[Emperor Smeat]

The Sheets (Friday News Edition):

Originally Posted by Post Wrestling WWE has yet to comment on the status of whether WrestleMania is being taped next week, which we have inquired about. However, POST Wrestling learned on Friday that a message has been circulated within the company regarding how to promote WrestleMania on the WWE Network. It is being said to avoid tag lines such as “streaming live” and/or “live on WWE Network” and instead to promote the show as “Too Big for One Night”. This is not confirmation that WrestleMania is being taped but it is notable that they were omitting the term “live”. There is a preview of The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles on the website that has also been changed from “streaming live” to “streaming” when promoting the WrestleMania broadcast.

According to the Observer, only very few within WWE know the actual status for Mania's taping and none include talent.

Originally Posted by Observer The reason several Japanese companies are returning to live shows with fans this week is that at yesterday's government meeting with experts on the coronavirus, the doctors reported that the virus spreading has now been limited to three parts of Japan. In the rest of Japan, each prefectures (states) governors are to use their discretion, but the belief is that isolationism will be ending and that schools will be reopened and sports and entertainment events will be allowed. They still warned against large gatherings in small enclosed areas ... Stardom, Dragon Gate, and DDT will all be running shows in the next few days. New Japan, which was hoping to resume action on March 31 at Sumo Hall, has not made an announcement.

Originally Posted by Observer Fans will be in attendance at Stardom's Cinderella tournament next week. The one-night tournament is taking place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Tuesday (March 24). "Fans will be allowed entry to the show, but will undergo a physical check, with their temperature taken," Stardom announced. "No entry will be allowed if temp is over 37°C (98.6°F). Masks will be distributed for free" ... The first round of the tournament will air live on YouTube for free starting at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday. The full show will be available later that night on Stardom World ... Jushin Thunder Liger will be a special guest at the show.

Originally Posted by PWI Jeff Hardy mentioned on today's edition of "The Bump" that WWE will be bringing back his old singles "No More Words" by Endeverafter. Hardy mentioned in a social media post after his WWE Backstage appearance that he was working on getting the song back after fan outcry

Link: https://twitter.com/WWETheBump/statu...18961392787456

Originally Posted by PWI In 2011, The Wrestling Revolution project, headed by Hollywood film producer Jeff Katz (who worked for WCW prior to his Hollywood exploits), announced that he had a distribution deal with Image Entertainment, who also distribute the Criterion Collection movie label. The plan was for a planned 13 episode self-contained series to be distributed via DVD and streaming services. The series was filmed in October 2011 in Los Angeles at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles, featuring a roster of 22 talents, many of whom portrayed unique characters and personalities that were only utilized for WRP. Among those who worked the tapings were MVP, Luke Gallows, Colt Cabana, Alex Reynolds, The Amazing Red, Dr. Luther, Ken Doann, Sami Callihan, Kenny Omega, Shawn Daivari, Emil Sitoci, Ben Muth, Mike Rollins, Karl Anderson, Joey Ryan, Pat Buck, actress Tricia LaFeche, Timothy Thatcher and Kevin Matthews, among others. Then, nothing. Despite using Kickstarter to raise money for the project, Katz never delivered the product. Until today. Overnight, Katz posted the following apology and then began making all of the Raw footage from the taping free online, seeking to give fans who are stuck at home due to the coronavirus outbreak something new and unique to watch. Katz's apology:: We're all in this together. pic.twitter.com/cOB5qUqM9b — WRP (@TheWRProject) March 20, 2020 Katz has been uploading footage to this YouTube channel and is asking fans to donate $1 to the Red Cross, United Way or Habitat for Humanity if they enjoy the content. He also gave his blessing for others to take the raw footage and re-edit it themselves.

Link: https://twitter.com/TheWRProject/sta...12716983709697 , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCin...rkFg/playlists

Originally Posted by PWI The Alabama Athletic Commission under the leadership of Executive Director Keith Warren has temporarily halted issuance of permits for pro wrestling events in the state of Alabama. The decision by the AAC was based on the statewide health order issued by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order prohibits gatherings of 25 people of more in which a six foot distance cannot be consistently maintained and will remain in effect through April 5. The commission interprets the act of having a wrestling match to be in violation of the order. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is urging Georgians to avoid social gatherings but has issued no specific guidelines. As of today, Georgia has 287 positive COVID-19 cases in 35 counties and 10 deaths attributed to the virus.

Originally Posted by Post Wrestling Fite TV issued a press release noting they are offering more free and low-cost content during this period. They are also applying 50-80% discounts on past pay-per-view events on the streaming service. They will also allow for a free trial of AEW Plus in all available territories to new subscribers. Below is a portion of the release: Starting today, we are offering a free trial on the AEW Plus subscription package in all available territories to new subscribers, and a free linear combat sports channel called FITE 24/7 across all FITE platforms globally, for all users. In the next few weeks we’ll announce distribution news bringing additional access to FITE programming to more fans, as well as more initiatives to offer free content. Many thanks to all our partners for making this possible.

Originally Posted by Post Wrestling Matt Hardy is the guest on Talk is Jericho today and spoke about his decision to join AEW. He noted how the plan was for himself and Brodie Lee to debut in Rochester, New York as a double surprise. Jericho added that due to restrictions, they would not have been allowed to fly Vanguard 1 into the arena in Rochester, but they could at the empty Daily’s Place. Hardy reiterated that WWE made him a good offer to stay but felt he would be minimalized and wants to enjoy everything he is doing for the last 3-4 years of his in-ring career.

Originally Posted by Fightful IMPACT will present a TNA special on Mar. 31 on AXS TV. The one-hour special will have old-school TNA branding and new matches with past TNA stars. The special was taped at the recent IMPACT tapings in Atlanta, GA. IMPACT was set to host TNA: There's No Place Like Home during WrestleMania week, but the event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was scheduled for Friday, Apr. 3. Past TNA stars such as Petey Williams, Shark Boy, Scott Steiner, Amazing Red, Aces & Eights, and Chris Harris were scheduled for the event. An Ultimate X match and King of the Mountain match were scheduled for the event.

Originally Posted by Fightful WWE stock opened at $36.30 when the stock market opened

Closed at $36.50 for after-hours trading.

Originally Posted by Fightful Matt Hardy's AEW debut is now already the 10th most watched video on AEW's YouTube channel.

Originally Posted by Fightful Edge is set for his first WrestleMania match in nine years when he clashes with Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania 36. Unlike past WrestleMania matches Edge has competed in, this one will be totally different as it will take place with no live audience due to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to Metro UK, Edge discussed why WWE continues to run shows and how they create an escape for fans. "This year more than any year we are all in the midst of something we have never experienced before, the world really needs outlets. Whether that is books, whether that is movies, whatever it is, just to be able to try and forget and laugh and have fun and remember what it is to be human. As long we can try and be as responsible and as safe as we can, why wouldn’t we try and do this for everyone? As a performer, that’s what we want to do. ‘If we can do that and if people watch and can have fun for a few hours then our mission is accomplished. Here’s how I’ve always looked at this job. My responsibility is to make you forget your responsibilities for two or three hours a day, or during that show," he said.

Originally Posted by PWI Vice TV has released the first half of Dark Side of the Ring's Chris Benoit documentary online early in advance of the entire episode's debut this Tuesday 3/24. You can view it below

TPWW Frontpage:

• The XFL Officially Cancels Its Season
• ESPN to Air Old WrestleManias for Next Three Sundays