Recent Kazuchika Okada Rumours “Nowhere Near Official”; December 18th Wrestling News Round-Up

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has captured the imagination of fans following the clubs 1-0 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup final.

Clement joined Rangers in 2023 after a failed spell at Monaco, the League Cup win was his first trophy since joining the club and one of only a handful of trophies the club has won since being founded in 2012.

One fan took to Twitter to share their thanks to Clement by using AI to turn the Belgian into WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin hitting a Stone Cold Stunner on a sheep (the derogatory nickname for Aberdeen Football Club).

Check out the bizarre Tweet below!

This is the best image I’ve ever seen 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/KqfAF9xtA2

— Mr M (@1872MBS_) December 18, 2023

WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts has been part of some of the companies most iconic storylines throughout his storied career.

During a recent episode of The Snake Pit podcast, Roberts was exposed to the infamous WWE Katie Vick storyline for the first time.

The legendary star was then asked his thoughts…and he did not hold back.

“Not with it, man … That’s some sick s**t…It’s uh, f*cking disgusting, should’ve been banned from television altogether.” [h/t WrestlingInc]

Is Katie Vick the WORST WWE storyline of all time? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Ring of Honor Final Battle 2023 was a night to remember for Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher.

The Australian star captured his first singles championship in AEW/ROH by becoming the new ROH World Television Champion.

During the show, Sean Ross Sapp would take to social media to compare the former PROGRESS star to Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay.

Something Fletcher was quick to respond to.

Taking to Twitter, Fletcher would reply:

“I will surpass them both, mark my words.”

Fletcher is currently on an extended singles run after his tag partner, Mark Davis, suffered a major injury back in October.

Do you think Kyle Fletcher can surpass Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Last week there was some positive news regarding AEW Revolution ticket sales.

But how have things changed since then?

Well, according to a new report from WrestleTix, AEW Revolution ticket sales have gone from strength to strength over the past week.

The report notes that at the time of writing 11,807 tickets have been sold out of a possible 12,717 leaving just 910 tickets to be sold for the March PPV before it is a complete sell out.

The PPV is set to be WWE Hall of Famer Sting’s final match a moment in history that is set to be remember for years to come.

Are you excited for AEW Revolution in 2024? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

WrestleMania 40 could be one of the biggest events in WWE history.

With the company going from strength to strength in 2023 and a blockbuster card appearing to come together, the 2024 incarnation of WWE’s biggest event looks set to be an all timer.

But how are tickets selling?

Well, a new update from WrestleTix has provided the latest news on the event.

At current 57,207 tickets have been sold for night two of the event with only 1703 still available.

The report also notes that 3334 tickets are available for resale meaning that the event has surpassed a major milestone now sitting at 91% capacity and is sitting at 97% of available tickets sold.

Are you excited for WrestleMania 40? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

WrestleMania 40 could be one of the biggest events in WWE history.

With the company going from strength to strength in 2023 and a blockbuster card appearing to come together, the 2024 incarnation of WWE’s biggest event looks set to be an all timer.

But how are tickets selling?

Well, a new update from WrestleTix has provided the latest news on the event.

At current 57,153 tickets have been sold for night one of the event with only 1757 still available.

The report also notes that 3455 tickets are available for resale meaning that the event is currently at 91% capacity and is sitting at 97% of available tickets sold.

Are you excited for WrestleMania 40? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

AJ Francis, also known as former WWE Superstar Top Dolla, has revealed that his iconic botch during an episode of SmackDown actually saved his life.

During the December 16th, 2022, episode of SmackDown, Francis would attempt to hit an over the top rope dive to the outside, something he had nailed many times before, only to clip his hip and come crashing down on the apron.

On the one-year anniversary of the botch, Francis took to social media to reveal how in a positive twist of events the botch saved his live.

Taking to Twitter, Francis revealed:

“The botch saved my life. I made that dive a dozen times before, legs felt off but I didn’t think about it. After I failed I went to the doc & found out I had Type II diabetes & my blood sugar was 626.

I almost lost my life & was about to lose both feet. The botch saved my life.”

In a new interview with Wrestling Shoot Interviews, Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine has recalled the insane moment that Dan Spivy kicked Adrian Adonis’ ass so badly “his head looked like a f*cking alien.”

Check it out below!

In a new interview with Wrestling Shoot Interviews, Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine has revealed that he was almost one of the original four horsemen.

Check it out below!

Mercedes Mone has not competed since sustaining an ankle injury back at NJPW STRONG Resurgence in May.

Fans of the former Sasha Banks are eagerly awaiting ‘The CEO’s’ next move but what should they expect?

It had been reported previously that prior to her injury there were plans for Mone to compete in AEW but that does not look to be the case anymore!

A recent update from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select suggests that plans between All Elite Wrestling and Mone have waned.

During a Q&A session, Sapp revealed that any plans Mone and Tony Khan’s promotion had in place are no longer working plans.

“I haven’t heard anything lately besides that the once working plans for AEW and Mercedes (Monè) are no longer working plans.”

As for a WWE return, this looks to be something no currently in the works.

Despite teases from former tag partner Bayley and from Mone herself, a recent report claimed that WWE creative clarified that as of late November there were no booking plans in the work relating to the former Sasha Banks.

The former WWE Women’s in-ring return appears to be getting closer as Mone recently took to social media to reveal that she had returned to training.

Do you think Mercedes Mone will return to the WWE? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Lio Rush is internationally renowned for his incredible in-ring work and unique style.

However, one “fan” seems to be less concerned with his upcoming plans and more concerned with why Rush “betrayed” the AEW audience.

WrestlePurist’s writer Ibo took to Twitter to announce that he would be interviewing Rush later than night.

One fan took the opportunity to air his grievances with the former NJPW, AEW and WWE star stating:

“Will you ask Lio why he betrayed AEW fans?”

Never one to shy away from confrontation, Rush took to social media to hit back at the bizarre claim blasting the fan for his “weird as f*ck” response.

Writing on Twitter, Rush would comment:

“Betray is hilarious. And if I did, it was because they were weird as fuck such as yourself. If you’re a fan of me. Be a fan of me. If not, keep it pushing. ✌🏽”

It was recently reported that NJPW Superstar was now being represented by wrestling super-agent Barry Bloom but according to a new report those rumours are “nowhere near official”.

Barry Bloom is one of pro-wrestling’s most prominent agents having represented Kevin Nash and Scott Hall’s WCW contracts as well as most recently Will Ospreay during his move from NJPW to AEW.

Late last night news began circulating on social media that NJPW star Kazuchika Okada was now being represented by Bloom amidst WWE/AEW interest.

However, according to Sean Ross Sapp, those reports are nowhere near official.

Taking to Twitter, Sapp wrote:

“The Barry Bloom-Kazuchika Okada rumors are nowhere near official.”

The Fightful Wrestling leader writer would then continue, noting that although not official he would not be surprised if the reports came to fruition.

“However, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them come to fruition.”

Do you think Kazuchika Okada will leave NJPW when his contract expires? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Good Afternoon!

I hope everyone is doing well and had an awesome weekend!

I will be with you from 2pm to 6pm BST (9am – 1pm ET) covering all the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT and more.

We will be kicking things off today with the biggest stories from the last 24 hours including:

• Recent Kazuchika Okada reports are “nowhere near official.”
• Lio Rush hits back as “weird as f*ck” fan accusation.
• The latest news of Mercedes Mone‘s future in wrestling.
• Former WWE star reveals that an infamous botch saved their life.
• WrestleMania 40 ticket sale update.