

The difference is even more pronounced going back a few years on the Road to WrestleMania in the Three-Hour Raw Era…

Raw’s 10-Week Average at Year-Start

• 2016: 2.57 avg. rating / 3.623 million avg. live viewers (Year 4 down 1.0 million viewers from 2013)
• 2015: 2.91 avg. rating / 3.994 million avg. live viewers (Year 3)
• 2014: 3.21 avg. rating / 4.502 million avg. live viewers (Year 2)
• 2013: 3.35 avg. rating / 4.657 million avg. live viewers (first full year of three-hour Raws)

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3/7 Raw TV Ratings – Raw dips, plus Third Hour issues continue

Mar 08, 2016 04:09 pm | James Caldwell

Monday’s Raw TV ratings were down slightly from last week, while third hour viewership continued to suffer.

WWE Raw TV Ratings Tracking 2016

March 7: Raw scored a 2.59 rating, down slightly from a 2.63 rating last week.

Raw was right at the yearly average of a 2.57 rating through ten weeks.

– Raw’s three hours averaged 3.551 million viewers, down five percent (about 175,000 viewers) from last week’s audience.

The following is the Hourly Break Down, with the standard third hour slide…

• 3.760 million first hour viewers
• 3.614 million second hour viewers
• 3.279 million third hour viewers (9% decline from 2H)

– DEMOGRAPHICS: Compared to last week, Raw was even in males 18-34, down slightly in males 18-49, and down sharply in adults 18-49.

Looking specifically at the third hour, the trend continued of general a18-49 viewers tuning out in droves after the second hour, while male viewership was stable. Raw continues to lose female and teen viewers in the third hour, diluting the overall number.

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Tuesday 3/8 Torch Today – End of an Era in WWE?, Shane-Taker spectacle, Ross blogs on Raw, Variety – "WWE Champions" App to launch, WWE surveys fans on social outreach, WaleMania 2017, New Japan & NOAH Results, Video – Kurt Angle's TNA Farewell tonight

Mar 08, 2016 02:49 pm | James Caldwell

TORCH TODAY – Tuesday, March 8, 2016

– John Cena announcing Tuesday that he will not compete at WrestleMania is not only the end of his 12-year streak, but in some ways feels like the end of an era. The top spot is there for Cena when he returns from injury, but it might not be the same. So, does he shift into a legacy role, similar to Triple H in the mid-2000s when he really did not need the WWE Title anymore, but could rotate into a title feud when needed? Cena is now entering an interesting phase of his career.

– Meanwhile, WrestleMania 32 is unabashedly being built around the spectacle of Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker. Now, maybe things change when Roman Reigns returns after Roadblock, but WWE is all-in with Shane vs. Taker receiving the most attention and focus on the Road to WrestleMania. It’s a reminder of the McMahons making themselves the centerpiece of the show, even WrestleMania, when options are limited and they’ve booked themselves into a corner.

– Jim Ross wrote about Monday’s Raw, the WrestleMania build, and all of his irons in the fire in a new blog at jrsbarbq.com.

– At PWPodcasts.com: On-demand access to Monday’s Raw post-game show, plus recent interviews with Mick Foley and Jim Ross.

– At MMATorch.com: Fall-out from UFC 196 over the weekend as UFC starts building toward UFC 200.

– Variety reports that WWE is planning a new mobile game called “WWE Champions.” The game is part of a deal with a company called Scopely that will be developing a WWE-themed puzzle game along the likes of Candy Crush. About 100 main roster WWE stars and legends will be playable characters. The game is scheduled for release later this year.

– WWE sent out a new survey to their “Fan Council” about community outreach programs. WWE said they wanted surveyors to help WWE “refine its messaging on a community program and how best to help WWE achieve its goal of leveraging the power of its brands and platforms to address important social issues.” (Thanks to PWTorch VIP member David)

– Event organizers behind “WaleMania” wasted no time announcing “WaleMania III” for Thursday, March 30, 2017 in Orlando wrapped around WrestleMania 33 in Florida. Rapper Wale will be joined by MLW Radio for a weekend series of events.

– In Japan, New Japan’s “New Japan Cup” tour continued Tuesday featuring more of Kazuchika Okada trying to recruit Hirooki Goto to CHAOS. Also, NOAH’s Spring Navigation tour continued Tuesday featuring NXT recruits TMDK’s final set of matches.

