HARDYS SIGN W/ROH & FACE IMPACT LEGAL BATTLE
Regarding the Hardy's, they were leaning towards re-signing with Impact Wrestling, but they were not pleased by how Impact officials went about with attempts to renew the Tag Teams contracts, with the Brothers feeling dissed about how long it took for officials to come up with contracts for them aswell as how many changes they would have to make, with one being less creative control. Jeff, when informed of these changes, backed out of talks, but Matt resumed talks with the company until obviously both sides failed to agree on a new deal. Officials did receive an offer from Matt and Jeff to work a date and drop the TNA World Tag Team Championship titles that they were holding at the time of release, but their offer was rejected by Anthem. Matt wrote on his departure; "My stint with Impact Wrestling was Delightful, exception talent & locker room. A great, respectful team that worked hard in tough times. I wish Impact all the best going forward, especially the INDUSTRIOUS talent. I hope they're all treated with respect & fairness."
Jeff Jarrett wrote on Twitter to the Hardy's and Drew Galloway, who also departed form the company; "I personally wish nothing but continued success for @JEFFHARDYBRAND @MATTHARDYBRAND @GallowaySpeaks . All three of them are fantastic..."
Following the departure from Impact, The Brother's sign deals with Ring of Honor [ROH] Wrestling. The Hardy's appeared at ROH's big Manhattan Mayhem event in New York, and challenged the Young Bucks [Matt and Nick Jackson] for their ROH Tag Team Championships, and ultimately won and became new champions. After winning the titles, The Hardy's cut a promo saying that they had indeed signed with ROH. During the promo, Matt Hardy revealed a list of ROH dates of which they will be working up until WrestleMania, but Dave Meltzer has noted that despite not revealing any dates after WrestleMania, The Hardy's have signed a long-term deal with ROH. Two of the key selling points in the deals was the creative control and the ability to work other Indie company's. It's also worth mentioning that Bully Ray, who also made his ROH debut at the Manhattan Mayhem event, will be working with ROH in the future.
Then just as ROH's 15th Anniversary show loomed, Impact Wrestling sent out cease and desist letters to Pay Per View providers due to the "Broken Universe" Intellectual Property being used in ROH while the fight to who owns the IP has yet to be revealed. The decision to send the C&D was reportedly not a Jeff Jarrett or Impact decision, but by higher authority figures in Anthem. While other providers continued to show the ROH event, The Dish Network pulled the show. Impact officials are not intending to recreate the Broken gimmick without the Hardy's, but they don't want the Hardy's to stop using the gimmick either. The whole reason behind this is that Anthem wishes to work out an agreement for the Broken Universe IP, which will see Anthem get a cut from the future proceeds from the Gimmick. Ed Nordholm [President of Impact Wrestling], Tweeted that Jeremy Borash, Dave Lagana and Billy Corgan created the "broken" characters, and that it is a company property as to Matt's personal creation.
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS, FINALLY WORLD CHAMPION!
At Ring of Honor's 15th Anniversary Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wrestling Legend Christopher Daniels finally attained the prize in the sport of Pro Wrestling that he has been more than deserving of for more than a decade, The World Heavyweight Championship.Daniels won the Ring of Honor World Title from Bullet Club's own Adam Cole in the main event of the historic night in company history. We extend our congratulations to Mr Daniels on the monumental win that will forever and a day leave him as a World Champion in the sport that he has excelled in for over twenty three years.
RUDE & GLAMAZON HEADING FOR WWE HALL OF FAME
Two of wrestling's greatest heels in Women's and Mens wrestling respectively in Rick Rude and Beth Phoenix, are to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 2017 alongside Kurt Angle, Teddy Long, The Rock n' Roll Express and Diamond Dallas Page. WWE said on their inductions; on Rick Rude; "The WWE Hall of Fame just got a little more “Ravishing,” as Rick Rude has been revealed as the latest inductee into the Class of 2017. Rude will be inducted by one of his greatest rivals, 2009 inductee Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat." and on Beth Phoenix; "Beth Phoenix, one of the most dominant female competitors in sports-entertainment, will take her rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame when she is inducted as part of the Class of 2017 during WrestleMania 33 Week." Rick Rude shall be inducted posthumously.
