U.S. woman fights for her dream in Japanese pro wrestling

Backstage News on the NXT Deals Signed by Ciampa and Gargano, Speculation on Bobby Roode and Kota Ibushi Deals, Manny Andrade, More

As we noted over the weekend, WWE has officially signed Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano to NXT deals. The two had been appearing on NXT TV for several months prior to being signed.

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, Ciampa and Gargano are actually signed to WWE NXT touring contracts, which differ from regular WWE developmental deals. The two will not be based in Orlando and will not be required to work out at the WWE Performance Center, but neither of them are allowed to work the indy scene.

With regards to Bobby Roode and Kota Ibushi, Meltzer speculates Bobby Roode will be offered a similar deal to that of Ciampa and Gargano, while Kota Ibushi could end up with a regular deal like the one offered to Shinsuke Nakamura. Ibushi’s deal would likely be for less money, however.

In related news, there appears to be some second-guessing with regards to experienced talents like Rich Swann and Biff Busick, as the two are doing developmental tasks like drills and ring crew work. This may have something to do with the type of deals Gargano and Ciampa signed, although that has yet to be confirmed.

The Swann/Busick argument could be made for an experienced talent like Manny Andrade, fka La Sombra, but he has yet to learn the US style of wrestling at the Performance Center.

WWE Questions Kota Ibushi’s Future Following Takeover Dallas

Following Kota Ibushi’s ringside appearance at WWE NXT Takeover Dallas tonight, WWE posted the following about Ibushi and questioned what his future might hold in WWE and/or NXT:

NXT TakeOver: Dallas had no shortage of action inside the ring, but there also was plenty of intrigue beyond the ropes. During the live WWE Network event, Kota Ibushi was seen sitting amongst the capacity crowd of NXT fans. Is the Japanese Superstar the next highly-acclaimed competitor to bring his talents to NXT? Let the speculation begin.

The decorated grappler could have been taking in another action-packed NXT TakeOver, like the thousands of other fans in attendance at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. However, there’s also the possibility that he’s scouting his future competition. If it’s indeed the latter, who in NXT might Ibushi have his sights set on? Does the man they call “Golden Star” have plans to enter his name into the recently announced Global Cruiserweight Series? What dream matchups could be in store for Ibushi?

Professional Wrestling Legend Hayabusa Dies At 47

From WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of Eiji Ezaki, better known to fans around the world as Hayabusa, at the age of 47.

An innovative high-flyer who helped inspire a generation of Superstars, the mysterious, masked Hayabusa was known for throwing caution to the wind. Ezaki created daring moves like the Phoenix Splash, which to this day can be seen in the repertoire of daredevil competitors, including former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A major star in Japan in the mid to late ’90s, Hayabusa competed in one major American match, teaming with Jinsei Shinzaki (known as Hakushi in WWE) in a losing effort against Sabu & Rob Van Dam at ECW’s Heat Wave 1998 event. Although his career was cut short by injury in 2001, Ezaki never strayed far from the industry, where he continued to impart his knowledge.

Backstage News on Shinsuke Nakamura’s Pay in WWE, His Projected Run in NXT, His Signing a Major Sports Story in Japan

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Radio and Wrestling Observer Newsletter, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinsuke Nakamura looks to be the first NXT Superstar to receive WWE main event level money.

It has yet to be reported how much actual time Nakamura will spend in NXT, but all signs reportedly point towards a lengthy run in the brand, which makes his high pay interesting to note.

Nakamura’s signing has been treated like a major sports story in Japan, as the February 22nd press conference in Tokyo at the Hard Rock was attended by over 100 reporters, photographers and videographers.

Shinsuke Nakamura is coming to NXT TakeOver: Dallas

Yes, the rumors are true. Shinsuke Nakamura is coming to WWE NXT.