– Finally, Kurt Angle officially wraps up his TNA run tonight on Impact when he faces Bobby Lashley in a match taped on the January U.K. tour. TNA released a “career retrospective” ahead of Angle’s farewell match.

The post Tuesday 3/8 Torch Today – End of an Era in WWE?, Shane-Taker spectacle, Ross blogs on Raw, Variety – “WWE Champions” App to launch, WWE surveys fans on social outreach, WaleMania 2017, New Japan & NOAH Results, Video – Kurt Angle’s TNA Farewell tonight appeared first on .

Jimmy Snuka legal update – next hearing pushed back two months

Mar 08, 2016 02:35 pm | James Caldwell

MARCH 8 UPDATE

There is another delay in Jimmy Snuka’s murder trial related to the death of Snuka’s 1983 girlfriend, Nancy Argentino, reports the Allentown Morning Call.

A competency hearing was scheduled for next week, reports Lehigh Valley Live, but the hearing has been pushed back to May 13.

Judge Kelly L. Banach decided that experts need more time to determine Snuka’s mental state and whether he can stand trial. The district attorney’s office disclosed that Judge Banach wants to allow for “sufficient time” to complete the evaluation.

Snuka, 72, was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after a Pennsylvania grand jury re-evaluated the cold case.

A gag order was issued to prevent family members from discussing the case while the case goes through the judicial process.

JANUARY 15 UPDATE

Jimmy Snuka’s murder case will not be going to trial on March 22. The trial was delayed until a later time until the court can determine whether Snuka is fit for trial.

According to the Associated Press, Snuka’s defense attorney, Robert Kirwan II, filed a motion in Lehigh County (Pa). Court claiming that Snuka is mentally incompetent and “has no idea what charges he faces.”

Following a grand jury’s review of the 1983 death of Snuka’s girlfriend, Nancy Argentino, Snuka was charged with third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

The district attorney’s office is seeking an independent evaluation of Snuka’s condition to see if he is able to stand trial. The DA’s office says Snuka’s health was considered during the grand jury review in 2015. However, Snuka’s attorney says Snuka’s health has recently deteriorated.

DECEMBER 9 UPDATE

A trial date of March 22 has been set in the murder case of Jimmy Snuka’s 1983 girlfriend, Nancy Argentino.

The date was set at the latest court hearing Tuesday in Lehigh County, Pa. Snuka attended, but did not speak during the hearing, according to a Morning Call report.

The trial is expected to last one week following jury selection.

Snuka is facing charges of third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after a Pennsylvania grand jury reviewed the evidence available from the cold case.

NOVEMBER 30 UPDATE

There appears to be some gamesmanship in the lead-up to Jimmy Snuka’s next court hearing on Tuesday, December 8 in the case of the death of his 1983 girlfriend, Nancy Argentino.

According to a new report, Snuka’s defense team filed a motion on November 16 seeking discovery in Nancy’s death. On Dec. 8, Snuka’s defense will reportedly “ask a judge why state prosecutors have not produced evidence showing the 72-year old murdered his ex-girlfriend 32 years ago.”

The prosecution is pointing to the Pennsylvania grand jury’s review of the available evidence in the cold case, which produced a fresh murder charge. (Report at DailyItem.com)

NOVEMBER 2 REPORT

Former WWF star Jimmy Snuka entered a Not Guilty plea in the murder of his 1983 girlfriend, Nancy Argentino, at a court hearing Monday in Pennsylvania.

Snuka is facing third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges after a grand jury reviewed evidence in the cold case and recommended Snuka be charged in Argentino’s death.

At Monday’s hearing, Snuka had trouble answering questions. Snuka’s defense attorney, Robert Kirwan, told the court that Snuka is suffering from “dementia and post-concussion disorder,” to go along with recovering from stomach cancer treatment.

In summary, Kirwan said Snuka might not be competent to stand trial.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 8. In the interim, a gag order has been ordered for all involved parties – Snuka, his defense team, the prosecution, and Nancy’s family – to prevent “the case from being tried in the press,” according to Judge Kelly Banach.

There are several reasons why the gag order was called for, including comments made by Snuka’s defense team to the media following the previous hearing, Nancy’s family continuing to speak out about 1983 events, and concern over the case turning into a bigger story on the national level, potentially affecting a jury pool.

