All the latest news from Wrestling-Online.com http://www.wrestling-online.com Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:41:27 EST en-us Reported by Colin Vassallo If you are reading this, it means that you are using the old version of... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:37:42 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/UPDATE_to_new_W-O_News_HD_app_from_Apple_App_Store.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/UPDATE_to_new_W-O_News_HD_app_from_Apple_App_Store.shtml
This app will not be updated anymore and you have to update (free) to version 2 of the W-O News HD app through the Apple App Store.

The new app features Retina Display support, offline reading, unread story notifications, social media integration, flick left or right to go to previous and next articles, and is much, much faster!

You can download the app HERE.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/wo.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo PWInsider.com is reporting that Ric Flair - who is currently in Japan - ended up... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:35:49 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Ric_Flair_misses_return_to_the_ring_in_Japan_due_to_leg_problems.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Ric_Flair_misses_return_to_the_ring_in_Japan_due_to_leg_problems.shtml
The two-time WWE Hall of Famer and 16 time World Heavyweight champion was supposed to be tagging with Keiji Mutoh - better known to most U.S. fans as The Great Muta - to take on Tatsumu Fujinami and Seiya Sanada.

His replacement was his son Reid, who was scheduled to take part in an earlier match on the show. Reid and Mutoh lost their tag match.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/ricflair.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo During the Royal Rumble Fan Fest that will take place today outside the U.S. Airways... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 05:05:35 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/NXT_tournament_today_to_determine_which_NXT_star_entering_the_Rumble.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/NXT_tournament_today_to_determine_which_NXT_star_entering_the_Rumble.shtml
The competitors announced are Corey Graves, Oliver Grey, Luke Harper, Xavier Woods, Conor O'Brian, Adrian Neville, Bo Dallas, and Leo Kruger.

The Fan Fest will be located on the US Airways plaza in the corner of 1st Street & Jefferson. Tickets start at $10 each.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/nxt.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo WWE and the Pearson Foundation today announced a partnership to expand WWE's WrestleMania Reading Challenge... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:26:36 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/WWE_and_Pearson_Foundation_announce_WrestleMania_Reading_Challenge_initiative.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/WWE_and_Pearson_Foundation_announce_WrestleMania_Reading_Challenge_initiative.shtml
Beginning February 4, students between the ages of 4 and 11 will have the opportunity to join the WrestleMania Reading Challenge at WWEReadingSuperstar.com.

Through this new partnership with the Pearson Foundation's digital reading initiative, We Give Books, students will be able to read children's books online, virtually connect with WWE Superstar Reading Buddies and enter to win a trip to WrestleMania 29 or a school visit from a WWE Superstar.

"WWE is proud to expand its commitment to literacy initiatives through this new partnership with the Pearson Foundation and We Give Books," said Michelle D. Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, WWE. "Given that today's youth are digitally connected at such an early age, the WrestleMania Reading Challenge will now reach more children than ever before."]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/wwe.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo The Hart Legacy Wrestling promotion in Calgary held its first event on the 18th of... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:56:54 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Hart_Legacy_Wrestling_promotion_screws_talent_and_staff_over_pay.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Hart_Legacy_Wrestling_promotion_screws_talent_and_staff_over_pay.shtml
The sold out crowd at the Pavilion however was not aware what was going behind the scenes as during the intermission, the staff was informed that they would not be able to get paid that day.

After the show was over, the promoter, John Oniston, held a meeting and asked for everyone's forgiveness and promised to pay with a $100 bonus on top of what everyone was owed by January 22. January 22 passed and the talent and staff has still not been paid.

Jeff Jackson, co-host of Wrestling News Live, was one of the members of the broadcast team who called the action during the inaugural event but has since resigned from the promotion and will not be associated with Hart Legacy Wrestling any further due to what happened.

"I wanna give kudos to the guys that went out in the main event and risked their lives to perform knowing that a payday would not be given at the end of the night and to Pete Wilson who was rushed to the ER after suffering a shoulder injury and who may not work for a while as a result," Jackson said in an e-mail.

"Most of the talent work other jobs and a fair number of them took a day off to be a part of the show, myself included. Some even paid out of their pocket last minute for show necessities and of course were not reimbursed," he added.

