Backstage News on WWE and Ring of Honor

As noted, WWE has announced that wrestling legend Jushin "Thunder" Liger will be wrestling Tyler Breeze at the "Takeover: Brooklyn" event. This caused controversy as Liger and New Japan Pro Wrestling have ties to ROH and several top NJPW stars will also be wrestling in New York City that night at ROH's Field of Honor event. F4Wonline.com notes that other significant moves are being made behind-the-scenes regarding NXT and ROH, ones that apparently do not involve NJPW. The moves should be made public soon.

WWE Holding Tryouts And Special HOF Ceremony In Japan

2015 WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami will be appearing at the July 3rd WWE live event in Tokyo, Japan. WWE will actually be holding a special Hall of Fame ceremony for Fujinami that night. WWE will also be holding tryouts for Japanese wrestlers before that night's live event.

Video: Vince McMahon & Triple H present the 2015 WWE Hall of Fame Class with their rings

2015 WWE Hall of Fame Recap

Full report

Tatsumi Fujinami To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame

WWE announced at this week’s SmackDown taping in Kansas City, MO that Tatsumi Fujinami will be inducted into their Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015.

Fujinami is known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling and is a former 6-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He actually worked Ric Flair at SuperBrawl 1991.

Hideo Doing A Weekly Column

WWE's Japan website will begin featuring a weekly column from NXT star Hideo Itami on December 26th. The column will follow Hideo's time in NXT with photos and more.

New Japan Pro Wrestling Unveils It’s Own Streaming Service That Will Include Live Events, Wrestle Kingdom 9 & Tons of Classic Content

New Japan Pro Wrestling held a live press conference to announce the unveiling of their very own streaming service, “New Japan World”.

The service is available immediately, and is very similar to the WWE Network, in that the promotion will be airing all their major events live. Unlike WWE, where they have TV contracts that keep Raw and Smackdown on major networks, the bulk of New Japan content is offered as pay-per-view in Japan, and internet pay-per-view in the United States. What that means is instead of one major PPV on the WWE Network each month, you’re going to get upwards of four or five big live shows in a given month, including the G1 Tag League finals next weekend.

New Japan World is being offered at 999 yen, which is roughly $8.42 per month, and we’ve already received emails from U.S. fans that have subscribed and are watching classic content. Their website advertises its availability on desktops, tablets and smart phones as well.

Team 3D inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in Japan

WWE Star Tops PWI 500 List

WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan was the #1 ranked wrestler on the 24th annual “PWI 500″ list.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated selected this year’s list by evulating all pro wrestlers between July 1st, 2013, and July 31st, 2014. The rules state wrestlers must have competed in a minimum of twenty matches, or at least one match in seven separate months in the specified time frame.

The top ten of the PWI 500 list is as follows:

Daniel Bryan
Randy Orton
John Cena
AJ Styles
Kazuchika Okada
Bray Wyatt
Roman Reigns
Magnus
Adam Cole
Bully Ray

Triple H on WWE’s signing of Kenta

On July 12, 2014, WWE made the huge announcement that the company had signed Japanese wrestling sensation Kenta. WWE Hall of Famer and pop culture icon Hulk Hogan presided over the ceremony, which took place in the ring at a Live Event in Osaka during WWE’s recent Japan Tour. Hogan, who became a star in Japan before Hulkamania ran wild at Madison Square Garden, mentioned Kenta in the same breath as Japanese legends (and Hogan contemporaries) Antonio Inoki, Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami.

Kenta has the potential to be as transformative as any of those stars. Rising to fame in Pro Wrestling Noah — an organization he helped build alongside owner Mitsuharu Misawa — Kenta caught the attention of American audiences during stints with independent organization Ring of Honor, where he wrestled Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins in acclaimed bouts.

WWE.com spoke with WWE’s COO Triple H to learn more about Kenta’s unique style and the global ramifications of him joining WWE.

WWE.COM: When did Kenta first come on your radar?

TRIPLE H: I’ve known about Kenta for years. He’s one of the biggest stars in Japan. He’s a huge talent, obviously. I’m excited for him to try to bring his brand of sports-entertainment to WWE and see how he does.

WWE.COM: Had you seen his work or was it only word of mouth?