This is especially the case when Snuka’s attorney, Kirwan, said he might seek a change of venue for Snuka’s trial.

Monday’s hearing made local headlines in Pennsylvania and was covered nationally by the AP.

For more perspective, read wrestling author Irv Muchnick’s coverage of Monday’s events at ConcussionInc.net.

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Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker Day 6 – Hogan attempts to differentiate wrestling vs. real-life personas, WM3 vs. Andre referenced, more

Mar 08, 2016 02:33 pm | James Caldwell

Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker Trial – March 2016

Day 6 – Tuesday, March 8

Hulk Hogan returned to the stand for Day 2 of questioning about whether he made his life fair game by openly talking about personal things in various interviews and radio show appearances, such as Howard Stern, over the past decade.

Hogan stuck to a gameplan of trying to separate the “Hulk Hogan” character from the real person, Terry Bollea. Hogan/Bollea tried to differentiate his interview boasts and carny-speak as him being in “Hulk Hogan mode.”

This led to a discussion of WrestleMania III after Hogan was asked if there was ever a match that did not go according to plan. Hogan told the story of not knowing if Andre the Giant would put him over in the Silverdome because Andre was in a bad mood. The idea was trying to differentiate the Hulk Hogan wrestling character from his real-life persona.

Another example was a recording of Hogan saying on Bubba the Love Sponge’s radio show that he had a 10-inch penis. Hogan said his wrestling character is “larger than life,” so he was talking about his character, not himself.

"It wasn't about Hulk Hogan making a sex tape. That's not what happened. It's never been about that,” Hogan was quoted by Fox News.

The idea continues to be Hogan’s team trying to frame Terry Bollea, the man who is suing Gawker, as being somewhat insecure, vulnerable, and susceptible to people who claim to be like family (Bubba and Bubba’s ex-wife, Heather), unlike the confident, boastful, over-the-top Hulk Hogan persona.

“In that mode, it’s entertainment … you can be a character,” Hogan said, as quoted by ABC News. “You have the liberty to go way out there.”

Gawker is trying to counter by bringing up Hogan’s interviews about his personal life, such as putting his daughter, Brooke Hogan, in the limelight through Howard Stern’s show and putting his family in the spotlight on the “Hogan Knows Best” TV series.

Day 5 – Monday, March 7

– From a wrestling perspective, Hulk Hogan’s run in TNA was brought up during the first day of questioning as Hogan went through a timeline of events from his personal and professional life. Asked about working for TNA at the time when the tape was released, Hogan described TNA as a “small, little wrestling company.”

Explaining to the jury what TNA is, Hogan said, “It’s Total Non-Stop Action. It’s a smaller wrestling company I was working for and I had several surgeries during that time. It was just a job I could have being General Manager since I could not wrestle anymore.”

– With a jury in-place, Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker kicked off Monday with opening statements from both sides.

One of Hogan’s attorneys, Shane Vogt, painted Gawker as an exploitative website looking for “power and profit,” not a news outlet covering newsworthy events by publishing a video excerpt of Hulk Hogan engaging in sexual acts with Heather Clem, the ex-wife of Bubba the Love Sponge, without Hogan’s consent or knowledge.

Gawker’s opening statement focused on Hogan openly talking about his sex life, including on Howard Stern’s radio show and in his autobiography, trying to extend that to the video material being fair game.

Hogan testified about what led to the encounter with Heather at a time when his first marriage to Linda Bollea was on the rocks in the mid-2000s. Hogan went over the tawdry details and conversation with Bubba about whether his encounter with Heather was being filmed.

"My gut was telling me that this was off, this was wrong. And from the feeling I had, I said, 'Bubba you're not filming this are you?' He just lashed into me, 'What the hell is wrong with you? I'm your best friend. I would never do that to you.' It kind of just froze me in my track. Everything was just so surreal,” Hogan said, as transcribed by RadarOnline.com.

Hogan added that he felt “safe” with Bubba and Heather at the time since his actual family was falling apart at the time. He painted the scenario as trusting the couple, not thinking he would be violated by video surfacing years later.

