If any of the quotes from the following podcasts or video interviews are used, please credit those sources and provide an H/T and link back to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
** Prior to part two of Chris Benoit’s Dark Side of the Ring episode airing on VICE, David Benoit joined Bully Ray and David LaGreca on Busted Open Radio. David Benoit stated that he did not want Matthew Randazzo in the documentary. Matthew is the man who wrote the book ‘Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & The Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry’.
“They [ran] things by me but that’s one I didn’t expect… it bothered me a lot. I didn’t expect to see those pictures, I guess you could say, and what’s his name? He’s on the show. I didn’t want him on there but you know… I think his name is Matthew [Randazzo]. He wrote a book about my dad [Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & The Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry].”
David spoke about how he felt after the documentary wrapped up. He said he let 13 years of feelings out during that documentary and felt like a new person after he let everything out.
“I let 13 years of pain go away when I sat there in front of that camera. I let it all out and I felt like a new man. I got to select everyone I wanted so, Dean, Chris [Jericho], Vickie. Those were the main people I picked so…”
During the chat, David opened up about returning to WWE for the first time since the loss of his family. He said he got back into wrestling to support Natalya and Chris Jericho and the likes of Kalisto and Sasha Banks caught his eyes while he was getting back into the sport.
“Yeah, I fell out of wrestling for a couple of years. I went back in 2011, to WWE for the first time and I saw Vince for the first time too, and then I fell — I didn’t really watch it. I watched it for Natalya and Chris [Jericho] and some of the other guys like Kalisto, Sasha Banks, and then I fell in love with AEW when I first went to their show Double Or Nothing in Vegas. I got lost in the moment with all the storytelling and everything was just good. It reminded me of the old days.”
** On the latest episode of The Bellas Podcast, both Nikki and Brie Bella talked about how the Coronavirus outbreak has impacted their professional and personal lives. Brie and Nikki were mapping out a live podcast tour but that had to be postponed. Brie did express her concerns for the health of Daniel Bryan who’s in Orlando, Florida filming SmackDown and WrestleMania 36 with WWE. Brie revealed that Bryan has an autoimmune disease and is glad he’s still employed but she’s still concerned about him.
“But, I have to say, my husband is still working and he’s in Orlando right now and granted he’s working, he has a job but it makes me really nervous. My husband has an autoimmune disease. He also fought asthma really bad when he was young. He was always sick when he was a kid and I’ll admit, I lost sleep last night. I was kind of like, ‘Mhm, I’m grateful my husband is still employed, but at the same time I’m really scared that he’s just out there.’ I just pray so much for him that he stays healthy and all that but it’s like this weird tug of war.”
Brie said that Daniel Bryan will be quarantined when he returns home and he’ll be checked for symptoms of Coronavirus. Brie is currently pregnant with she and Bryan’s second child. Brie said it could be weeks before she physically sees Bryan again but is thankful for the high level of technology that’ll allow them to virtually see one another.
“And I feel bad because he’s over there and when he comes home, we’re gonna have him be put up in a hotel and our Naturopath, Dr. Jane, he’s gonna kind of work with Bryan to see if we see symptoms before he comes home to Bird and I. That could be weeks, and when he left yesterday or the day before, I was just like, ‘It could be three weeks until I see you’ and it’s just sad but thank goodness for technology, FaceTime and all that.”
** Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings announced a stay-at-home executive order that will go into effect on Thursday at 11 PM EST. WWE is set to wrap up their WrestleMania 36 tapings on Thursday. The stay-at-home order will be in effect for two weeks until April 9th. There are now 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, Florida.
** AEW announced that Brodie Lee will be making his in-ring debut on Dynamite tonight.
** Joel Redman, Lucas Steele and Davey Boy Smith Jr. will not be competing in this year’s All Japan Pro Wrestling ‘Champion Carnival’ tournament due to travel issues relating to Coronavirus.
** John Pollock has an interview up on the site with Jeff Marek about Chris Benoit’s Dark Side of the Ring episode. Marek worked closely with Benoit through his website and had a friendship with Benoit that lasted for many years.
** WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon entered into a prepaid forward contract covering about 3.5M shares of Class B common stock.
