Around the squared circle
Plenty of pro wrestling news
There are several pro wrestling newsworthy topics this week, so let鈥檚 jump right in!
Rhodes vs. Rhodes
It was announced earlier this week that Cody, known as Cody Rhodes in WWE, will take on his brother, Dustin Rhodes at the All Elite Wrestling PPV titled Double or Nothing on May 25.
While the match is not a marquee matchup on paper, look for the bout to be really solid.
Viceland series doing solid numbers
Dark Side of the Ring, a show about pro wrestling on the channel Viceland, is drawing decent ratings and is a must-see for pro wrestling fans.
So far, there have been episodes on 鈥淢acho Man鈥� Randy Savage and Elizabeth, the Montreal Screwjob, the death of Bruiser Brody and the Von Erich family.
The show airs on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. and this week鈥檚 episode is on the 1986 death of Gino Hernandez.
The opinion here is that the piece on Bruiser Brody, who would have been a massive star in the NWA or WWE had he not died, has been the best so far.
WWE cancels Smackdown event
There was supposed to be a Smackdown Live event Monday night in Corbin, Kentucky, but the event was canceled Friday.
Word is that it is so Smackdown wrestlers can appear on Raw to help build the Money in the Bank PPV.
Roman Reigns announced on Twitter that he will be at Raw but WWE refuted the tweet.
Another reason is because WWE may be looking to try and put a halt to the miserable ratings that the show has been drawing.
Last Monday, Raw鈥檚 numbers were one of the lowest in the show鈥檚 history.
Bryan cleared to wrestle
Daniel Bryan, who has been out of action and has not appeared on WW television since losing the WWE championship to Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania, was cleared to wrestle earlier this week.
WWE has kept the nature of the injury quiet, but there has been speculation that Bryan may have suffered another concussion.
Lesnar done with UFC
On Tuesday, UFC president Dana White announced that Brock Lesnar will not be returning to the company.
Taker, Lesnar headed to Saudi Arabia
WWE is returning to Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 3 for the next show as part of a 10-year deal, and it is bringing several part-time stars with them.
Despite seeing his streak of having a match at 18 consecutive WrestleMania鈥檚 end last month, The Undertaker is scheduled for a match and his opponent appears to be Elias.
Goldberg, who had been rumored to have been contacted recently by AEW, has signed a WWE deal that will keep him away from other promotions.
Brock Lesnar is also scheduled for the event and it will be interesting to see if he will challenge Seth Rollins for the Universal title, face Goldberg or take on someone else.
Look for WWE to begin hyping the event heavy once Money in the Bank takes place on May 19.
Vader autobiography released online
Leon 鈥淏ig Van Vader鈥� White was one of the top big men off all-time in the pro wrestling genre, and now his story is being shared.
The autobiography on Vader, who passed away last year, is now available online and information can be found at www.wohw.com.
Jeff Hardy out
Smackdown tag champ Jeff Hardy had surgery this past week on his knee and will be out for up to nine months.
Jeff and his brother relinquished the belts on Smackdown this past Tuesday.
On This Day鈥�
In 2002, World Wrestling Federation, Inc. (WWF) officially changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE).
The then-WWF lost a case to the World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly the World Wildlife Fund) in October, 2001 in British court over the use of the WWF initials.
Email questions/comments to Bill at powerhousehughes@gmail.com or tweet them to me @BillHughes_III.