Chairshot Wrestling News Shuffle: News Involving Ashley Massaro, Ric Flair, NXT, and More! (5/17/19)

News here! News involving Ashley Massaro, Ric Flair, NXT Tag Titles, and More!

Ric Flair Medical Scare?

TMZ Sports broke news Thursday morning that Ric Flair suffered a medical emergency that they quoted as being “very serious.” Later in the day, Conrad Thompson would refute that report and stated that Flair had a planned procedure, but wouldn’t elaborate on any further details. TMZ Sports would post and update from Flair’s wife, Wendy Barlow, and she said:

“Due to ongoing health complications, Ric was taken to the hospital and is expected to undergo a procedure tomorrow morning, after which he expects to fully recovery.”

Jason’s Take

It’s hard to believe everything you read when it comes to wrestling, so that’s why you should be reading the Chairshot everyday. We sort through the bullshit so you don’t have to. On that note, hopefully things are ok with the Nature Boy. Reading news on Flair like this makes me a little nervous, especially with the medical scare he had in 2017. But it looks like even death itself taps out to the Figure Four.

Alexa Bliss Pulled From Money In The Bank

WWE Tweeted this morning that Alexa Bliss has been pulled from the Money In The Bank ladder match, and has been replaced by Nikki Cross. The reason given by WWE is that Alexa has not been medically cleared to compete. Dave Meltzer is reporting that the reason is indeed injury related, and possibly due to Alexa’s concussion history.

Jason’s Take

If the company was worried about her concussion history and her participating in a ladder match, why did they attempt to put her in it in the first place?

NXT Tag Titles Vacated

WWE has announced that the NXT Tag Team Championships have been vacated. This shouldn’t be a surprise with the Viking Raiders being called up to the main roster. WWE’s storyline reasoning is due to the controversial ending of the title match between The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits that aired on Wednesday’s episode of NXT. This show was taped on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, from Winter Park, FL at the Full Sail University. William Regal will address the situation on next week’s episode of NXT.

It’s official: The NXT #TagTeamTitles have been vacated. #WWENXT https://t.co/jtpBO6TJ20

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) May 16, 2019

Jason’s Take

I’m not really shocked that the Viking Raiders were stripped of the titles. The real question is who the next team is that will be crowned champions? Could the Undisputed Era regain the titles?

Kurt Angle On AEW

Kurt Angle is one of the handful of wrestlers who is no stranger to leaving WWE, and re-vitalizing his career with another promotion. So, rightfully, Angle would be someone to ask on thoughts of AEW competing with WWE. Angle spoke with Wrestling Inc on Thursday, and gave some of his thoughts on AEW.

“I want the fans to be excited about it. I’m gonna tell you this though, and I don’t wanna come around in five years and say ‘I told you so.’ Listen, WWE is the No. 1 brand and will always be No. 1…There’s no way in heck anybody’s gonna catch up to them. If this company… I’m not daring them, I’m just saying it’s not bad to be No. 2. If you’re gonna set out to be No. 1, then you’re gonna spend a lot of F’n money,”

Jason’s Take

WWE will always be around in some way, shape, or form. WCW Monday Nitro wasn’t going to catch WWE. Paul Heyman famously said that Nitro would be dead in 3 months. While the odds will be stacked against AEW, never say never.

Ashley Massaro Passes Away At 39

In a bit of shocking news, former WWE Diva, Ashley Massaro, has passed away at 39 according to TMZ sports. Massaro was transported from her home in Suffolk County, NY to a nearby hospital where she died early Thursday morning.

Jason’s Take

WOW. Only 39 years old, 3 years older than myself. Thoughts and prayers to her family in this difficult time