Jackson offered his apologies to the crowd who attended the show, saying that they all did their part and it's a pity that they were led to believe that a new wrestling promotion out of Calgary could work.

"I find it disgusting that the Hart name is associated with this and it appears that stiffing your talent will be what Hart Legacy Wrestling leaves in its wake," Jackson continued in his e-mail.

"HLW paid with broken promises. I only hope that those owed money get what they have coming to them, and to Stacy Angel and John Oniston, I really hope you get what's coming to you."

Jackson noted that none of the staff and wrestlers - except those who were paid beforehand - were given a cent for all their work and yesterday everyone was given another excuse saying that they would be getting paid the week after.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/noimage.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo For the next movie featuring The Rock, you will be able to see the people's... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:52:48 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/G_I_Joe_Retaliation_with_Dwayne_Johnson_to_be_released_in_IMAX_3D.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/G_I_Joe_Retaliation_with_Dwayne_Johnson_to_be_released_in_IMAX_3D.shtml
Paramount Pictures announced in a press release that the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie will be digitally re-mastered into the IMAX 3D format and released to select IMAX theatres internationally starting March 28 and for a one week run in North America beginning March 29.

"Dwayne Johnson has resonated well with IMAX fans, and we believe his strong global appeal, coupled with the action spectacle of G.I. Joe: Retaliation in IMAX 3D is sure to excite moviegoers," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The Rock will play the role of Roadblock in the G.I. Joe movie which also has Bruce Willis.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/therockmovie.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo Monday Night RAW this week scored a 3.04 rating with an average of 4,320,000 viewers,... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:21:51 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/RAW_rating_for_01_21_2012.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/RAW_rating_for_01_21_2012.shtml
Hour one of the show did 4,370,000 viewers, hour two did 4,420,000 viewers, and hour three dropped to 4,160,000 viewers. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/raw.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo Rumors are flying around that Take-Two Interactive has purchased the WWE video game license from... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:13:13 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Take-Two_Interactive_rumored_to_have_purchased_the_WWE_video_game_license.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Take-Two_Interactive_rumored_to_have_purchased_the_WWE_video_game_license.shtml
If the story checks out to be true, the sports arm of Take-Two, 2K Sports, will most likely be publishing the WWE '14 video game.

Alan Lewis, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Take-Two Interactive Software chose not to comment about the rumors when we contacted Take-Two today.

"We do not comment on rumors and speculation," Lewis wrote in an e-mail.

The sale of the WWE video game license is believed to have been separate from the auction that was held on January 22 to dissolve the THQ assets.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/wwegames.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo THQ - the video game publisher for WWE - has been dissolved and the company... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:41:40 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/THQ_dissolved_faith_of_WWE_video_game_license_unknown.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/THQ_dissolved_faith_of_WWE_video_game_license_unknown.shtml
"If you are an employee of an entity that is not included in the sale, we regret that your position will end," said the letter.

Different companies have acquired different assets of THQ, which filed for bankruptcy last year. The assets were sold yesterday in an auction and attracted companies such as SEGA, Take-Two, Ubisoft and others.

One thing which still there's no news on is the WWE license. WWE is owed around $45 million as a creditor and is the single most valuable license that THQ was in possession of. The future home for WWE video games has yet to be disclosed and it's not known if it was sold during the auction or will be sold separately.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/wwegames.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo There are several dates in professional wrestling which could be considered as being somewhat historic,... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:21:50 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Hogan_Sheik_remember_the_changing_of_the_guard_at_MSG_on_January_23_1984.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/general/Hogan_Sheik_remember_the_changing_of_the_guard_at_MSG_on_January_23_1984.shtml
29 years ago today, on January 23, 1984, professional wrestling got its biggest kick start when Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden to win the WWF title. On that day, Hulkamania was born, and as they say, the rest is history.

On Twitter, the WWE Hall of Famer and now TNA personality Hulk Hogan mentioned the historic date.

"29yrs ago humbled the curley toed jabronie in MSG and changed the world of pro wrestling forever brother,let the entertainment begin HH4life," Hogan wrote.

Sheik also took it to Twitter to respond to Hogan's comment.