TRIPLE H: No, no, I was absolutely familiar with him. It’s funny, because WWE is a different world. You’ll hear players all the time talk about making the switch from college football to the NFL and the difference in the game. I think it’s the same when you come to WWE. I don’t care where you’ve been or how big you’ve been anyplace else. When you get here, it’s a whole different world. There’s no ceiling for anybody in WWE. You just have to come here and prove that you belong to be in the ring with the best in the world. If you can hang with them, that’s exactly where you’ll be. Kenta has all the tools to be able to do it — he’s proven that for years in Japan. Now let’s see what he can do in NXT. Adapt or perish.

WWE.COM: Who would you like to see Kenta wrestle in NXT when he goes down there for the first time?

TRIPLE H: There’s a massive amount of talent I’d love to see him work with down there. The obvious guys are Sami Zayn and NXT Champion Adrian Neville, but there are ton of guys down there like Tyson Kidd, Justin Gabriel and anybody in that class. NXT is the proving ground to get to WWE, and that’s where Kenta’s gonna have to prove himself. He’s gotta prove that he belongs in WWE.

WWE.COM: What is Kenta’s training status and when can we expect to see him on Raw?

TRIPLE H: He just signed with us. I was there when he had his tryout at the Performance Center and I met with him there. We’ve been working on this for a while. His training will start when he gets here. The thing is, you can be a big star anyplace else in the world. That gets you in the door. What you do once you get here is a whole different ballgame. He’s no different than anybody else once he walks through the door of the Performance Center.

WWE.COM: What makes Kenta different than other international stars WWE has signed in the past, and what does he do for WWE’s international appeal?

TRIPLE H: For the Japanese markets, it’s a huge opportunity to see one of their stars come try to make a name for himself in the US and on a global basis. We are a global company and we recruit globally. We are looking for the biggest and brightest athletes all over the world.

Big WWE Signing Expected Next Month

Tokyo Sports in Japan is reporting that WWE will officially announce that former Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA has signed with the company during their tour of Japan next month with a press conference on 7/12.

The signing had been expected for some time.

Ric Flair Wrestling for Japanese Promotion, Flair Talks About Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, His Health

Ric Flair recently spoke with Mike Mooneyham of The Charleston Post & Courier. Flair noted that he's down to 228 pounds and is in the best shape he's been in since his TNA run.

The article confirms a recent report that Flair is scheduled to wrestle for a Japanese promotion in September. Flair also talked about wanting to manage Dolph Ziggler when he returns to WWE soon. Flair commented on Ziggler:

"I think he's awesome. He'd be a great guy to manage. He looks like a million bucks. He just can't find his gimmick. He needs to work on his entrance. I could help him with that."

Flair also talked about his daughter, NXT Women's Champion Charlotte:

"She will be the greatest Flair of all time. Her credentials speak for themselves," says Flair. "I'd put her resume up against anybody. She's Rey Mysterio but bigger. She is going to be the greatest female wrestler and the most famous diva in the history of the WWE."

Huge Pro Wrestling NOAH Superstar Leaves

KENTA announced today at a press conference at the NOAH offices that he will be having his final show being on 5/17.

KENTA is the biggest name in NOAH, and has had a WWE tryout week in January. The belief in Japan is that he is WWE/NXT-bound, at the Press Conference he said the following;

"There is only one life, and it is now or never to try something new in a different environment,"

If you didn't know, KENTA was trained by his name-sake, legendary Kenta Kobashi, and had outstanding matches back in 2005/2007 in Ring Of Honor with the likes of WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins. While having won pretty much everything in NOAH and being #22 on the PWI Top 500 last year.

Wrestlers announced for Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling Collaboration

Ring of Honor has announced a collaboration with New Japan Pro Wrestling that will see the two companies trade talent over the next few months. Though nothing has appeared on the website as of now, the first shows featuring Japanese talent will be 5/10 in Toronto and 5/17 in NYC. The talent who appeared in the video include IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada, IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Jushin Liger, Gedo, and Jado.

source: prowrestling.net

KENTA Talks About Why He's Been at the WWE Performance Center This Week

Pro Wrestling Noah star KENTA has blogged about why he was at the WWE Performance Center this week. Here is a translation from Japanese to English from yottsumepuroresu.blogspot.jp:

"I am sorry for having you all confused over the various information about my visit in the US.

As a matter of fact, I am in the States and enjoying the WWE training. But as for now, it’s not about getting a tryout or a contract.

It is indeed true that I have always been yearning for a spot in WWE, and I’ve always wanted to give it a try sometime. After all, you only live once. “I should have given it a try.” “I should have chosen another way.” I’ve had those regrets when I was in my middle and high school, and even after I got in to this business. I just did not want to regret later about something I haven’t tried, so I used my time off to participate in the WWE workout. The executives were at the workout, so perhaps I may have left a mark.

