According to his twitter account, former WCW Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader, who's real name was Leon White, has passed away at the age of 63. This comes after a lengthy battle with severe pneumonia. 

White became famous performing in World Championship Wrestling, where he won the top title, and later in the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment. He also played professional football with the Los Angeles Rams, playing in Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers being one of his career highlights. 

Along with performing with many smaller wrestling promotions over the years, Vader has also worked with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.

The world of music and the world of professional wrestling are no strangers. Whether it's the Rock N' Wrestling days of the 80's, the heavy metal of the Attitude Era, or Hip Hop's current obsession with the squared circle, pro wrestling and music go together like Money in the Bank. So when the Undertaker showed up to a Post Malone concert in Austin, Texas, it was no big surprise, but what we were treated to may have been. 

In what seemed like a prerecorded back stage segment, Post Malone ran into the Deadman only to be greeted with one of his signature moves. As the Undertaker turned around, he grabs Post Malone by the throat and chokeslams him to hell as the cameras go out. You can check the video out below. 

Later in the night, the Deadman returned to hit the stage with fellow guest, rapper 21 Savage. Together they teamed up with Malone to smash some guitars on stage.

It looks like WWE 2K19 is on track to be truly "Phenomenal." 

According to reports from Pro Wrestling Sheet, 2KSports and the WWE have chose current WWE Champion AJ Styles to grace the cover of WWE 2K19. In addition to the cover star being named, the pre-order DLC is said to be none other than Rowdy Ronda Rousey. 

Apparently, both Styles and Rousey were part of a cover reveal commercial shoot this past week in Memphis. You may recall that the WWE did the same thing last year with cover star Seth Rollins and DLC superstar Kurt Angle. 

In addition to those names being revealed, it was also reported that WCW/WWE legend Rey Mysterio was also present for the shoot. Mysterio most recently has wrestled for New Japan, but he did take part in both the Royal Rumble and the Greatest Royal Rumble this year.

An official announcement with more game details is expected this coming Monday (June 18).

​With WWE’s Money In The Bank (MiTB) PPV just under five weeks away, the card is just starting to take shape. We already know four of the eight participants in the men’s MITB match, and two of the eight women. Now we are starting to get an idea of the rest of the card.

While the WWE is touring Europe, two major title matches have been announced. The first one was a no-brainer as SmackDown Live commissioner announce a rematch between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship. While no stipulations have been announced yet, I am sure one will be added to ensure a clear winner.
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The second match added may come as a bit of a shocker as Nia Jax will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey. The match came about after Jax issued a challenge to Rousey because she wants to prove herself against the best.

Patrick and Kevin talk with Australian wrestling star and former Heart of Shimmer Champion, Shazza McKenzie following her tumultuous Shimmer weekend. On her 10th trip to America, Shazza is sticking around for an extended period to get extra matches in, which are all covered during this chat, along with talks about what's NXT... I mean next for her in the future.

Independent wrestling star Ricochet has officially joined the WWE. The 29 year-old high-flyer reported to the WWE Performance Center for the first time today (Jan. 16).  He brings with him all the experience one would expect from a 14-year veteran of the business. 

Ricochet is no stranger to winning as he has a healthy resume that includes being a two-time winner of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament, the second American in history to win New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament (Eddie Guerrero was the first), PWG World Champion, Lucha Underground Champion, World Series Wrestling heavyweight champion and more.

Standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 188 pounds, Ricochet brings an astonishing assortment of aerial moves to the ring. He first earned notoriety in Japan for an eye-popping double-moonsault, and his 630° senton remains one of the most potent weapons in his arsenal.

His inclusion in the WWE Universe should be one that fans of all kinds will enjoy for years to come. 

According to a report by PWInsider.com, Paige is done as an in-ring performer with the WWE. 

In a situation described as similar to WWE Hall of Famer Adam "Edge" Copeland's medical disqualification from the ring, WWE star Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis, 25 years old) was informed this week that she will not be cleared to return to the ring after her most recent in-ring injury, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources.

​During a six woman tag team bout on 12/28/17 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, Paige had her back to Sasha Banks, who was behind her against the turnbuckles.  Banks used the ropes to pull herself up and kicked with both legs into Paige's back.  Paige, obviously not ready for the bump, went down.  She tried to get up but could not get her legs under her, finally did get up and turned to grab Banks,  immediately falling down again and rolling over to her back, where she stayed.  The referee checked on her and called for the bell.   She was examined by WWE medical personnel and a stretcher was brought to ringside to transport her back to the locker room.  After several minutes, Paige walked out under her own power.

It was believed at the time that Paige had suffered a stinger, leading to her losing feeling in her extremities.  Given her previous neck surgery, WWE pulled her from the ring and set up further testing that led to this week's decision.

Obviously, this injury couldn't have come ate a worse time for Paige. Having just comeback from a hiatus of over a year due to a different neck injury, Paige has come back with a lot of momentum and a huge push with her group, Absolution. She, like the rest of the women's division, was also preparing for the first-ever women's Royal Rumble, which she will now have to miss. 

One would assume the company will devise a way to write her out of the Rumble match without any physicality, similar to how Daniel Bryan is not allowed to be involved in anything physical in his current role as SmackDown Live General Manager.

The WWE has yet to confirm these reports, but we will keep you posted if more information comes out. 

On Tuesday's (Dec. 26) SmackDown Live in Chicago, Illinois, GM Daniel Bryan announced that there would be a tournament for the U.S. Title that Dolph Ziggler appeared to have relinquished the week before. On that show, we saw Bobby Roode defeat Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal defeat Tye Dillinger to advance to the semi-finals. What was still unknown was the other four participants in the tourney, until now. ​

Cathy Kelly revealed the other four participants via WWE Now video on Youtube. The other four superstars are Zack Ryder, Mojo Rawley, Xavier Woods and Aiden English. Rawley will battle Ryder in the first round and Woods will take on English.  Those matches should take place next week but there is no word on when the semi-final and final matches would be held. 

By Kevin Gray
Twitter: @KGBLU
Instagram: @kgthemovie

Usually when Stephanie McMahon hits the ring something big is about happen. Many times she comes to the ring to degrade a superstar that she deems isn't best for business or to just flat out fire them. Other times, like tonight, she is there to make announcements that change the future of the WWE forever. 

After tonight's Raw main event broke down into a full brawl featuring the entire Raw Women's roster, Steph's music hit and everything came to a halt. When she stepped into the ring she had nothing but praise for the women, not just on the Raw roster but SmackDown Live as well. After listing all the things they have accomplished, she asked her roster if they wanted to make history again. Then Steph made it known that on January 28, for the first time ever, there will be an all-women Royal Rumble match. ​