Latest news with #professionalwrestling
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Owner of Pembrokeshire football club is taking on wrestling
Rob Edwards has added Ohio Valley Wrestling to his sports portfolio, which includes Haverfordwest County AFC (Image: Steve Bainbridge) The man behind Haverfordwest County AFC's rise is now taking on the world of professional wrestling. Rob Edwards, owner of the football club, has taken over Kentucky's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)—the promotion that launched the careers of stars John Cena, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar. Advertisement Mr Edwards said: "I've got no idea how I ended up here, really. "In the blink of an eye, I was flying to Kentucky to watch wrestling shows with the view of taking over the running of OVW. "It's completely surreal, but honestly, it all comes from the same place. "I'm obsessed with sport and the impact it can have on communities. "I'm doing things I never imagined doing, but I'm enjoying every second and looking to create a legacy as I go." Mr Edwards' sports management group, MSM, now holds a controlling stake in OVW, which was recently featured in the Netflix documentary series Wrestlers. Advertisement His journey into sports ownership began unexpectedly during lockdown when he came across a listing for a semi-professional football club for sale. Six weeks later, he became the owner of Haverfordwest County AFC. Under his leadership, the Pembrokeshire club has qualified for European competition twice in three years and recently achieved its highest league finish in two decades. Mr Edwards said: "Within three years, we had gone from an amateur side to playing in Europe." He now aims to replicate that success with OVW, expanding its reach beyond Kentucky and into Europe. Since taking over, Mr Edwards has launched a company-wide survey, restructured leadership, and implemented a 'fan-first' approach. Advertisement He believes OVW can become the world's leading independent wrestling promotion. He said: "We're building something that can stand on its own. "A company where people want to stay, not just pass through. "We want OVW to be the best indie promotion in the world – and we want it to feel like home." Mr Edwards also sees OVW as part of a broader vision for MSM, which aims to build a portfolio of five to seven clubs across different sports.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
WWE legend Ric Flair diagnosed with cancer in heartbreaking news
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer for the 'second time in three years'. Flair, 76, announced he will begin treatment next week, as The Sun reports. The 16-time world champion initially denied reports he had cancer on X on Thursday to keep his diagnosis private. But he was later ready to share the news that he has skin cancer. Flair told People: 'It's the second time in three years that I've been dealing with skin cancer. 'I will be undergoing treatment next week.' The two-time WWE Hall of Famer added: 'Appreciate the concerns!' Flair is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time having shared the ring with some of the sport's biggest legends. Known in the ring as the 'Nature Boy', he has previously dealt with significant health issues. Back in August 2017, the ex-WWE Champion was hospitalised with stomach pains. A few hours later the North Carolina native suffered early stages of kidney failure and came close to congestive heart failure as a result of alcohol abuse. The ex-US Champion's family were told he only had 20 per cent odds of surviving and was put in a medically induced coma. The former Intercontinental Champion's doctors later removed part of his bowel and inserted a pacemaker as he regained consciousness. Flair cemented himself as one of the greatest legends thanks to stints at WWE, WCW, NWA and New Japan. Born Richard Morgan Fliehr in Memphis, Tennessee in 1949, Flair had a successful amateur career before turning professional in the early 1970s. One of the most active wrestlers in history, he was still performing in the ring as recently as last year in AEW events. Fans were sending their best to the Nature Boy on social media. Wrestle Talk tweeted: 'Sending our best wishes to Ric Flair for a full recovery.' A fan wrote: 'Get well soon Nature boy!' Another said: 'I really extremely hope Ric flair gets cured.' Another wrote simply: 'Prayers for Ric Flair.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seth Rollins Reveals How Many Years Are Left On Current WWE Deal
