Update On Chris Jericho Signing With AEW, Removed From WWE Intro, Still Working NJPW?

Chris Jericho signing with All Elite Wrestling looked to be right down to the wire as he had been in talks with WWE in the last few weeks, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Jericho noted yesterday that he is staying with AEW for the "long haul" and that he was looking forward to "changing the universe" with the new promotion. Some are viewing the "changing the universe" as a slight dig at WWE. 

WWE have reacted to Jericho's signing by moving him to the alumni section of their website and also removing him from the opening "THEN NOW FOREVER" intro which airs before the beginning of all WWE programming.  

His contract with AEW is not believed to be an exclusive one and will be free to work NJPW dates should they be able to come to an agreement.

CM Punk Wants Colt Cabana's Lawsuit Dismissed

CM Punk has filed a motion to have the lawsuit filed against him by Colt Cabana dismissed. 

Cabana filed a lawsuit back in the summer of 2018 which claimed Punk promised he would be covered fully in terms of legal fees in the lawsuit filed by WWE's Chris Amann. Punk, however, demanded payment from Cabana for legal fees and resulted in Cabana ultimately having to hire his own attorney and suffered $200,000 in legal fees that Punk refused to pay.

Punk's legal team are claiming that Cabana has failed to use factual allegations in his lawsuit and "conclusory allegations" will not stand up legally in the state of Illinois.

Cabana’s lawyers have until January 25th to respond to the motion to dismiss, and Punk’s team would then have until February 9th to respond. A status conference is set for February 20th.

All Elite Wrestling To Offer Wrestlers Lighter Schedules And Healthcare Packages

AEW President Tony Khan was interviewed during the Double Or Nothing Rally yesterday by WrestlingInc. and revealed how All Elite Wrestling will be different from other promotion in that they want their talent to work lighter scheduled and offer a healthcare package. 

“And also favorable schedules, and I don’t wanna run down guys with too many dates or too much time on the road, I feel really positive about what we’re doing in terms of taking care of the guys. We have great management and the guys we’re focusing it on, Cody and the Bucks, they are very, very hands on with the talent. And I’m sure, for us, the kind of people we’re bringing in, they’re gonna contribute to the company in a number of ways. And I think that, yeah, there is a package, a competition package and healthcare package that could be available.”

WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund passes away

From WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76.

“Mean Gene,” as he was named by fellow Minnesotan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, first came to prominence as an interviewer in the American Wrestling Association. In 1984, Okerlund made the move to WWE where he became as recognizable as the Superstars he asked the tough questions to, including “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and, perhaps Okerlund's greatest guest, Hulk Hogan. Countless Hulkster interviews included the indelible phrase, "Well you know something 'Mean' Gene!" 

As the respected and reliable man behind the microphone in WWE, Okerlund branched out from interviewing and provided ringside commentary and hosted several shows, including All-American Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, Wrestling Challenge and Prime Time Wrestling.

Announcing wasn't all that Okerlund could do with a microphone, as he performed the National Anthem at the first WrestleMania in 1985. Later that year, Okerlund would sing “Tutti Frutti” on WWE’s The Wrestling Album.

In 1993, Okerlund joined WCW where he continued to interview many of the legends he had worked with in the AWA and WWE, as well as WCW stalwarts like Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Goldberg and others.

Okerlund returned to WWE in 2001 to call the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17 along with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and continued to appear on WWE television programming, including as a cast member on WWE Network’s Legends’ House.

WWE extends its condolences to Okerlund’s family, friends and fans.

Cody Rhodes Releases Statement On All Elite Wrestling

Cody Rhodes has confirmed his Executive Vice President role within All Elite Wrestling, and released a statement for the fans about the exciting new promotion.

Read the full statement below:


I feel so damn lucky. I believe that more than talent…more than chance…work ethic will guide me where I’d like to go.

To be Executive Vice President for our new venture, and to be flanked by Matt and Nick and a few familiar names sharing that position: this is my dream job.