At Wednesday night’s NXT taping at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla., a video announcing the arrival of the Japanese standout at TakeOver: Dallas, which takes place during WrestleMania 32 Week, played for the live crowd, sending shockwaves through the arena and, moments later, the social media world.

Nakamura, a 14-year veteran of the squared circle, has been a leading star in the New Japan promotion since 2002. Renowned for his striking and submission ability, as well as his unorthodox charisma, Nakamura’s devastating Bomaye knee strike has felled many opponents and his smash mouth style has earned him the nickname The King of Strong Style. A three-time IWGP Champion — the same title once held by the likes of Vader, The Great Muta and AJ Styles — Nakamura is the youngest competitor to win that championship, capturing it for the first time at 23. He has taken on a who’s who of the best grapplers in the world in his career, facing the likes of Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens, Hideo Itami, WWE Performance Center Head Coach Matt Bloom and The Beast Incarnate himself, Brock Lesnar.

Rumors of Nakamura coming to WWE first started in early January, along with gossip about AJ Styles and Bullet Club members Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows returning to America. Reports about Styles became truth during the 2016 Royal Rumble Match when The Phenomenal One entered at No. 3. Now, The King of Strong Style has decreed that he will be stepping between the yellow ropes in the not-so-distant future.

What does Shinsuke Nakamura have planned for NXT and The Superstars of Tomorrow at TakeOver: Dallas? Find out by tuning into NXT, every Wednesday at 8/7 C, only on WWE Network!

Vince McMahon's Last Regional Takeover

Is global domination the true nefarious plan of all this? Not exactly, it's just an extension of Vince McMahon's true legacy. With no other land left to conquer, and with technology finally able to provide the proper weapons, he's set his sights on the second biggest wrestling market in the world. The actual talent he's picked up to do it is very much a secondary story...More?

source: cagesideseats.com

WWE Website Picks Up On Rumors Of AJ Styles And Other NJPW Stars Coming In

WWE's website has picked up on the rumors of New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura possibly leaving NJPW for WWE.

It's rare that WWE's website covers rumors like these and they are promising updates. Below is what they wrote:

Are AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows coming to WWE?

The sports-entertainment world has been buzzing this week with speculation that WWE has signed four massive international Superstars.

Numerous media outlets reported Monday that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke "Doc" Gallows — most recently of New Japan Pro Wrestling — are in negotiations to compete under the WWE banner.

The office of WWE COO and EVP of Talent Relations, Triple H, declined to comment on the rumors for WWE.com.

Reports began circulating late Sunday that all four had reportedly given their notices to New Japan management. Fueling the rumors that Styles, Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows were WWE-bound was a series of tweets involving reigning NXT Champion Finn Bálor.

Until recently, Styles, Gallows and Anderson were all part of New Japan's Bullet Club faction, a stable formerly led by Bálor when he wrestled in Japan under the alias Prince Devitt. For months, Bálor has made it clear that he's still tight with the Bullet Club members, even tweeting photos of them wearing his "Bálor Club" T-Shirts. On Monday, Bálor stirred the pot again, tweeting an image of Anderson sporting trunks that bore Finn's "demon" design. Additionally, the official Twitter account for the Bullet Club tweeted the NXT Champion Monday, telling him to keep more Bálor Club shirts on hand in case they need them. That tweet has since been deleted.

Rumors On WWE Possibly Hiring A New Japan Pro Wrestling Star To Work As A Trainer

There are rumors of New Japan Pro Wrestling star and former ROH Tag Team Champion Rocky Romero also leaving the company. This comes after the rumors of AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura reportedly leaving for WWE.

Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Live today that apparently Romero was being discussed for a trainer role in WWE. No word yet if there's any truth to the rumors of him leaving NJPW for WWE.

We do know that Romero was in attendance for one of the recent WWE NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University. We'll keep you updated on his status and the reports of Styles, Gallows, Anderson and Nakamura coming to WWE.

