There is very sad news to report as Bellator fighter Jordan Parsons, the recent victim of a hit-and-run incident, passed away earlier Wednesday. Parsons had his leg amputated a few days ago after the accident, and was in critical condition.
Bellator promoter Scott Coker released this statement:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a dear member of the Bellator family, Jordan Parsons. Jordan was an exceptional athlete and a rising star in the sport. But more importantly, he was an exceptional young man. Jordan was hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, and a pleasure to be around. He represented all the reasons we love this sport. It is a terribly tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates.
We echo those sentiments. Local police are attempting to do anything they can to find the person(s) responsible.
THE ROUNDUP
Bellator fighter Jordan Parsons dies after hit and run incident
Smackdown taping results: Even Steven night, Raw rematches
Ryback reveals details on contract situation & what is really bothering him
Raw ratings up for first show of the supposed NEW ERA
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku results: Super Juniors lineups; IWGP champ Naito vs. Ishii
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Figure Four Weekly 5/2/2016: Hulk Hogan suing Gawker – Hulk Hogan is suing Gawker a second time, this time for leaking the contents of sealed documents to the tabloids. Find out all the details in this weeks issue of Figure Four Weekly.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
READ IT HERE: The death of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor and UFC
The life and career of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and the saga of Conor McGregor out of UFC 200 and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier as the new main event are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is also an update the TNA situation, with tons of notes on the future of TNA and Lucha Underground and one of the best wrestlers in the world joins ROH.
The lead story looks at the life of Joanie Laurer. The story examines the circumstances of her death, the publicity it received, the media coverage that never looked past the surface and was almost totally lacking context regarding her role in wrestling, and her post wrestling life. The story also looks at her start in pro wrestling, how she got into WWE, her role in the ascension of HHH to the top of the card, how she was booked, how the relationship with HHH benefited her, and just how hot pro wrestling was during that time period.
A look back at her IC title win and the back story, and why her title reign was so short along with a look at her run with Eddy Guerrero, doing Playboy, her departure from WWE, why she never lost the women’s title, her most-watched match of her career and it wasn’t in WWE, the attempt to make her a star in Japan, the WWE Hall of Fame and her life after wrestling, all in this issue.
This issue examines how Conor McGregor managed to get himself off the biggest UFC event of the year, how his strategy backfired, the UFC press conferences, the new Cormier vs. Jones fight, business notes for UFC 200 as well as a rundown of UFC 197, with all the business news, match-by-match coverage, pay records and poll results.
In this issue, there is a look at the upcoming Payback show, notes about the angle for power, the NXT title change, the return of John Cena, Bret Hart talks return to WWE, update on WWE Board of Directors, update on the concussion lawsuits and counter suits, WWE trying to make moves to Japan, WWE with new movie partnership, WWE wins awards and the update on the Global cruiserweight series. Finally, there is also a look at the Adam Rose suspension, a new WWE book, plus details on all the NXT shows over the past week as well as the complete WWE European tour.
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All the news from the ESPN coverage of the drug deaths in professional wrestling, and more will be in the latest back issue.
Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: March 29, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ESPN program on drug deaths in the pro wrestling industry, ECW Living Dangerously review, more. There is also a full break down of ECW’s Living Dangerously PPV, plus tons of news and notes.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
On a day when WWE talent was being open and honest, Adam Rose tweeted the letter and a statement Tuesday that his doctor gave him which gave him clearance to take Adderall.
Ryan “Ryback” Reeves revealed what was bothering him in a huge Tumblr post yesterday. Basically, he feels that being a job guy should pay the same as being a top guy. He shared his thoughts on PPV and merch payouts, saying that no matter who wins or loses, all WWE performers spend an equal amount of time away from home, traveling, make the same sacrifices, take the same physical risks, and should be compensated equally.
UFC strawweight Paige VanZant and her partner Mark Ballas survived a double elimination night, advancing to the final six on Season 22 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. The duo is actually the favorite to win after an excellent performance to “Soul Bossa Nova” by Quincy Jones, the theme song from the Austin Powers movie. There’s even rumors of her dating a dancer on the show.
In UFC news, Jon Tuck will now face Josh Emmett this Sunday instead of Nick Hein, after an injury to Nein forced him out. Airing from Rotterdam, the show can bee seen live this Sunday in the morning in the U.S., headlined by Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski.
WWE and Pro Wrestling
UK fans will be able to catch SmackDown! on Thursdays from May 26th.
