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Wrestling News Media
Nick Aldis on wrestling for WWE: 'I'll cross that bridge if I come to it' Aldis isn't closing the door on competing in a WWE ring - January 2024
Though he's having a blast in his current role, Nick Aldis isn't ruling out the possibility of wrestling in WWE.
Aldis joined WWE as a producer last summer and has now been working as an on-screen character for three months. He was introduced as the new SmackDown general manager on October 13.
Aldis has been involved in a power struggle with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline on WWE television, leading some fans to speculate that a Reigns vs. Aldis match could happen one day. Aldis told the Daily Mail that he's grateful for the fans who want to see him compete in a WWE ring. Aldis is fully committed to his GM role right now but believes that anything is possible in WWE.
Anything is possible in the WWE. I deeply appreciate all of the fans who keep me alive in that regard, who want to see me in the ring with this person or that person. Since my interaction with Roman, that started a whole different conversation in that regard.
I'm just grateful that there's an interest in it. At the same time, I'm fully committed to being the best general manager of all time, so I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.
When Aldis departed the NWA, he knew that he wanted to end up with some kind of a job in WWE. Aldis wanted the chance to contribute in the big leagues.
I've been having a blast. I've come in blessed with the gift of managed expectations. I had sort of made peace with the idea that maybe WWE was never going to be on the cards for me at all. So I certainly have come in with a level of gratitude that I perhaps wouldn't have had as a guy in his 20s.
I came in on a on a day rate, try out as a producer behind the scenes, which I, again, had fully made peace with the idea of if that's going to be my job, then that's going to be my job, and I'll do that job to the best of my ability, because I decided that at this point in my life and my career, I wanted to contribute to the big leagues.
That may be because I put in my 10,000 hours, I felt like I had done enough and had enough experience, enough expertise and my own unique sort of philosophy and my own track record of success in the wrestling business that I was ready to work at the top level. I felt one way or another that my skill set as a professional was best suited to be contributing to the number one company.
I finished up with the NWA. And at that time, I decided that if there was any kind of opportunity whatsoever with WWE, that was where I wanted to be. I felt like I'd done everything I could do at a place with limited resources and just decided one way or another that I wanted a chance to contribute there.
Aldis was a two-time Worlds Heavyweight Champion while with the NWA. He's also a former TNA World Champion.
On SmackDown two weeks ago, Aldis announced that Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble. Aldis made the announcement after The Bloodline disrupted an Orton vs. Knight vs. Styles number one contender's match.
Nic Nemeth On Why He Chose To Confront Moose at TNA Hard to Kill
n an interview for TNA’s Instagram (via Fightful), Nic Nemeth explained why he chose to confront Moose for his TNA debut at this past Saturday’s Hard to Kill PPV. Nemeth will appear on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV to explain his actions.
He said: “I wasn’t focused on Moose [at TNA Hard To Kill], and I wasn’t even focused on the championship, which I have thought about non-stop for a long time. Like I said, I go, where can I pinpoint the moment where people will make it the most memorable? I did 20 years in one company. I get one chance to make a second impression here on the world. That will be the biggest possible moment and the most talked-about, I think. I really think that helps myself and the company. I didn’t have a plan. Moose is in my target, I got him. I was watching that title match going, whoever wins, I’m sliding in there and going, ‘Here I am, let’s go.’ So I don’t exactly know what my focus is, other than, I have earned everything that I’ve worked for, to a point where I go, I don’t want to stroll in here and be like, ‘Hey, I showed up through the crowd so you gotta give me a title shot,’ or, ‘I’m famous, so I get a ….’ No, I wanted to make my mark there, and now I focus on, where can I fit in? Where can I start building blocks to make myself to where I’m not presenting it, but the world goes, this should be the number one contender, and here’s why. Then, when that happens, I’ll know that I’ll be able to sleep at night going, I have proven myself worthy of a title shot. Okay, now let’s focus on the champion. No, I’m not hand-picking anything: I’m here, and I said, I am lucky to be here, I’m happy to be here. If I get some more eyes on TNA, hell yeah, that rocks. Let me know where I start, and I’m coming in with my lunchbox and ready to go. I’m gonna prove it in the ring every single night that says, we need to do something else. We need to get this guy in the title picture, he has earned it. But I gotta put in the time first and the effort. I’m not all show and all talk. I’m gonna earn it, but I want the TNA locker room and the audience to be going, this is the guy. He deserves a shot. Not me walking in and saying, ‘Hey, give me a shot.’ Hell no. I would never do it that way the rest of my life. There’s no way I’ll do it now. I want to make this count. I want it to be special.“
TNA Wrestling: TNA Champion Moose Says TNA Wrestling now in "Hot Spot" - 18th January 2024
"Even though he took me out, which I'm going to get mine back when the time is right, but let's leave that alone. Talking about Nic coming into the company, I think it's huge for TNA. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of his. He's a superstar. He's done everything in professional wrestling, he's been World Champion, he's been a tag team guy, he's won every single title you can think about. He's been all over the world. He has a huge buzz going right now. For him to pick TNA over AEW and New Japan or any other company, that shows that TNA is a hot spot right now. I'm happy he's part of the team, I'm happy I get to do something down the road with him. I'm happy that TNA is starting to be a spot where people want to come. Same thing with Ash By Elegance, her picking us over other companies out there, I'm happy she is part of the team and I can't wait to see what the future brings with Nic and Ash.”