"29 year ago I make the hulkamania hulkamania. If no Iron Sheik they never be the Hulk Hogan," he replied.

Sheiky then turned to his usual funny self, bashing Hogan for having a "rice crispy dick" and for being a "no good motherf!@#er."]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/hulkhogan.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo From WWE champion to wrestling on a pay-per-view pre-show match - and that is the... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:21:25 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Miz_vs_Cesaro_to_air_as_the_Rumble_2013_pre-show_match.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Miz_vs_Cesaro_to_air_as_the_Rumble_2013_pre-show_match.shtml
WWE announced that The Miz will be taking on Antonio Cesaro for the United States title in the pre-show of the Royal Rumble, a free match that will air on WWE.COM, YouTube, and Facebook, starting at 7:30PM this Sunday.

So far, apart from the Rumble match itself, there will be three other matches on the pay-per-view: CM Punk vs The Rock for the WWE title, Alberto Del Rio vs Big Show for the World Heavyweight title in a Last Man Standing match, and Team Hell No vs The Rhodes Scholars for the Tag Team titles.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/themiz.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo TNA Wrestling has signed a deal with Nippon Television Network Corporation in Japan to start... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:51:40 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/Nippon_Television_Network_Corporation_in_Japan_secures_TNA_TV_rights.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/Nippon_Television_Network_Corporation_in_Japan_secures_TNA_TV_rights.shtml
Episodes of IMPACT will start airing every Saturday at 7:30PM on channel G+, a channel which is found on various cable networks across Japan as well as the satellite provider SkyPerfecTV. TNA pay-per-views will also be broadcast monthly on the channel.

"TNA IMPACT WRESTLING continues to build partnerships with the best broadcasters around the world. This agreement with Nippon Television's G+ will allow TNA to deliver its exciting brand of professional wrestling to our ever growing Japanese fanbase. The history of wrestling in Japan is very long and very rich and everyone at TNA is thrilled that we're now a full part of it," said TNA Executive Vice President, Andy Barton.

]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/tna.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo 29 year old James Curtin, who is known to TNA fans in the UK as... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:49:37 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/TNA_British_Boot_Camp_winner_revealed.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/TNA_British_Boot_Camp_winner_revealed.shtml
Spud was fighting for a contract on the reality-based television show with Marty Scurll and the Blossom twins, Holly and Hannah. Spud was chosen as the winner on the season finale which aired on Challenge TV in the United Kingdom.

British Boot Camp was the first non-game show commissioned for the station by its parent company BSkyB - which also airs all WWE shows. The show was taped last year under the supervision of Jeremy Borash. ]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/tna.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo TNA has already announced the dates for their yearly Maximum Impact tour in the United... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:39:34 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/2014_TNA_Maximum_Impact_UK_tour_dates_announced.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/2014_TNA_Maximum_Impact_UK_tour_dates_announced.shtml
The company will be visiting Glasgow, Scotland, on January 30 at the Glasgow Hydro; Manchester, England, on Friday, January 31 at the Manchester Arena; London, England, on Saturday, February 1 at the Wembley Arena; and Birmingham, England, on Sunday, February 2 at the Birmingham NIA.

"Everyone knows that the U.K. Tour is one of the highlights of the year for everyone in TNA Impact Wrestling, so I'm excited to announce that we're coming back in 2014," said TNA President Dixie Carter.

A limited seven day period pre-sale will kick off on Monday, January 28 at 8AM, at Gigsandtours.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

"We're putting tickets on pre-sale for one week only so our most hardcore fans can beat the rush and get their seats early. I'm already counting down the days until we're back in Glasgow, Manchester and London - and am delighted that we're adding Birmingham to the schedule for 2014," Carter added.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/tna.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo Twenty three spots have so far been filled for the Royal Rumble, leaving seven open... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:35:48 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/23_spots_filled_so_far_for_the_Royal_Rumble.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/23_spots_filled_so_far_for_the_Royal_Rumble.shtml
Chances are that more entrants will be announced during the Smackdown tapings and maybe keep one or two spots reserved for a possible surprise entries.