** The National Wrestling Alliance uploaded their ‘Pop Up’ show from January of 2019 to their YouTube channel that was headlined by Nick Aldis defending the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against James Storm.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=encEBRB12Xs[/embedyt]
** Coming out of the 3/24/20 episode of IMPACT Wrestling, it was announced that on next week’s show, Josh Alexander is taking on Eddie Edwards, Moose is set to speak, Sami Callihan will address the company and there will be a home-based interview with Rich Swann who underwent surgery in January. Immediately following next week’s IMPACT, the company is presenting a ‘TNA One Night Only’ special featuring Scott Steiner speaking to the audience, a singles match between Rhino and Madman Fulton, Hernandez returning to IMPACT for a match against Chase Stevens and also, Kid Kash and Johnny Swinger are taking on Suicide and Manik. Dave Penzer will be calling the action with Scott D’Amore.
** UFC President Dana White chatted with Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole for an exclusive interview. In regard to the Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson UFC 249 fight that is set for April 18th, White said he expects to make an announcement regarding the location for that fight this week. He also stated that UFC will continue on with their regular schedule following UFC 249.
“So the fights that were rescheduled, I need to knock them out. I need to get those fights — squeeze them in somewhere and get them done, and then yes, we will resume our regular schedule, and listen, they might be with no crowd, they might be somewhere else, they might not be where we’re scheduled to be. I don’t know how this is all gonna play out over the next several months, but these fights are gonna happen and I will have them.”
** NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis did a Q&A over NWA’s official YouTube channel and he was asked who’s his favorite NWA Worlds Champion of all-time and it came down to Ric Flair and Harley Race.
“Flair. I think it’s a toss-up between Flair and Harley Race. I think Harley Race conveyed the seriousness of what a world champion should be in the sense of like when he walked in a room, people went, ‘Yes sir, no sir. That’s the world champ. It’s Harley Race.’ But I think Flair, he had a way of making it feel like it was a big deal and he made everybody that he wrestled and that’s what a champion in my opinion is supposed to do. By the time the bell’s rung at the end of the match with Ric Flair, that guy in the ring was a bigger star. Flair elevated and you could say the same about Harley but I think Flair, when you combine that with Flair’s ability to speak, I mean his promos were second to none, the way he presented himself. He just took everything to another level. Plus, Flair, I think changed the business. In terms of the in-ring product overall when you look back at Flair, and then look ahead to what all wrestling became, I think Flair changed the business more than any other wrestler single-handedly in history.”
** Following the March 24th episode of AEW Dynamite, Taz is going live on the company’s YouTube channel for a recap of the show.
** Below is the latest episode of AEW Dark and it features a match between Jake Hager and Joe Alonzo. Jon Cruz & Matt Sells (w/ Skylar Moore) teamed up to take on QT Marshall & Dustin Rhodes (w/ Brandi Rhodes). Also, Shawn Spears & Robert Anthony (w/ Tully Blanchard) faced S.C.U. (Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels). Suge D took on Kip Sabian, Brandon Cutler took on Colt Cabana and the main event of the program saw Corey Hollis & Mike Reed vs. Sonny Kiss & Joey Janela.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSfMYj439ZI[/embedyt]
** Here’s the newest upload to Matt Hardy’s YouTube channel:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSVRXSL9lFU[/embedyt]
** New Japan Pro-Wrestling uploaded a new teaser to their official English YouTube channel for their Wrestle Dynasty show that is set for August 22nd at Madison Square Garden.
** SuperSport posted their interview with Drew McIntyre.
** E! Network bumped up the premiere date for season five of Total Bellas that was set to premiere on April 9th but has been moved up to April 2nd.
** Per the Fightful Wrestling Weekly, the IMPACT Wrestling roster has not been informed about the rescheduling of their throwback show that was set for WrestleMania weekend. Many within the company are optimistic that it could happen considering the buzz it got. Also, with the cancellation of their Rebellion pay-per-view, a source told the site that they are unsure of the direction the company will be heading in with so much of the remaining episodes of IMPACT TV being focused around the Rebellion pay-per-view.
** OutSports interviewed several wrestlers and wrestling promoters that have had their WrestleMania week shows and forthcoming events cancelled or postponed do to COVID-19 concerns.
** With the recent comments that Braun Strowman made on Instagram about independent wrestlers and the majority of independent wrestlers’ situation with the Coronavirus outbreak, Shelton Benjamin tweeted out the following:
“Instead of tagging Braun with all the hate, show some love to your favorite INDY wrestler and tag them. Increase their exposure and maybe an extra sale or two. Be positive & HELP ME HELP THEM #SupportIndyWrestling like my boys @DirtyAndyDalton & @voteaaj”
** Special Olympics has created a fitness video series in conjunction with WWE, led by Special Olympics athletes. The video workout series features RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch training six Special Olympics athletes.
