Chairshot Wrestling News Shuffle: Warrior, Rayne, Race and more! (3/4/2019)

Jason shuffles in to your Chairshot Wrestling News Shuffle with commentary on Dana Warrior, Madison Rayne, Harley Race and more!

Dana Warrior Hired By WWE For A Writing Role

One of the biggest news updates over the weekend was the report from ProWrestlingSheet in regards to the WWE hiring Dana Warrior joining the WWE writing team. There seems to be discussion to what exactly her role is, as one report had her currently in a writing role, while another had her shadowing writers, providing perspective on the female division.

Jason’s Take

My take on this will be a long one, so bear with me. I am not against the hire, however it is a head scratcher to me. Warrior has 0 experience in television, and in wrestling. While I understand the idea of a fresh perspective, what other job in a million dollar company can you get with no prior knowledge to the daily tasks you will be performing? If we are taking the fresh perspective angle, why Dana? Why not a random person off the street? Was she hired because of her name? As I said on the Chairshot Facebook, I may be “too old” of a wrestling fan who yells at kids on the lawn, but most of the successful writers of my time as a wrestling fan have been “wrestling people.” Jim Ross, Bill Watts, Jim Cornette, Kevin Sullivan, Paul Heyman, Triple H; all wrestling people who have successfully written during productive periods of wrestling. I do not care if the company hires man, woman, child, or space alien to write, as long as writing improves. But I just don’t understand this one.

Madison Rayne Returns To Impact

In Friday’s news shuffle, I talked about Madison Rayne leaving Ring Of Honor. It now appears that Rayne will be returning to IMPACT according to the company’s Twitter.

BREAKING: 5 time Knockouts Champion @MadisonRayne is returning to IMPACT Wrestling! pic.twitter.com/4eHff9cVL8

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 1, 2019

Jason’s Take

I thought there was a possibility that Rayne could head to AEW. No, seriously, I did. However a return to IMPACT makes sense as she is a 5 time Knockouts champion. IMPACT has improved on their writing, so it will be interesting to see where Rayne will fit in on the roster.

Two More Names Rumored For WWE Hall Of Fame

Various outlets broke the rumor this weekend that Brutus Beefcake and Torrie Wilson will be inducted in to the WWE Hall Of Fame as part of the Class of 2019. One of these outlets was WrestleVotes, which also broke the news of the Honky Tonk man being inducted, and has a track record of being correct when it come to wrestling news.

Exclusive: HOF news….

Torrie Wilson & Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake will be inducted as part of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) March 2, 2019

Harley Race Diagnose With Lung Cancer

Ric Flair broke the news this weekend that all time great Harley Race has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. However, Chapionship Wrestling from Hollywood owner David Marquez, who says that he’s spoken with the Race family and that the diagnosis is not terminal according to his Facebook post:

“I’ve just spoke to Harley Race’s family and it’s true, he has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer, but it’s not terminal. He’s being treated and supervised by his doctors. He is still very active in the Harley Race Wrestling Academy and his promotion World League Wrestling. Also, next weekend’s NWA Worlds Championship match at WLW’s “Night of Champions” is still on and previously I’ve already made plans to attend. Harley and his family appreciates everyone’s concern and asks that the public to allow him his space to rest.”

Jason’s Take

Race is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, so we send well wishes and prayers to him and his family.

Mustafa Ali Returns From Injury

A month ago, Mustafa Ali appeared to be headed for a World Championship match against Daniel Bryan at Fastlane, however, an injury derailed those potential plans. On the positive side, Ali returned from injury Saturday night at a house show in Minneapolis, MN.

Great match between @MustafaAliWWE & @WWEDanielBryan @ERICKROWAN #WWEMinny #WWEMinneapolis pic.twitter.com/QJL5JdyMEb

— Heidi (@aRegisteredNerd) March 3, 2019

Jason’s Take

It is good to see Ali back from injury. Even though he isn’t getting his title match yet, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen a few months from now. Regardless, with the rise of Kofi Kingston, the return of Kevin Owens, and now the return of Ali, SmackDown is quickly becoming the superior brand.