Hogan is scheduled to return to the stand on Tuesday for more questioning. (Detailed Recap via SportingNews.com)

Day 4 – Friday, March 4

The jury is set. There will be six jurors (two men and four women) and three alternates for the case of Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker.

The trial will officially begin on Monday with opening statements, reports WTSP in Florida.

Both Hogan and Gawker’s camps released statements after completing the jury selection process.

“We are exceptionally happy with the quality of people that showed up for the jury selection process. Not only were they engaged, they were honest, and competent. We are lucky to have had so many dedicated individuals from which to choose,” Hogan’s lawyer David Houston told Fox News. “We believe we have a fantastic jury. They all seem to recognize the importance of the rights of privacy and boundaries as it concerns issues surrounding the First Amendment.”

Gawker’s statement reads: "We are defending the First Amendment against Hulk Hogan's effort to create a world where celebrities can promote themselves around any topic, in this case sex, and then veto how the media covers their lives. This tape shows Hulk Hogan having sex with his best friend's wife, and in fact the tape was made by his best friend Bubba who also appears in the video. Hulk Hogan bragged about his sex life for years, denied this particular sexual encounter and now thinks his own choices are worth $100 million somehow.”

Day 3 – Thursday, March 3

Jury selection continued.

Day 2 – Wednesday, March 2

Jury selection continued on Wednesday. The potential jury field was whittled down based on people’s exposure to the case, knowledge of Hogan’s celebrity status, and whether they have seen video of Hogan engaged in sexual acts with Heather Clem, the ex-wife of radio host Bubba the Love Sponge.

Potential jurors who were not aware of the details, or even Hogan’s celebrity status, were told not to look up details after being given a basic over-run. Some jurors reacted to the basic details of the case as viewing Hogan in a negative light, shifting away from their positive view of Hogan’s “Hulkamania” character.

The task remains trying to find jurors with zero or limited knowledge of the case and who can view the details objectively trying to ignore Hogan’s larger-than-life persona. (Latest Report via Tampa Bay Times)

– The Tampa Times also filed a report on how difficult it will be to find a jury that will look at Hogan, as well as Gawker, objectively in this case. (Report at TampaBay.com)

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 1

The $100 million defamation lawsuit filed by Hulk Hogan against Gawker finally reached formal court proceedings in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Jury selection began with a pool of 250 potential jurors whittled down to 114 and then 48 by lunch time, reports the Tampa Bay Times, which also noted the trial is expected to last three weeks.

Hogan was present in the court room, drawing awed reactions from jurors who either recognized him from wrestling or from the ongoing legal battle with Gawker.

The key is trying to find enough remaining jurors who satisfy a 14-page questionnaire measuring their objectiveness.

Before anyone set foot in the courtroom, Hogan posted an early morning tweet expressing his excitement to get the trial underway.

Time for the real main event!"I AM" going to slam another Giant! Hogan vrs Gawker! Watcha Gonna Do Gawker? Only Justice Brother HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) March 1, 2016

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VIP AUDIO 3/8 – WKH – The News: Hogan testifies on first day of Gawker sex tape trial, WM33 to Orlando, physical Hall of Fame, Cena's WM32 status, Koff on ROH (32 min)

Mar 08, 2016 01:44 pm | admin

APP USERS: If you are a VIP member accessing this on our app, scroll to the VIP AUDIO LINK below or we also recommend you access audio via a third-party podcast app for iPhone or Android (here's our list of recommended apps) or via our ad-free VIP Mobile Site's VIP Audio Show Listing from which you can directly stream or download the shows.

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SHOW SUMMARY: In this edition of the Wade Keller Hotline, PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a look at the latest news including these topics: Hulk Hogan testifies on first day of Gawker sex tape trial, WM33-Orlando press conference, physical Hall of Fame announced, John Cena’s WM32 status, Joe Koff on ROH, and more.

DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK

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WWE announces Chicago return date for post-WM32 PPV

Mar 08, 2016 01:42 pm | James Caldwell

WWE is returning to Chicago for the first PPV after WrestleMania.

“Payback” will take place Sunday, May 1, as WWE sorts out the post-Mania PPV schedule.

Tickets for Payback at Allstate Arena go on-sale this Saturday.

WWE PPV/Specials Schedule

– Saturday, March 12: WWE Roadblock in Toronto

– April 3: WrestleMania 32 in Arlington/Dallas, Texas

– May 1: Payback in Chicago

– May 22: Extreme Rules in Newark, N.J.