"OUTLAW" RON BASS PASSES AWAY
Wrestling veteran Ronald Heard, who was known around the globe as "Outlaw" Ron Bass, sadly passed away on March 7 at the age of Sixty Eight years old in Tampa, Florida. Bass died due to complications from surgery after suffering a burst appendix. Bass was said to have waited a week after the incident before he sought after Medical attention due to reportedly not being aware that the appendix had burst. WWE posted the following in president to Bass' passing; "WWE is saddened to learn that Ronald Heard, known to sports-entertainment fans as "Outlaw" Ron Bass, has passed away at the age of 68. WWE extends its condolences to Heard's family, friends and fans." We extend our condolences to the family, fans and friends of Mr Heard. RIP
IN OTHER NEWS - BULLET POINTS
Crash Luchas, the promotion that has made the news recently ny The Hardy's, has once again made headlines with the announcement of new working relationships with Impact Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH "reborn", of whom are already working together.
WWE's announcement of a UK Championship event, which is the follow up to the United Kingdom Championship Tournament to crown the first ever champion, has roused a negative response from veteran wrestling promoter and booker Ricky Knight. Knight, who is the Father of WWE Superstar Paige, is under the belief that WWE is trying to run him out of business, and its got enough evidence to support it. Knight, who runs and owns the WAW Wrestling Promotion in England appeared on BBC Norfolk Radio to talk about WWE setting up their UK events on the exact same dates as Knights' shows; “To me the timing is absolutely crap, and I think there’s a conspiracy somewhere. The could’ve left it until Monday. They know we’re doing so well. They follow us religiously, it seems like they do. They would’ve known this is the biggest weekend in WAW history. To me they wanted to cut us open with the announcement this morning and putting their tickets sales on tonight. But tough guys, because this is going to be a sellout tonight anyway. Go and do your best.” Ricky's son Zak Zodiak, who also is a wrestler, also commented on the situation; “It’s the same anywhere you go. Once you see someone doing well you want a bit of that pie.” Authors Note: Its not the first time that WWE has tried to run a company out of business, and it won't be the last...
Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer Gail Kim, has revealed on Twitter that she is not under a contract with Impact, But she isn't interested in leaving the company as she said "don't count me out" in relation to a return. Kim said on Social Media; "Not officially signed but always with impact. My home! I'll hopefully be on the return soon. Don't count me out."
On Friday March 3, New Japan Wrestling Legend Tomoaki Homna suffered a severe injury during his match which saw Chaos (Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Jado) Defeat Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Michael Elgin. The injury to the "cervical vertebrae" came about when Homna landed wrong from a DDT. Homna's foot was caught in the ropes, and when he took the move he became unresponsive, and was stretchered out to hospital where he was diagnosed.
It's not just the backstage crew that is being shaken up in Impact Wrestling, But the roster and on air talent too. Since the returns of Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantell to head power positions, The way out door has been left open for many big name departures. Just some of the known names that have not been re-signed to new contracts includes Jeff and Matt Hardy, Reby Hardy, Drew Galloway, Jade, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis Bennett. These departures were not seen as big losses by management, as they put out offers to wrestlers/managers named, and the talents either took it or left it. The mentality in the company is for a complete fresh start, with the name TNA being dropped completely, and a roster shake up to. Former WWE and TNA talent Bruce Prichard has returned to Impact as an on-screen talent, and a advisory position behind the curtain. Many of the Impact rosters biggest names have been locked into new deals with the company, That list includes Moose, Ethan Carter, Eli Drake, Bobby Lashley, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. The new contracts by the company have been tweaked, so the talents are being paid per date as to per episode. Impact has also broke the huge news that in the spring, Impact Wrestling and all its shows [One Night Only PPV's, Impact PPV's and Xplosion] will be returning to UK television on Spike UK. "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan will be returning to Impact Wrestling full-time. This comes after Morgan teased a return to a Wrestling company after a hiatus from the sport a few years back. Alberto El Patron has signed a full time deal with Impact Wrestling, and will be pushed heavily by the company. Other stars who have returned include the former World Champion of Impact and the current GFW World Champion Magnus, Konnan, Homicide, Chris Adonis [fka Masters], ODB, Rebel, Brittany [Santana Garrett] and Suicide, While new stars include Laredo Kid, Garza Jr, Kevin Mathews, Angel Ortiz, Mike Draztik, Adam Thornstowe, Luster the Legend, Amanda Rodriguez, Casey Quinn [Brandi Lauren], Diamanté and MJ Jenkins. The next few months of Impact Wrestling content shall be ramjam packed full of new and old classics.