** The post-show about Chris Benoit’s ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ episode featuring Chavo Guerrero, Tommy Dreamer, Ben Kissel and Chris Gethard is up on VICE’s YouTube channel.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KALLC3Q4nBA[/embedyt]
** Ronda Rousey uploaded a new cooking video to her YouTube channel.
** A video is up on the WWEPC YouTube channel featuring Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter talking about wanting their own show.
** Below is a video of the top-ten tap outs at WrestleMania:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5h8di9bVz8[/embedyt]
** Booker T, Renee Young and Mark Henry hosted a remote edition of WWE Backstage:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0-dUiwgSn0[/embedyt]
** Mandy Rose will be on the 3/26 edition of WWE After The Bell.
** Ring of Honor’s Maria Manic turned 23 years old on March 25th.
** Major League Wrestling inked a deal with Fight Klub to air their weekly MLW FUSION show in Poland.
** OTT announced that their ‘Homecoming 3’ show is now set for August 15th and their ‘Banjaxed 2’ show is now set for August 16th.
** Digital Spy conducted an interview with Mandy Rose. Rose said that Otis Dozovic is the same person off-screen that he is on-screen. She said she has enjoyed the storyline that they’ve been in so far and didn’t think the fans would be as into as they are.
“He’s exactly who he is on TV. He’s always been like that ever since his NXT days. He’d walk around the Performance Center and he’d call me ‘peach’ and ‘Mandy candy’. The whole ‘Mandy candy’ and ‘peach’ thing started in NXT a couple of years ago, it was always really funny, he’d even cut promos on me. It’s like a Beauty and the Beast storyline and it’s awesome, but I don’t think I thought they’d be this much into it and this much behind it and care about it that much. It’s really cool.”
Rose also spoke about she and Otis’ spot at the 2020 Royal Rumble pay-per-view during-which Otis saved Mandy from elimination. Mandy said it was nerve-racking but she’s glad they were able to execute it.
“It was kind of nerve-racking but we’re so used to so many spots being like that and you’ve got to really just be on your A-game and really focus when your adrenaline’s pumping and you’re in the moment. It was definitely nerve-racking. But we got it done.”
** A new episode of WWE’s ‘The Bump’ premiered on the company’s YouTube channel and Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan all joined the show. During Bryan’s appearance, he confirmed that he’ll be self-quarantining after he finishes up this week with WWE because he wants to make sure he’s fully healthy before returning to Brie Bella and their daughter. Bryan also spoke about his WWE World Heavyweight Title win at WrestleMania XXX and said he doesn’t look back at that time with a positive outlook because of all the tragedy that occurred in his life during that time period. Drew Gulak joined Daniel Bryan on the show from a rooftop parking lot in his ring gear. Gulak and Bryan talked about Yuji Nagata commenting on their MMA drill that they did in the ring on Friday Night SmackDown. Also, McKenzie Mitchell sat down with Tyler Breeze for an interview before Breeze’s match against Austin Theory on tonight’s NXT.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc1A-5u5u2w[/embedyt]
** Former OVW wrestler “Cable Jones”, real name Don Moore was profiled in an article published by ‘PhilStar’. Since his time in wrestling, Moore has opened up two chiropractic clinics in New York.
** Sportskeeda was a part of an international media Q&A with NXT North American Champion Keith Lee.
** Gail Kim went live on Instagram with her husband, Robert Irvine.
** While speaking with TheWrap, Drew McIntyre opened up about competing at WrestleMania 36 for the WWE Championship and knowing that no fans will be in attendance. McIntyre stated that he’s thinking about what it will be like if he does win and added that fans may see him vulnerable and emotional because of the thoughts that will be running through his head as he’s holding the WWE Title.