Rumor Mill - WWE Reportedly Signs AJ Styles And Other Top NJPW Stars

WWE has reportedly signed New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, according to F4WOnline. We first exclusively reported in early December that WWE was interested in signing Nakamura. The group reportedly informed NJPW booker Gedo that they were finishing up before WrestleKingdom 10 this morning.

No word yet on when the four will begin work with WWE but Nakamura apparently is not leaving early as he will most likely drop his title before leaving.

F4W added that Anderson was reportedly also in talks with TNA and close to signing but the WWE deal came through instead. Anderson, Gallows and Nakamura are expected to honor their Ring of Honor dates for February and AJ is likely done with ROH going forward.

Awesome Kong announces her retirement from pro wrestling

Kia Stevens, who WWE fans will remember as Kharma from a WWE run that was more build than action (but that did provide us with a cool Royal Rumble moment back in 2012), has informed Japanese fans that she will not be working an upcoming show in Korakuen Hall that she was scheduled to appear in on November 25.

According to the letter published in Japanese on-line that's because she will retire at age 38. Stevens, who is much better known by the name she worked under outside of WWE, Awesome Kong, states in the announcment that doctors suggested she hang up her boots. And because she doesn't feel she can perform at the level fans expect of her, she is following their suggestion.

Kong returned to TNA, where she's probably experienced the most success with two Knockouts titles and a run with the tag belts over her three years there from 2007 - 2010, earlier this year. Reports started circulating almost immediately that she was struggling with a bad back and other ailments accumulated throughout her career. Though she still made an impression with her natural charisma and knowing how to work a compelling match - especially with frequent rival Gail Kim - her ring work was noticeably effected by whatever injuries with which she was coping.

source: camelclutchblog.com

WWE Signs Former NJPW And CMLL Star

WWE announced the following today, confirming recent reports that they were close to signing La Sombra:

Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, of Mexico City, has signed with NXT and WWE, joining the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.

Formerly known as "La Sombra," Oropeza is a third-generation luchador whose grandfather, father, uncles and cousins all competed in Mexico. Oropeza signed with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 2007 at age 17, where he trained under El Satanico. While there, he held many titles, including the CMLL Trio and Tag Team titles and the NWA Welterweight and Middleweight titles.

The WWE Performance Center's newest luchador also brings experience from Japan; Oropeza made multiple trips to Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), winning the organization's Intercontinental Championship in 2013.

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

Notes From Triple H's 'NXT TakeOver: Respect' Media Call: Finn Balor - TNA, Working With NJPW, Vince

Triple H conducted his usual NXT TakeOver media call this afternoon. You can check out several highlights below.

* Triple H was a little tardy getting to the call. He says that he was late due to wishing Bruno Sammartino a Happy Birthday.

* HHH says that the "Respect" theme for this week's TakeOver has a double meaning. It's for the women, as well as a tribute for a all of the respect the NXT roster has for the late Dusty Rhodes.

* Triple H expects this week's Sasha Bank vs. Bayley match to be better than the one in Brooklyn.

* He compares the demographic of NXT to punk rock and hip hop, and the WWE to pop music in that WWE gets a much wider demographic.

* He says he's more than open to speaking to New Japan Pro Wrestling and other promotions about bringing in talent like they did with Jushin Thunder Liger.

* HHH says that all of the Divas made the Divas revolution possible, not just one.

* Finn Balor sent Triple H the picture of him doing the "suck it" crotch chop outside TNA offices in Nashville and asked if he could post it on social media. Triple H approved because he thought it was funny and anyone who had an issue with it takes this all too seriously.

* Vince McMahon has no say about anything that goes on in NXT. He could overrule Triple H if he wanted but he never does. He claimed Vince told him he's looking forward to the Bayley vs. Banks match. Vince McMahon watched NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn and liked it.

* They debated calling the Bayley vs. Sasha Banks Iron Man match an "Iron Woman" match and Lita told them she thought it would be demeaning to do so.

* He likes the idea of Evolve as a feeder system.