Seth Rollins has consistently been at the forefront of WWE's main event scene. Known for his in-ring work and evolving character, "The Visionary" recently shed light on his future in professional wrestling. This includes the length of his current WWE contract and the factors contributing to his optimistic outlook on continued success. Seth Rollins confronts CM Punk during Monday Night RAW at Canadian Tire Centre on July 8, 2024 in Ottawa, Images Speaking on the Chicago Bears podcast, Rollins, who inked a new deal with WWE in April 2024, revealed, "I got about four or five years left on this current contract." He attributes his positive physical state and potential for longevity, even into his mid-40s, significantly to the evolution of WWE's scheduling. The schedule has seen a great reduction due to fewer events. Advertisement "I feel really good. Our schedule has toned down drastically since 2020," Rollins explained. "Obviously, COVID shut everything down... but WWE merged with UFC over this past year. They started a new company called TKO... one of the things that they've really cut back on are non-televised events." He contrasted this with his past experiences: "Our non-televised events used to happen every weekend... So I would wrestle like 200 matches a year sometimes, which was crazy.' 'Wouldn't recommend... As the years start to go on, the injuries start to pile up... sleeping with the wrong pillow can be a three-day injury. So it's like yeah, I'm at my place now where I feel really good. The schedule is tightened up. I'm not falling down nearly as much as I used to." Rollins also noted the advancements in athlete care and knowledge. "Look, the information is better now, man," he stated. "I firmly believe that players of past generations... had the information been as available as it is now, you guys could have played longer too... Tom [Brady] has just taken advantage of every little bit of information... and I feel that way as well as wrestlers, you look at what we're able to do and we're able to do it better, longer, men and women... I feel like I could do it, into my mid-forties and we'll see what happens, but I feel, I feel very good." Related: Drew McIntyre Omits Key Match From His 'Greatest Ever' List Related: Braun Strowman Details Horrific List Of Injuries Endured In WWE
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Wrestling legend Sabu dead at 60... just weeks after his final match
Wrestling pioneer Terry Brunk, better known as 'Sabu' has died at the age of 60. Sabu was still wrestling as recently as April 18, when he reportedly took part in his final match in Las Vegas during Wrestlemania weekend. 'AEW and the wrestling world mourns the passing of Sabu,' AEW said in a statement. 'From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave everything to professional wrestling. 'Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans.'
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
London ready to host WrestleMania after talks with WWE legend Triple H if showpiece leaves North America for first time
LONDON is ready to host WrestleMania within the next decade if the WWE decide to stage their yearly extravaganza outside of North America for the first time. The flagship event of the world's largest professional wrestling promotion has been staged annually, every March or April time, since 1985 and showcases the best wrestlers from the RAW and SmackDown brands. 2 2 Icons such as Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, The Undertaker, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Stone Cold Steve Austin have graced the stage in front of millions in the world's biggest wrestling TV showpiece. The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada held WrestleMania 41 over two days last month – a combined crowd of more than 110,000 were in attendance. And on night two, John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. WrestleMania 42 will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans between April 11-12, 2026 while Indianapolis is confirmed as the host city for a future event. Mania has never been held outside of the United States or Canada but the London Mayor's Office are confident they could be the first European destination on WWE 's radar. This is despite the five-hour time difference to the East Coast of the US. Howard Dawber, London's Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, told SunSport: 'That's absolutely a conversation. 'We had Triple H in here last year in this building to talk to [Mayor] Sadiq Khan about exactly that, about doing more stuff here. 'So we have had SmackDown and RAW, and some of their other events in London. 'London is not just this platform for London fans and UK fans but for people from all over the rest of the world. 'You know, you have got WrestleMania fans globally, so that would be a great thing.' Asked if it could happen perhaps within the next five to ten years, Dawber responded: 'I'm going to say why not? Why not? 'Again, we have made it clear. We have got a relationship. There's clearly a huge fanbase here. A huge fanbase across Europe. Why not? 'You have to start these conversations with 'let's talk about it'. People say, 'Ah, it will never leave the US'. Then it goes to Canada. WrestleMania may come to London 'It's like, if you are ever going to do Europe, let's make it as easy as possible. 'One of the things that we have been really good at is putting together bids for big stuff. 'Whether that's big conferences at the ExCeL, where we get involved in putting bids together to host things like big American medical conferences. 'Or whether it's the Women's World Cup. Or the Champions League Final. 'Having the Mayor's Office support and help to coordinate stuff alongside the venues makes a real difference. 'It's one of the things we can do to bring tourists, business visitors and money into the city.'
