Various: Apollo Name Update, Ronda Rousey Training Status, NWA, Indies

Apollo Crews WWE Name Change Update

The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer confirmed that Apollo having his last name dropped was in fact due to the Parkland school shooting. Several people within the company who viewed internal emails related to this issue said that it was Vince McMahon who demanded the name change due to Vince feeling uneasy about the school shooter, Nikolas Cruz, having a similar last name.

Update on Ronda Rousey’s WWE Training Status

Ronda Rousey was reported to have spent the past week secretly training at WWE’s Performance Center, according to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Rousey’s training schedule this week was the same as in the recent past where she trained during the off hours of the Performance Center to ensure she was not disturbed. Dave Meltzer also reported that Rousey’s training team currently consists a mix of Norman Smiley, Sara Amato, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, her husband Travis Browne, Wesley Blake, and Steve Cutler.

In regards to the status of Jessamyn Duke and Travis Browne, Meltzer reported that Duke has resumed her own training for a possible wrestling debut while it is unknown if Browne is also training to eventually become a professional wrestler.

Newest Ten Pounds of Gold Episode Focuses on Nick Aldis’ Hometown

The National Wrestling Alliance recently released a new episode of their Ten Pounds of Gold series on Youtube. This episode focuses on Nick Aldis first return to his hometown as the current NWA World Champion.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

All Star Wrestling recently updated the card for tonight’s show due to Tom Lawlor’s forearm injury suffered last week at an event for Absolute Intense Wrestling. Artemis Spencer was revealed to be Lawlor’s replacement and will be facing off against champion Davey Boy Smith Jr for the Stu Hart Heritage championship in the show’s main event.

Combat Zone Wrestling recently added a new match to the card of their March 10th show in Voorhees, New Jersey. This will be a singles match of Rich Swann versus Joe Gacy.

WrestleCircus announced several new matches have been added to the card of their March 24th show in Austin, Texas. These are Penta 0M versus Shane Strickland, Tessa Blanchard versus Chelsea Green, and a tag team match of Extra Talented versus Andy Dalton & Gregory James.