Kana Comments On Her New WWE Ring Name

WWE NXT Diva Kana is now being called Asuka. The following was posted on her Twitter yesterday, which is one of the very few tweets in English she has:

Starting today, KANA will be known as ASUKA The name of ASUKA means future. Toward the future with those who never stop loving WWE! ASUKA

WWE Announces New Signing, Triple H Comments

WWE issued the following:

WWE® ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF KANA

STAMFORD, Conn., September 8, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) announced today the signing of international superstar Kanako Urai, aka Kana, to the NXT® division. Kana will officially report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida in late September.

Over the course of her 11-year career, Kana has become one of the most exciting women ever to compete in Japan. She has appeared in many organizations throughout the country and has held multiple championships. Last month, Kana made a surprise appearance at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, sitting in the audience ringside next to WWE Hall of Famer "Nature Boy" Ric Flair®.

"We are very excited to have Kana join the NXT roster," said Paul Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Creative and Live Events. "Her exciting in-ring style will make an immediate impact on the already impressive NXT women's division."

Which Wrestler Topped The 25th Annual PWI 500?, Full Top 10 Listing

The 25th annual PWI 500 is now available for download at pwi-online.com. Topping this year's list, for the first time, is WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, whose unexpected title win at WrestleMania, combined with several key victories throughout the evaluation period helped him lock down the number 1 position.

"Thanks @OfficialPWI for the number 1 spot," Rollins tweeted Thursday. "But let's be honest here...was there really ever a second option? Mwuhahahaha!!"

Rollins joins an elite group of wrestlers who have topped the PWI 500 since it debuted in 1991, including Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin and, last year's top-ranked wrestler, Daniel Bryan.

Rounding out this year's Top 10:

2. John Cena, who achieved his 12th consecutive Top 10 ranking.
3. AJ Styles
4. Roman Reigns
5. Shinsuke Nakamura
6. Randy Orton
7. Jay Briscoe
8. Rusev
9. Alberto El Patron
10. Kevin Owens

The PWI 500 is compiled each year using criteria that includes win-loss record, championships won, quality of competition, major feuds, prominence within their individual promotion(s), and overall wrestling ability. The evaluation period was from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

The print edition of the 2015 PWI 500 hits news stands on Sept. 29, but the digital edition can be downloaded now for just $3.50 at pwi-online.com.

Jushin 'Thunder' Liger On How His WWE NXT Takeover Appearance Was Signed, Tyler Breeze, More

Enuhito.com has a translation of a recent interview wrestling legend Jushin "Thunder" Liger did with the New Japan Pro Wrestling website to promote this Saturday's match against Tyler Breeze at WWE NXT "Takeover: Brooklyn."

Liger revealed that he was at a ROH show last March in Philadelphia, where NXT was running that same week and wanted to go to NXT to see Finn Balor wrestle. He had a NJPW agent contact NXT head coach Matt Bloom, the former Tensai who also wrestled in New Japan. Bloom was able to secure a seat for Liger at the NXT event in Philadelphia and he attended. It was noted that nobody recognized Liger being there because he attended without his mask on.

Liger noted that Balor worked a great match against Neville that night and thanked him for coming afterwards. A few weeks later, William Regal, Bloom and Balor called the NJPW offices and asked for Liger's e-mail address. Liger does not use a computer so NJPW put them in touch with a representative and that's how the Takeover match was made.

Liger confirmed that he's not working under a "double contract" and that his Takeover appearance is a one-time deal. Liger said he does not know much about Tyler Breeze but will be researching him. He seemed impressed when the interviewer mentioned that Breeze was trained by Lance Storm.