– June: Money in the Bank.

– July PPV.

– August 21: Summerslam in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Jim Ross to call "UR Fight" PPV featuring Angle vs. Mysterio

Mar 08, 2016 01:40 pm | James Caldwell

Jim Ross has another announcing gig.

Ross will be calling the “UR Fight” PPV spectacle on Sunday, March 20 featuring Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio.

The event takes place at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. The card includes:

• Pro Wrestling: Angle vs. Mysterio
• MMA: Dan Severn vs. Tank Abbott
• Grappling: Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping
• Boxing: Roy Jones, Jr. vs. Vyron Phillips

Ross is not shying away from describing the PPV as a spectacle based on his preliminary tweets and comments promoting the event.

“THIS JUST IN….. I will be on the broadcast team on PPV Sunday, March 20 from Phoenix. It’s pro wrestling, boxing, MMA, and grappling all on one card and all on one PPV. Visit URShow.tv for all the incredulous information. This will be the most outrageous, unpredictable show that I’ve ever called in all likelihood,” Ross wrote in his latest blog at jrsbarbq.com.

Let's get it on! The wildest PPV of which I likely will ever be a part!!
Sunday March 20 in Phoenix!@urshowtv https://t.co/wmY5Uyod9M

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) March 8, 2016

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3/7 Raw Twitter Ratings – Monday's show falls to year-low

Mar 08, 2016 11:33 am | James Caldwell

Monday’s Raw scored the lowest Nielsen Twitter TV Rating of the year. It seems that the Road to WrestleMania lacked buzz for a second consecutive week following Shane McMahon’s big return two weeks ago.

WWE Raw Social Media Tracking 2016

March 7: Raw drew a unique Twitter audience of 1.250 million, down 11 percent from last week.

It was the smallest audience of the year, just a hair below the Raw against the college football title game on January 11.

• February 22: 2.802 million post-Fast Lane/Shane’s big return
• February 29: 1.407 million last week
• March 7: 1.250 million this week

– Total impressions were 10.180 million, almost identical to 10.207 million last week.

– The number of unique authors tweeting about Raw was 38,000, up slightly from 34,000 last week.

Total tweets were 186,000, up from 166,000 last week.

– Raw ranked #2 among series & specials on Monday night, trailing “The Bachelor” on ABC. Raw has yet to rank #1 this year.

If compared to one-off sports programming, Raw would have ranked #3 behind one NBA game and the Iona vs. Monmouth college basketball tournament finals game, which had just as much action, drama, showmanship, and suspense going down to the last play of the game.

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Photo Blog – WM33 Press Conference in Orlando – Cena & Reigns resurface, McMahons

Mar 08, 2016 11:25 am | James Caldwell

WWE WrestleMania 33 Press Conference
March 8, 2016 – Orlando, Fla.

WWE top star John Cena resurfaced from injury to address WrestleMania. Also, Roman Reigns resurfaced after being held off TV the past two weeks selling a beating from Triple H.

WWE is proud to announce that the Orlando Citrus Bowl will host WrestleMania 33, on Sunday, April 2, 2017. https://t.co/gYF6OC1Hri

— WWE Public Relations (@WWEPR) March 8, 2016

#WWE press conference at @CitrusBowl about to begin. pic.twitter.com/u4ZsrbhjX5

— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) March 8, 2016

#TheNewDay rocks at @CitrusBowl to open #WWE press conference. pic.twitter.com/buxiOwQf8t

— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) March 8, 2016

Florida Gov. @FLGovScott announces that #WWE #WrestleMania is coming to the @CitrusBowl in 2017. pic.twitter.com/5ANVRiCvSb

— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) March 8, 2016

The Chairman has taken the podium! @VinceMcMahon @CitrusBowl #WrestleMania 33 press conference pic.twitter.com/GXlJT0GrRL

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 8, 2016

Lots of fun announcing the return of @WWE's #WrestleMania to Orlando, FL in 2017 with our partners! @CitrusBowl pic.twitter.com/Ys3pkKVV7V

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) March 8, 2016

Some of the scenes from today's @WWE @WrestleMania 33 Press Conference at Orlando's @CitrusBowl. #WM33 pic.twitter.com/DZ5syDTigp