Finn Balor and Hideo Itami have both returned to the ring this past week, with Balor returning for his first WWE match in over Six Months at a WWE Live event in Buffalo, New York. Balor competed and was victorious in a six man tag team match that saw an all star line-up of Balor teaming up with Sami Zayn and Chris Jericho, to take on Triple H, Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens. While Itami returned for vengeance against the man who put him on the shelf in Riddick Moss at NXT Live event.
Bully Ray, The character that saw Bubba Ray Dudley become a two time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, was according to Ray "one day" away from being debuted on WWE TV, but it was pulled at the very last minute. Ray revealed; "At the last second, the decision was made to not go forward with it. Bully Ray was ready to go, but that’s all I can tell you. We were one day away, and they had to pull the plug on it." Bully now works for Ring of Honor, alongside fellow former TNA World Champions Matt and Jeff Hardy.
Below is some of the 2017 PPV schedule for WWE, with the PPV's that are designated for either RAW only, SmackDown only, or joint PPV's. WrestleMania 33 (SmackDown & RAW) - April 2 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL Payback (RAW Only) - April 30 - SAP Center, San Jose, CA Backlash (SmackDown Only) - May 21 - Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL Extreme Rules (RAW Only) - June 4 - Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD Money in the Bank (SmackDown Only) - June 18 - Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO SummerSlam - (SmackDown & RAW) - August 20 - Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY Survivor Series - (SmackDown & RAW) - November 19 - Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Ray Leppan, aka The former Adam Rose and Leo Krugar, is to wrap up his wrestling career this year after making the decision to retire. Krugar made the announcment on his Official Twitter account; "This will be my last year wrestling, Thank you to those who got it, thank you even more to those who didn't. You pushed me harder. Much love."
At NEW's WrestleFest XXI event on 03/03/2017, Kurt Angle lost to Cody Rhodes in a Steel Cage match, which would be Kurt's final Indie Wrestling match.
The first Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania 33 will be a special one for WWE fans to mark in their diary's, as Wrestling Legend Kurt Angle is alleged to returns to WWE TV at the show.
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Champion Jack Swagger has requested his leave from WWE after feeling the company doesn't value him as much as he values himself, aswell as not receiving opportunities. Swagger said "it's time to go", and has big plans to continue wrestling in the UK, Mexico and Japan, but due to WWE's contract conditions, Swagger has a non-compete clause for 90 days. WWE said; “Jack Swagger has not been granted a release from his WWE contract. When he is granted his release, Jack Swagger will remain under exclusive contract to WWE for 90 days and will be compensated accordingly during that period.”
Big Show fears match with Shaq may not happen, but Shaq reveals that talks are back on again. Basketball Legend Shaquille O'Neal revealed on his podcast that the match with Big Show at WrestleMania 33 may not happen, but he strongly claims that it's not his fault. Big Show recently made a comment suggesting that Shaq is afraid of showing the world how much weight he has put on. Shaq said; "These next 30 days, I'm about to go hard, so I'm still doing it like it's going down. I actually start two-a-days on March 1st. Then, it's going down. I'm going on vacation from March 2nd to the 7th. And then, from the 8th to like the 29th, two-a-days, sometimes three-a-days. It's going down, Big Show. Just saying, it ain't me, America."
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Through The Ropes Newsletter Issue #20
Written By the Through The Ropes Team
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