WWE has had many warriors throughout its history from the Ultimate Warrior to “the Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich to the Road Warriors. The newest warrior to join their ranks is an American Ninja Warrior alumna Kacy Catanzaro.
WWE announced Catanzaro had reported to the WWE Performance Center.
It has been a big week for the Performance Center and WWE. Catanzaro arrives at the facility just days after WWE announced it signed talents Candice LeRae, Ricochet and War Machine – Raymond Rowe and Hanson. The company also announced that Jordanian professional wrestler Shadia Bseiso and Kuwait athlete Nasser Al Ruwayeh started at the Performance Center.
This is an impressive signing for WWE in terms of bringing in an athlete with a diverse background. Catanzaro became the first woman to complete the warped wall obstacle course on “American Ninja Warrior.” Prior to etching her name in ANW history, she was a former Division I gymnast and made the list of Sports Illustrated’s “Most Fit Female Athletes in Sports” on two occasions.
Catanzaro also participated in a workout the Performance Center last January and was in attendance at the Mae Young Classic.
During the workout, Catanzaro said training in a WWE ring was unlike anything she had experienced in her athletic career. However, she felt her backgrounds in gymnastics and obstacle course racing would be a big advantage for in WWE both mentally and physically. She also appreciated the women’s movement that was happening, not only in WWE, but sports in general.
Some fans may sour on the idea of Catanzaro receiving an opportunity to train at the Performance Center and become a WWE Superstar because she has no prior professional wrestling experience.
There have been numerous athletes through the history of professional wrestling who have come in with no pro wrestling experience but have learned and proven themselves and become good workers. Everyone has to start from somewhere and fans should give Catanzaro a chance to shine and prove herself.
Where she may lack in the experience department, she comes into the squared circle with an impressive athletic background, charisma and a cool backstory.
Her background in obstacle course racing could make her standout from other wrestlers. She could base her in-ring skills around a mix of high flying moves and strength, but have the endurance and flexibility to take on a strong opponent.
Speaking of the WWE Performance Center, Wrestling Inc. issued a report – via the Wrestling Observer Newsletter – that former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Ethan Carter III was seen at the Performance Center this week. Carter – also known as EC 3 – recently finished his run in Impact Wrestling.
There arerumors that Carter is going to make a return to WWE, and there is a possibility he may appear in the Royal Rumble on Jan. 28. There’s no word if he will use his old name of Derrick Bateman, which was his sports entertainer handle before he left the company, or if he will go by EC3, as he owns the rights.
Former WWE star Lanny ‘The Genius’ Poffo has reportedly died at the age of 68, according to his close friend “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, although no cause of death has been given at the time of this writing.
Poffo made his in-ring debut with the All-South Wrestling Alliance back in 1974, and also wrestled for a number of promotions such as the National Wrestling Alliance where he won a tag-team title with his father, Angelo.
Poffo debuted for WWE back in 1985 where he would be known as “Leaping Lanny Poffo” and “The Genius.”
Poffo would return to WWE back in 2015 to induct his brother, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, into the WWE Hall of Fame in a touching induction ceremony ahead of WrestleMania 31.
“With a very, very heavy heart, I’ve been asked to let everyone know about the passing of our friend and colleague Lanny Poffo, The Genius,” Duggan said on Twitter.
WWE superstar Braun Strowman has had a number of memorable moments during his career at WWE, but none are quite like the 2018 Royal Rumble where Brock Lesnar got upset with Strowman for catching him with a knee.
Lesnar didn’t take to kindly and immediately hit Strowman with a flurry of legitimate punches, including a right hand to his jaw.
“I mean, at the end of the day it’s two scary guys, two dominant males, not wanting to give an inch to either one, and we took it from each other. Things happen. We’re not playing, we’re not ballet, we’re not badminton. We’re physical. He’s [Lesnar] 300lbs, of just unadulterated animalistic beast and I’m a 385lbs monster. Things happen. At the end of the day, we made one hell of a segment, that’s what really happened.”
“I pat myself on the back. I think I’m the only person in history to take an overhand right from Brock Lesnar and not get knocked out. Anytime you get in the ring with “The Beast” and mix it up, the bigger the challenge the better. If you’re not wrestling the best, then who’d you beat?”
Former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Karl Fredericks has officially signed with WWE following the conclusion of his four-year tenure with NJPW. Fredericks announced on social media back in summer 2022 that he would not re-sign with NJPW.
Fredericks was initially linked to WWE last September, when he was reportedly spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
According to PW Insider, Fredericks has officially signed with WWE and will be a part of the NXT brand initially.
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