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 8, 2016

.@JohnCena confirms at #WWE #WrestleMania presser that while he's working hard, he won't compete at #WM32 pic.twitter.com/vYbZ9wTrwI

— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) March 8, 2016

.@WWERomanReigns and @JohnCena speak at @WWE's @WrestleMania 33 Press Conference at Orlando's @CitrusBowl. #WM33 pic.twitter.com/L82nYAhsUE

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 8, 2016

"A place like Orlando embodies what @WWE is all about" –@JohnCena #WrestleMania @CitrusBowl pic.twitter.com/HAm6f9tett

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 8, 2016

Despite joking about a possible conspiracy following @StephMcMahon, @WWERomanReigns agrees @WWE is all about family pic.twitter.com/kYFLIqIxIz

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 8, 2016

.@RicFlairNatrBoy & @MsCharlotteWWE take the podium & discuss what Orlando means to them #WrestleMania @CitrusBowl pic.twitter.com/lrRpahQ6rM

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 8, 2016

What a way to end a press conference! #WrestleMania @CitrusBowl @WWEBigE @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/48z0EbFwDd

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 8, 2016

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Official Announcement – WrestleMania 33 to Orlando in 2017

Mar 08, 2016 10:28 am | James Caldwell

Mar. 8 Update: WWE issued a press release officially announcing WrestleMania 33 on April 2, 2017 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

The usual wrap-around events will take place including WrestleMania Axxess, the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame, post-Mania Raw, and other events.

[ Press Release – Official Announcement ]

Mar. 7 Update: WWE is officially bringing WrestleMania back to Orlando, reports Brian Fritz for the Orlando Sentinel.

WM33 will take place April 2, 2017 at the Citrus Bowl. (Full Report)

A formal announcement is scheduled for Tuesday in Orlando attended by Florida dignitaries and WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

Renovations to the Citrus Bowl, existing relationships with Florida officials, WWE’s secondary location in Central Florida through the Performance Center, and Florida’s tourism appeal were big factors that led to Orlando getting next year’s WrestleMania bid.

Mar. 3 Update: Orlando news publications are starting to pick up on the likelihood of WrestleMania returning to Orlando in 2017.

The Orlando Business Journal reported on WWE potentially announcing next week that Orlando will host WM33.

Feb. 19 Update: The City of Orlando’s mayor is confident that WrestleMania in 2017 or 2018 will return to Orlando.

Mayor Buddy Dyer talked to the Miami Herald about his confidence level that WWE will announce Orlando for either WrestleMania 33 in 2017 or WM34 in 2018.

“We’re in a competition right now, and we understand it’s down to a handful of cities for 2017. We put in bids for both 2017 and 2018,” Dyer told reporter Jim Varsallone.

“I was part of our proposal for the events as well (traveling to WWE HQ in Connecticut). I don't think they've had many mayors who have come [to Stamford] to make the pitch for WrestleMania, so there's some mutual admiration going on.”

Dyer stressed renovations to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando as a key selling point for bringing back WrestleMania. Dyer also said he would like to see Orlando in a regular rotation of hosting the annual event.

It helps that Dyer has been to the Performance Center in Orlando to build a relationship with WWE staff down in Florida.

February 13 Report

The time is drawing near for WWE to announce the WrestleMania 33 location in March/April 2017.

The City of Orlando is considered a frontrunner, prompting a conversation with Allen Johnson, a key name from Orlando’s overseeing facility/sports industry.

Johnson was asked by Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald about Orlando potentially hosting WrestleMania again. “I think we're ready for it," Johnson said. "We're prepared to whatever year they decide to come back. We're ready for them, and we now have the infrastructure in place to accommodate it much better than before, and they know that. They've toured the stadium. They've been here and seen what we now are capable of versus what we were capable of. That gets us in the conversation to host one of those events.”

The Mania host stadium would be the Citrus Bowl, the same as in 2008 when Orlando hosted WM24. However, according to Johnson, the stadium is much different than eight years ago after $207 million in renovations.

“It allows us to be in the conversation, where before at the older venue we didn't have the infrastructure in place to repeat some of those big events that we were lucky enough to have,” Johnson said.