I can’t think of a time when so many of wrestling’s top free agents all opted out of the road usually traveled and instead wanted to start something new. I am excited to see AEW into existence.

What’s old isn’t new – what’s new is new. Perception isn’t reality – reality is reality. Fans first.

Full List Of CBS Sports Pro Wrestling 2018 Award Winners

Wrestler of the Year: Becky Lynch (WWE)

WWE Male Wrestler of the Year: Johnny Gargano

NJPW Wrestler of the Year: Kota Ibushi

Match of the Year: Kenny Omega def. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW Dominion 6.9)

WWE Match of the Year: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (TLC)

NXT Match of the Year: Andrade "Cien" Almas def. Johnny Gargano (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)

Tag Team of the Year: The Usos (WWE)

Rookie of the Year: Ronda Rousey (WWE)

Commentator of the Year: Mauro Ranallo (NXT)

Comeback Wrestler of the Year: Daniel Bryan (WWE)

Breakthough Wrestler of the Year*: Buddy Murphy (205 Live)

Feud of the Year*: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa (NXT)

Best Pay-Per-View of the Year*: TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs

Best Moment of the Year*: Becky Lynch attacks Ronda Rousey on Raw

Best Promo of the Year*: Daniel Bryan before TLC
Smack Talker of the Year*: Samoa Joe

Worst Angle of the Year*: DeGeneration X vs. Brothers of Destruction

Vince McMahon: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Coming In 2019

Good news for those clamoring for a women’s tag team belt in WWE. Vince McMahon announced that they are planning on introducing a new Women’s Tag Team Championship.

Impact Wrestling Moving From POP TV In January

Impact Wrestling announced today that its flagship weekly two-hour program, IMPACT!, will move to Friday nights on the Pursuit Channel in January. As noted, SmackDown Live will also begin airing on Friday nights when it moves to FOX this October, while MLW FUSION also currently airs on Friday nights on beIN Sports.

Beginning on Friday, January 11, featuring the aftermath of the Homecoming pay-per-view, IMPACT! will air weekly on Pursuit Channel on Friday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET.

"Pursuit Channel is a natural fit for IMPACT!" said Impact Wrestling President Ed Nordholm. "It has a passionate viewership base that correlates strongly with our core audience, and is one of the few broadcast destinations that is expanding its footprint, enjoying a 15% increase in broadcast distribution this year alone. With IMPACT Wrestling coming off a tremendous year of audience growth globally and positive fan engagement, we look forward to leveraging our respective resources to bring fans more of the wrestling content they want to see: tougher, edgier action."

How Did $5 Million Of Vince McMahon's Money Wind Up In The Trump Foundation?

USA Touts WWE Success

The USA Network issued the following press release today, touting their successful 2018 as the #1 overall cable entertainment network in total viewers for the 13th year, which is the longest streak in TV history. They also touted finishing the year as the #1 cable entertainment network for the 18-49 demographic for the second year in a row. USA mentioned the success of WWE's RAW and SmackDown shows, and the success of the Miz & Mrs. series with The Miz and Maryse.

"GLOW" Comic Book

Netflix's GLOW wrestling show will be a four-issue comic series with IDW Publishing, according to Hollywood Reporter. The comic book will be an original story from the series and is scheduled to debut in March. While a date is still unknown, GLOW is scheduled to have a third season.

Vince McMahon And Triple H: The Fans Are Now The Authority

As promised, Vince McMahon graced Monday Night RAW with his presence tonight. He opened by saying that he can no longer do the show all by himself, and so he brought out his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, her husband, Triple H, and his son, Shane McMahon.

Stephanie opened by saying that “they haven’t been doing a good job lately” and that they haven’t been listening to the audience. However, that it was all going to change. “The days of absentee management is over,” said Triple H. “The four of us will be taking back Monday Night RAW.” Shane then went on to echo the same sentiment for SmackDown.

“We’re going to give fans what they want,” stated Triple H. “Something new. Something fresh. In the coming months you’ll be seeing new faces, fresh match-ups, and more of what you want. You are the authority.”