The Young Bucks did some media for this weekend’s Global Wars events as well as some New Japan chatter.
Indie worker Austin Bradley was also on a podcast.
UFC and Mixed Martial Arts
Daniel Cormier broke his sparring partner’s hand with his rock hard head. GLORY heavyweight champion Chi Lewis Parry is no longer fighting Guto Inocente on a Fight Pass/GLORY show after a sparring accident with friend and UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Parry landed a punch to the head of DC and broke his hand, knocking him out of the fight. Parry has this message for Jones: “It’s no secret I don’t like Jones, but I can tell you that there’s not many people who can take a clean left from me and stay on their feet. Cormier did that,” Parry said. “We’ve had some really hard sparring this last week, and DC is really, really tough and motivated to beat Jones in this fight.”
ONE Championships has a big show on Friday morning from Singapore. Angela Lee, the 19 year old Canadian-born fighter who now lives in Singapore and has real superstar potential, will take on Mei Yamaguchi for the inaugural ONE strawweight championship in the main event. Her 17 year old brother Christian also fights on the undercard and he’s had early finishes in each of his first 3 pro fights. Former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Roger Gracie takes on unbeaten Michal Pasternak for the vacant light heavyweight title in the co-main. The show is available via iPPV for $9.99.
Just added to the UFC on FOX 20 show in July from Chicago is a bantamweight fight between former WEC champ Eddie Wineland and rising contender Frankie Saenz.
Bellator MMA yesterday announced the signing of 3 time All-American Jarod Trice to a multi-year, multi-fight contract. He wrestled as high as 265 lbs in college but will be looking to fight at 205 when he makes his pro debut for Bellator.
Miscellaneous
5/6 Evolve in Baltimore
5/6 AAW in Merrionette Park, IL, featuring Sami Callihan vs. Ciampa, Pentagon Jr. vs. Fenix, Michael Elgin vs. Matt Cage, Moose, Silas Young, AR Fox, Donovan Dijak, Kimber Lee, and tons more.
5/6 Dem Great North Wrestling in Ottawa, Canada
5/7 Evolve in Queens at La Boom
5/7 UWC in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Bar and Banquet Hall.
5/7 CHIKARA in Philadelphia at the Wrestle Factory.
5/7 Hoosier Pro Wrestling in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
5/6 Great North Wrestling in Ottawa at the Earl Armstrong Arena with Demolition (Bill Eadie & Barry Darsow)
5/7 in Kingston, ONT at the Cataraqui Community Arena with Demolition
5/8 Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling present Global Wars, live on PPV, Sat Frontier Fieldhouse, 9807 Sayre Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
5/9 Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling present War of the Worlds Tour, at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126
ROH will be taping television at the 5/11 show in Toronto which features Kenny Omega.
5/14 Grand Slam Wrestling in Moosic, PA at the Youth Center.
5/14 XICW runs at the Imperial House in Clinton Township featuring Abyss & Crazzy Steve, Rockstar Spud, Zach Gowen, Zahra Schreiber, plus more.
5/15 XICW runs on at The Ritz in Warren, MI featuring Alex Shelley, Kongo Kong, Tyson Dux, Crazzy Steve, plus Abyss in a Monster’s Ball match.
5/21 MCPW runs on at the Kaliseum in Kalkaska, MI featuring Rhino, Zach Gowen, Flip Kendrick, and CBS Amazing Race 26 competitor Mikey Zeroe in a cage match.
5/21 Ric Flair will appear in Williamsport, PA at the Liberty Arena for Billtown Championship Wrestling.
5/27 – 5/28 AIW presents the J.T. Lighting Invitational tournament 2016, a 24 person tournament in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Homicide, Dan Severn, Tim Donst, Raymond Rowe, Louis Lyndon, Tyson Dux, Tracy Williams, DJ Zema Ion, Colin Delaney, Cheech, Big Damo from Europe and Laredo Kid from Mexico.
6/4 in Smiths Falls, ONT at the Smith Falls Memorial Centre with Al Snow who will also be doing a seminar on 6/4 at 2 p.m. at the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre.
6/11 Smash Wrestling in Oshawa, ONT at the Harmony Creek Community and Events Centre.
6/25 in Pembroke, ONT at the Memorial Centre with Nikolai Volkoff
Today in professional wrestling history: Daily Pro Wrestling History (5/4): Rock battles Shane McMahon & Triple H
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