It helps that WWE had a successful Royal Rumble PPV in Orlando, which sold about 12,000 seats after production-area seating was taken out.  Plus, the presence of WWE’s Performance Center in the Orlando area.

"It's very comforting for them (WWE and UFC) to know that they're walking into a place that's already prepared to handle their events," Johnson said.

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Report – WWE to open physical Hall of Fame

Mar 08, 2016 10:21 am | James Caldwell

WWE will reportedly open a physical Hall of Fame/restaurant/attraction in Orlando coinciding with WrestleMania 33 next year.

According to Attractions Management, WWE is planning to take over the “NBA City” location at Universal Studios in Orlando to permanently house a Hall of Fame.

WWE currently takes a slice of a “Hall of Fame” on the road to WrestleMania each year, displaying select items at WrestleMania Axxess.

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ROH COO Joe Koff reveals TV goals, talks ROH vs. WWE, New Japan, Delirious's role, more

Mar 08, 2016 10:00 am | James Caldwell

Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff wants to see ROH back on national television, like Destination America last year.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Koff stopped short of mentioning (a potentially re-branded) Tennis Channel, which parent company Sinclair Broadcasting just bought.

"We need to have an app and more TV," Koff told SI’s Justin Barrasso. "We're seen pretty much everywhere [syndicated], but I would like to have an in-pattern time that is seen everywhere at the same time across the nation. We're not consistent in the way we were on Destination America. We're consistent on Comet, if you can find it, which is getting more visible – we're on every Wednesday at the same time.”

Koff added, “My goal is to get to a more nationally distributed show again like we had on Destination America. That was a good show and a good time, and I liked having that consistency."

Koff framed TV expansion plans as part of ROH’s goal to expand its business and escape the label of being an independent promotion.

"We were always known as the best indie out there," said Koff. "We've always had that cache as the place where the wrestlers worked to the fullest and gave every ounce of ability and blood to the fans. But we're not an indie – we're a real business with real sentiments and intellect and belief.”

Koff presented ROH as a “real business” under the Sinclair umbrella, while trying to draw a comparison to WWE. Koff said WWE is in the “wrestling business,” which WWE would disagree with, while Koff said ROH is a “business that happens to be wrestling.”

"I have an amazing business team. My general manager, Greg Gilleland, is instrumental in our business growth,” Koff said. “We have very, very concrete strategies that we will deploy and employ. They won't be [publicly] spoken – they'll happen and it will be felt.”

As for the wrestling that makes up the business, Koff said he wants to continue making ROH the “promotion of choice” for wrestlers and fans who want to be part of an “authentic” product. Although the product has arguably slipped in recent PPV outings, Koff gave a vote of confidence for head booker Delirious.

"Hunter is a brilliant mind, and we share ideas. I will never, ever use the power of my position to get what I want. Hunter is invested and embedded in this business,” Koff said before crediting Delirious for tapping into his relationship with New Japan.

"New Japan represents a lot of the same qualities in Japan as Ring of Honor does in America. We are very similar businesses, from the presentation to the expectation of the work to the expectation of the fan, and the accessibility of the talent to the fan,” Koff said.

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Big update on Davey Richards's recovery from knee surgery

Mar 08, 2016 09:30 am | James Caldwell

Current TNA tag champion Davey Richards says he expects to return sooner than 6-9 months from a major knee injury suffered at the end of TNA’s U.K. tour in January.

In a new interview, Richards established a timeline of blowing out his left ACL on January 31, having surgery on February 17, and now rehabbing with his medical team.

“I'm recovering now and nobody can believe that I am recovering as fast as I am,” Richards told the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast. “I laugh when people say I may be out 6-9 months and I kind of say yeah we will see because if you understand the science of it you understand that the body is giving it the fuel to repair itself. I also had a really great orthopedic surgeon and have great physical therapist.”

Meanwhile, TNA Impact TV episodes continue to air from the U.K. tour with Richards and Eddie Edwards involved in a program with Kurt Angle. Richards said he wishes he got the chance to wrestle Angle before Angle wrapped up his TNA run.

“He’s done all he needs to do and he needs to go and be with his family and heal up. He’s the one guy  I really wanted to wrestle and I  did not get that chance and that really sucks. As it is going to play out he gave me a very special gift which people will see soon. I am sad to see him go but it is for the best,” Richards commented.

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