Finn Balor Recalls Meeting Vince McMahon for the First Time, Talks Winning the NXT Title, Dusty Rhodes’ Tutelage, HHH’s Leadership, More

WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor recently spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso to hype next week’s NXT Takeover Brooklyn special, and below are some interview highlights:

On meeting Vince McMahon for the first time:

“The first official meeting I had with Vince McMahon was in San Jose two days before WrestleMania,” said Bálor. “I was wrestling against Neville in the main forNXT San Jose. Neville had just got to the ring, and I was standing behind the curtain ready to make my entrance. I could hear Neville’s music tapering off, and I heard a call, ‘Finn! Finn!’ I turned around and it was Hunter. He said, ‘Have you met Vince?’

“So I went over and Vince’s head popped out from behind the curtain and said, ‘How are you doing, son?’ I said, ‘Hello, sir,’ and shook his hand. As I shook his hand, the heartbeat of my music started and I started, ‘That’s my cue, gotta go.’”

On Triple H’s leadership:

“With regards to what you see on TV, you’re really only seeing the tip of the iceberg with Paul Levesque,” said Bálor about the man better known to wrestling fans as Triple H. “He has been an incredible leader here for the people at NXT, and not just for me, but he has time for everyone. He motivates people and inspires. He’s someone that is very approachable, very down to earth, and full of new and alternative ideas. He’s helped me adapt to my situation, which has been very different with learning the working style of WWE and life here in America.”

On Dusty Rhodes’ tutelage:

“Dusty would say, ‘Finn, your work in the ring is up here, but you’re talking is down here – you’ve got to balance them out,’” said Bálor. “He was always very straight to the point, and we had a great relationship together. I remember him saying one time, ‘Prince, you know I heard them talking about you before you came in here, and goddamn, I thought Lou Thesz was gonna walk in that door the way they talk about your work.’ I’ll never forget that, and I was very lucky to work with Dusty. He helped me incredibly with my communication, as he called it, and I learned a lot of lessons with him. ‘The Dream’ was someone who filled me with confidence the first time I walked in the door.”

On winning the NXT Title in Japan:

“That whole night was memorable for much more than winning the NXT championship.” Said Bálor. “Japan was a place that became my second home. That venue [Sumo Hall] is where I watched my first New Japan show and wrestled my last New Japan match. It was a year after I said goodbye to so many friends, and the fans were almost like family there, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see them again.

“To come back with WWE a year later to wrestle in the NXT championship match in a sold-out Sumo Hall against Kevin Owens, who came into NXT at almost the same time as me–and we became very close, experienced a lot of the same struggles–live on the WWE Network, the story couldn’t have been written any better.

Backstage News On WWE - ROH And NJPW, The 'Major Double-Cross' With Jushin Liger, NXT Takeover

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE announcing international legend Jushin "Thunder" Liger for the August 22nd NXT Takeover event in Brooklyn has opened up a "political hornets nest" due to Liger being a New Japan Pro Wrestling talent and NJPW being a partner of Ring of Honor, which runs head-to-head with NXT in the same city that night, with a show also features NJPW stars.

ROH reportedly sold 1,100 tickets for their Field of Honor show that night, a number they were happy with. They were expecting 2,000 tickets sold but The Observer notes that ticket sales stalled once WWE announced Takeover. Ticket sales also reportedly stalled for Jim Ross' "Ringside" one-man show, which takes place in nearby Manhattan. It was noted that any talks there would have been about moving shows to the afternoon to avoid head-to-head competition were decided against, but it wasn't specified which company decided against making a move. WWE actually canceled a live event in White Plains, NY that night to avoid splitting their audience.

We've noted how there are moves being made behind-the-scenes in WWE that relate to ROH. WWE has reportedly contacted at least one venue that ROH uses with the idea that WWE will run them if they no longer book ROH.

WWE booking Liger could be the start of a relationship between NJPW and WWE, who hasn't officially worked with any groups in Japan for years. ROH was not aware of Liger being booked for Takeover until the news broke and The Observer notes that even by pro wrestling standards, the booking is a major double-cross. It should be noted that Liger is able to book himself anywhere but NJPW is promoting the NXT appearance.