So far confirmed appearing in the Rumble are (in alphabetical order): Antonio Cesaro, Brodus Clay, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Darren Young, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jinder Mahal, John Cena, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Michael McGillicutty, Randy Orton, Ryback, Sheamus, The Great Khali, The Miz, Titus O'Neil, and Wade Barrett.

Dolph Ziggler will be entering at either number one or two after Vickie Guerrero screwed him over following his beat the clock win on RAW.
]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/royalrumble.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo 63 year old Bob Backlund is the latest Superstar to be announced for the 2013... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:13:29 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Bob_Backlund_announced_for_the_2013_WWE_Hall_of_Fame.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Bob_Backlund_announced_for_the_2013_WWE_Hall_of_Fame.shtml
Backlund's journey with the WWWF started in 1977 and just one year later, Backlund won the then WWF title in MSG and kept it for almost six years, before losing it to the Iron Sheik.

In 1984, Backlund left the WWF and then returned in 1992, winning the WWF title at the 1994 Survivor Series after defeating Bret Hart. His reign however was very short-lived as Kevin "Diesel" Nash won the title from him just three days later at Madison Square Garden in a non-televised event.

Backlund briefly appeared for TNA in 2007 and in 2012 he returned in an episode of RAW and also appeared on the RAW 1000 show.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/halloffame.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo This past Friday, the RAW brand were at the Staples Center for a non-televised live... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:02:54 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Live_RAW_event_results_from_01_18_in_Los_Angeles.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Live_RAW_event_results_from_01_18_in_Los_Angeles.shtml
Brodus Clay defeats JTG; Jack Swagger defeated Alex Riley; Kaitlyn defeated Tamina; Bo Dallas defeated Damian Sandow via DQ; Rey Mysterio & Bo Dallas defeated Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes; John Cena defeated Dolph Ziggler in a no DQ match; Zack Ryder defeated Tensai; Antonio Cesaro defeated The Miz; Ryback defeated CM Punk via DQ.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/cmpunk.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo In preparation for this Sunday's Royal Rumble, our good friend Jeramie McPeek from the Phoenix... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:55:31 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Paul_Heyman_talks_about_Punk_Lesnar_and_more_in_interview_with_USAC.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Paul_Heyman_talks_about_Punk_Lesnar_and_more_in_interview_with_USAC.shtml
Heyman recalled how he watched a video of Punk wrestling on a "little indy show" and he came off "like a gigantic superstar," saying that the champ just "exudes star power."

When quizzed about a comment Punk made about Heyman when he said that he owes everything to him, Heyman responded that it feels surreal that anytime a big Superstar such as Punk, Lesnar, or Steve Austin credit him.

"So I am reluctant to accept the praise because all I did was notice how great of a star he could become," Heyman said.

The former ECW creative genius also touched the pipe-bomb interview, the "best in the world" moniker, The Rock, the Royal Rumble and Brock Lesnar in this must-read interview.

You can check it out at here.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/paulheyman.jpg Reported by Colin Vassallo The pre-sale for WWE WrestleMania Axxess starts tomorrow at 10AM EST and will run till... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:24:05 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Pre-sale_code_for_WrestleMania_29_Axxess.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/News_9/Pre-sale_code_for_WrestleMania_29_Axxess.shtml
Fans who want to purchase tickets for the event can do so by using the code FBAXXESS. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, January 26, at 10AM EST.

The general admission ticket price is $45 plus an additional $13.50 in fees for a total price of $58.50. A VIP ticket will be sold for $135 plus fees.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/wmxxix.png Reported by Colin Vassallo TNA Superstars and crew are currently in Europe for six days where they will perform... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:56:34 EST http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/TNA_starts_tour_in_Ireland_Scotland_and_England.shtml http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/TNA/TNA_starts_tour_in_Ireland_Scotland_and_England.shtml
The tour kicks off today in Dublin, Ireland, at the Dublin National Stadium which is followed by a one day off. The tour resumes on Wednesday at the Glasgow Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, and then on Thursday the tour moves to England at the Nottingham Capital FM Arena in Nottingham.

On Friday, TNA will tape two IMPACT shows at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, and then on Saturday, two more IMPACT tapings will be held at the London Wembley Arena in London.]]> http://www.wrestling-online.com/news/pictures/tsimages/thumbnails/tna.jpg