Today’s wrestling news roundup is a big one. Stories today feature wrestlers returning from injury, The Rock covering up the Brahma Bull tattoo, Eva Marie explaining her WWE release, and the WWE Network launching in China.
Gail Kim Returns to Action After Injury
One of the most important figures in women’s wrestling today, Gail Kim, has officially returned to injury and has her first match slated. At Wrestlefest 8, an independent wrestling show featuring stars from all over the indie circuit, Global Force Wrestling, and Lucha Underground, Kim will go one-on-one with Lucha Underground’s Taya [Valkyrie] for the first time ever. Both of these women are incredible in-ring talents, so the fans in attendance should get a great show.
Wrestlefest 8 takes place tomorrow (August 12, 2017) in Romeoville, Illinois. For those interested in attending, General Admission tickets are still available online and at the door.
Darren Young Cleared to Return
Just a few days ago, there was a lot of news surrounding WWE Superstars getting injured, so it is nice to see the opposite happening today. Back in February, Darren Young was sidelined from an elbow injury. According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, the WWE medical staff have cleared Young to return to the ring, so he could essentially be on TV whenever WWE wants him to be. He was last seen being managed by Bob Backlund, but Young would be a great addition to Titus Worldwide, reuniting with his former co-Tag Team Champion, Titus O’Neil.
Eva Marie Explains Her WWE Release
On Diva Dirt, there is a quote from Eva Marie explaining her release from WWE:
I have such a great relationship with Vince [McMahon], Paul [“Triple H” Levesque] and Stephanie [McMahon]. They gave me an opportunity to step away and film these two films I have done already, and you never know when that relationship will come back. So I might appear at a SummerSlam or WrestleMania. It just so happens that the wrestling craft, you have to be able to give yourself 110 percent to that. And then with acting, you have to do the same, so we decided together that with the films going back to back. I’m going to put my efforts into acting and growing that way. And then you never know: All Red Everything could come back and snatch that title.
It seems like Marie just wants to focus on her acting career right now, but as she says, the return to wrestling could happen at any time. So, if you are somebody who was upset at the loss of All Red Everything, there is still a glimmer of hope for her to return to the ring.
The Rock Covers Up Iconic Tattoo
When The Rock was a full-time WWE Superstar, he had a bull tattooed on his arm that was used for most of his merchandise, including when he partnered with Under Armor. After leaving WWE, changing, and evolving his career, The Rock decided to cover up the tattoo with something new. Dwayne Johnson posted on his Instagram account today a picture of the new, and very intricate, tattoo. Although the iconic image is no longer there, it is sort of an evolution of the bull icon, and as long as Johnson likes it, it is all that matters.
GLOW Renewed For Season 2
This year, Netflix released GLOW, a fictional drama series based on a real-world female wrestling promotion from the 1980s. It was very well-received for its incredible characters and writing, and the finale for its debut season led to fans wanting more. Thankfully, fans will be getting what they want because Netflix confirmed on Twitter that the eccentric wrestling show will be getting a second season. If it’s anything like the first, it is definitely worth checking out.
WWE Network Launches in China
Some may forget that WWE is a worldwide company, but the huge wrestling company has been making big strides in expanding its appeal throughout the entire world. For the entire summer, the WWE Championship -the title that specifically represents the company- has been on the shoulders of Jinder Mahal, the first Indian WWE Champion representing a nation of over a billion people. Now, WWE helps expand its reach to a billion other people.
Beginning Friday, August 18, the WWE Network will be available in China. This is an incredible opportunity for WWE to gain revenue. After recently signing a class of Chinese recruits to the WWE Performance Center, this hits just in time for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III and SummerSlam. While nothing has been said about TakeOver, WWE has confirmed that SummerSlam will be broadcast live in Mandarin.