Kazuchika Okada to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling - January 19, 2024
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the conclusion of his contract on January 31 2024.
We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future.
As the New Beginning series begins this weekend, Okada will appear on February dates on February 11 in Osaka, and February 23 and 24 in Sapporo. Changes will be made to forthcoming cards with an announcement to follow.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support.
Kazuchika Okada statement:
I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today. Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.
WWE
SmackDown preview, Jan. 19, 2024: Huge Contract Signing for Royal Rumble set
Don't miss SmackDown, this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!
Next week on SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles will be in the ring to sign the contract for their monumental title match at Royal Rumble.
The last time all four men shared the ring, utter bedlam erupted as The Bloodline attacked Styles, Orton and Knight while they were competing in a Triple Threat Match to determine who would challenge Reigns at Royal Rumble.
What will happen when these four dynamic Superstars participate in what seems certain to be a volatile contract signing?
Don’t miss SmackDown, next week at 8/7 C on FOX!
"The Kevin Owens Show" to welcome U.S Champ Logan Paul
A special edition of "The Kevin Owens Show" is coming to Friday Night SmackDown as the No. 1 Contender to the United States Title welcomes the champion, Logan Paul.
Owens earned the right to face The Maverick after winning the United States Title Tournament by defeating Santos Escobar in the finals, a result that clearly bothered Paul.
The last time the two Superstars came face-to-face, Owens knocked out the champion with a brutal punch from his casted right hand, so there's no telling what will happen they meet again live on Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!
The LWO to take on Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in Six-Man Tag Team action
Carlito, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro will represent The LWO against their bitter rivals Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
Since Escobar turned his back on The LWO, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, Carlito, Wilde and Del Toro have been waiting for their chance at payback, and it will finally come on Friday Night SmackDown.
With the numbers not in his favor, Escobar brought Angel and Humberto from NXT to form Legado World Order.
Don't miss this Six-Man Tag Team Match live on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX!
(WWE)
Wrestler Grayson Waller’s defiant response to Sunrise controversy - January 19th, 2024
An Aussie wrestler isn’t backing down after he caused chaos live on Sunrise this week, threatening to punch a crew member.
By Nick Bond
Australian wrestling champ Grayson Waller has shared a simple public response to the controversy over his chaotic appearance on Sunrise earlier this week.
Waller was appearing on Tuesday’s episode of Sunrise alongside US wrestler LA Knight, and lost his temper when hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Doran attempted to goad them into showing off some of their moves on a willing crew member.
“I don’t think you understand – if I come over there right now, we’re going to have the police here, cos I’m not going to give you some fake punch. I’m going to punch you straight in the jaw,” Waller said, as Doran struggled to contain him while the crew member quickly scarpered from the set.
To the average viewer, it was a shocking outburst – but as the clip circulated online, wrestling fans were quick to praise Waller. They insisted his trash-talk had actually diffused the situation, and was a better option than what the Sunrise hosts were suggesting he do: Potentially hurt a member of their staff.
Waller posted a photo to his Twitter account yesterday that would’ve been cryptic to many, but one that meant something to wrestling fans:
The photo in question is from an infamous 1988 encounter between wrestler David Schultz and reporter John Stossel, who was at the time working on an ‘expose’ on the world of professional wrestling.
“I think this is fake,” Stossel told the wrestler, which got an immediate – and violent – response.
‘You think this is fake?” Schultz asked, before smacking the reporter across the face, leaving him cowering on the ground.
“You think that’s fake? What the hell’s wrong with you? That’s an open-hand slap, huh?”
Schultz continued, before walloping Stossel again, leaving him to flee down the corridor.
The wrestling faithful knew exactly what Waller was referencing just from the screenshot of Schultz – and applauded him for standing his ground on Sunrise.
“That was awesome. Good on you for sticking up for wrestling. They were totally disrespectful,” wrote one follower.
“I saw you in a different light today, Grayson. Good on you,” said another.
“My respect for you has risen tenfold,” another fan tweeted.
After footage of Waller’s outburst went viral on social media – one clip alone has been viewed more than 1.5 million times – fans praised him his respect for “kayfabe”, a wrestling term used to describe the convention of presenting staged performances as genuine or authentic.
“That was absolutely f**king brilliant from Waller there. He protected kayfabe, he protected Knight. He was so sharp and on the ball. I was already a fan of his but my respect for him just grew a lot from this,” gushed one fan.
Waller’s face might be familiar to reality TV fans: He was a controversial contestant on the 2019 season of Australian Survivor, where he proved divisive among his fellow contestants and viewers due to his aggressive nature in challenges.
Teammate and former AFL player Abby Holmes dubbed him an “actual idiot,” but Farrelly, who is also a high school teacher when he’s not wrestling, soon embraced the epithet, selling “ACTUAL IDIOT” T-shirts at his wrestling matches.
“I had a feeling that most of my airtime was probably going to be me yelling and screaming, and I’m OK with that,” he told news.com.au after his elimination from the show.
(News Corp)