The place is full of competition and hungry guys. It’s not as simple as being good at Puroresu or having strength. There are so many guys with monster physique and guys who are way athletically superior to me. And even they don’t get into the big league. That’s how tough this place could be. I can easily imagine that surviving in this environment could be severe. And spending a few days in that environment became a really good experience for me.

I’m sorry to have caused the confusion, but one thing I can say for sure is that “I’m glad I came”. I would like to work even harder making use of this experience.

And lastly, I would like to thank [NOAH] President [Akira] Taue for letting me take this chance."

Top Japanese Star Gets a WWE Tryout

Pro Wrestling Noah star KENTA was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando on Monday, working out in the ring. Word is that he was brought in for a tryout this week and that William Regal suggested WWE look at him.

NJPW Champ Headed to WWE?

Current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Prince Devitt announced via Twitter that he was coming to WWE, in order to look for a new member for his "Bullet Club" faction.

I am going to WWE.... To find a new member of #BulletClub..

— Prince Devitt (@fergaldevitt) November 2, 2013

Back in August, we reported that WWE was interested in signing Devitt after William Regal showed Triple H a tape of his match against Adrian Neville, who is currently under contract in NXT, and among the names being discussed for a WWE roster spot in the near future.

This Day In Wrestling History

Junzo Yoshinosato defeats Isao Yoshiwara in a tournament final to become the first Japanese Light Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo.
October 23, 1956

Abdullah the Butcher & Dr. Jerry Graham defeat Chris and John Tolos for the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
October 23, 1967

WWF(E) Champion Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair wrestle their first match in Dayton, Ohio. Flair wins via count out.
October 23, 1991

Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma defeated the Patriot & Marcus Bagwell for the WCW World Tag Team title.
October 23, 1994

Alundra Blaze defeated Bertha Faye for the WWF(E) Women's title.
October 23, 1995

Rodney "Yokozuna" Anoa'i died of a heart attack at age 34.
October 23, 2000

AJ Styles defeated Syxx-Pac for the NWA-TNA X title.
October 23, 2002

This Day In Wrestling History

Mayor Bosse and the Sheriff of Evansville, IN confiscate the $2,756 in ticket sales from the previous night's match on the basis that they believe the Stecher-Lewis match was "not on the square" and was in fact "rigged." Mayor Bosse then proclaims that there would be no more wrestling in Evansville. Show promoter W. F. Barton is left with just $13 after the incident and claimed to owe $400 to the wrestlers.
October 21, 1915

All Japan Pro Wrestling holds it's first ever show at Machida City Gym in Tokyo, Japan. The show is headlined by a two out of three fall tag team match, with Bruno Sammartino & Terry Funk defeating Giant Baba & Thunder Sugiyama. Funk pinned Sugiyama to win the first fall, Sugiyama pinned Funk to win the second, and Baba & Sugiyama were counted out in the final fall.
October 21, 1972

Ernie Ladd defeats Carlos Colon in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title.
October 21, 1974

Ken Patera defeats Tony Atlas to win his second NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
October 21, 1978

Bret Hart, ending months of rumors and speculation, signs a 20-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation, turning down a lucrative offer from WCW. As part of the agreement, which will see Hart become a part of the WWF office following his in-ring career, Bret is allowed to go into the ring during a live edition of Raw and discuss his decision. Hart does not blast WCW (as some within WWF were hoping), but does reveal that he is staying with the WWF. One year later, Vince McMahon would be asking Bret to drop the WWF Title to Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series and releasing him from the contract, beginning the most famous story in wrestling history, the Montreal Screwjob.
October 21, 1996

Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeats Marc Mero the WWF Intercontinental Title, his first title in WWF/E.
October 21, 1996

Chris Jericho defeated The Rock for the WCW Heavyweight title.
October 21, 2001

Triple H simulated sex with a mannequin while dressed as Kane, in the infamous Katie Vick necrophilia skit.
October 21, 2002

Kenta Kobashi Retirement Match

Legendary Japanese wrestler Kenta Kobashi took part in his retirement match earlier today at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. According to a report by Dave Meltzer, the entire arena was sold out along with every closed-circuit showing the event in Tokyo. Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Keiji Muto and Kensuke Sasaki def. KENTA, Go Shoizaki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Maybach Taniguchi when Kobashi pinned Kanemaru with a moonsault. The post-match interview was described as being "very teary eyed" in celebration of Kobashi's career. Kobashi thanked everyone saying he had the greatest career possible.

source: wrestling observer