“What if I pull it off and I’m sitting there in the ring by myself with the title, with the record crowd of zero? The only time after I’ve won big titles in the past that I’m sitting there with them by myself is when I get to the hotel room. That’s when the real emotion comes out. The only other person who’s ever been with me at that time is my wife. She’s the only one who gets to see me when I really let my guard down. That’s how I see this. Maybe this is gonna be a glimpse inside — the kind of situation that nobody gets to see. They get to see us win, they get to see us scream, be happy, maybe be a little emotional in the moment. But it’s more crazy adrenaline and feeding off the people. This time, it could be ‘1, 2, 3 — nothing.’ Brock and Heyman leave, I’m sitting there with the title. But I can assure you, that camera’s gonna capture exactly what’s going on in my head. This 19-year journey, all these ups and downs. The idea that-that guy from 3MB worked his ass off and now main-evented WrestleMania, even though the situation it’s in — main-evented it with Brock Lesnar for the title and beat Brock Lesnar. I think everyone’s gonna get a glimpse inside that private moment when I’m by myself, when I’m looking at that title. Whatever emotion happens, I’m just gonna let it happen. Even if I get, like, upset, I cry or whatever — it’s not something I like to do on-camera, let the world see that side of me, but recently I’ve been letting go and letting people in a bit more. I think that moment could be very special.”
** Matches from New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s ‘New Beginning USA’ tour are up on NJPW World.
** WWE has filed to trademark the phrase “Too Big For One Night”.
** FITE TV COO Mike Weber joined The WrestlingINC Daily podcast.
** Thomas Santell did an interview with MyMMANews and Santell spoke about his release from WWE during the mid-2000s. Santell spent some time in OVW and made his way onto the main roster but was mainly featured on ‘Heat’.
“My time in WWE wasn’t as long or remarkable as I wanted it to be, because I didn’t have high-level experience and never received many chances to grow. When I got released, it gave me a sense of wanting to prove something in being the best I could be, which inspired me to travel to various countries to compete.”
Santell was set to take on Hideki Suzuki at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport event this WrestleMania weekend until that weekend of festivities was shut down due to the Coronavirus outbreak. He doesn’t look at the event as cancelled and is excited to be a part of it whenever it takes place. He also said he’s interested in offering his services to various promotions/companies including PWG, AEW and MLW.
“Bloodsport is a very unique platform I am excited to compete in. Many fans know my history and what I have done over the years, so I feel many people will be rooting for me to win. Fans are going to see what I bring as Thomas Santell along with my Muay Thai and Submission grappling game. I don’t look at things as canceled, but merely postponed. When things clear up, I look forward to resuming my Martial Arts training and my teaching/coaching career. I don’t know what wrestling holds for me, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t like to appear and offer something different for AEW, PWG, MLW and various other promotions. I will continue to keep my mind and body in great health, and when Bloodsport resumes, I look forward to competing with some of the best the wrestling and Martial Arts world[s] has to offer.”
** Chris Van Vliet hosted a Q&A with NWA World Television Champion Zicky Dice.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygWY0wKwIE[/embedyt]
** Sandra Toffoloni, sister of Nancy Benoit took to Twitter and thanked Paul Heyman for a message that Heyman sent to her overnight. Sandra typed the following:
“I want to thank @HeymanHustle publicly for a private reason. Waking up to your sweet & kind text made me cry happy tears. Thank you for looking out for me ALWAYS especially when #Nancy Benoit couldn’t anymore. I love you Daddio”
** ROH World Champion RUSH was interviewed by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated and RUSH said he hopes that ROH’s version of Los Ingobernables (RUSH, Kenny King, Dragon Lee & Amy Rose) can receive an opportunity to come to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and create new rivalries.
“I hope that Los Ingobernables will be given the opportunity to represent Ring of Honor in New Japan Pro-Wrestling to create new rivalries. It has been a great decision to sign with Ring of Honor.”
** Drew McIntyre did an interview with CBS Sports and opened up about his time in EVOLVE and how he can mentally go back to his time in that promotion where he was the EVOLVE Champion and remind himself of what it means to be on top. He also praised the likes of Johnny Gargano, Roderick Strong and Ricochet who were in EVOLVE with him at that time.
“The in-ring performers there were so ridiculously good. The Roderick Strongs, the Ricochets, the Johnny Garganos. You look at the roster at that time, top to bottom, and it was filled with incredible in-ring performers who I had the chance to get in with and perfect my craft. Being champion, I was last every night. I had to follow all these guys, so the pressure was on to get good and get good quick. The timing couldn’t have been better to get my face out there and to really pick things up. If I didn’t get them up pretty quick, the crowds would have crapped all over me. Those were some pretty passionate crowds.”
** Ring of Honor launched a series of blog posts that will be ran by members of the ROH roster.
If any of the quotes from the following podcasts or video interviews are used, please credit those sources and provide an H/T and link back to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
