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Fight Size Update: WWE Hall Of Famers Further Comment On Gene Okerlund's Passing, Cody Injury Update, Tiger Hattori, More

Wrestling
Andrew Thompson Jan 6, 2019 7:00PM

Here's your Fight Size wrestling Update for the evening of January 6th, 2019.

- WWE Hall Of Famer "Mean" Gene Okerlund passed away on January 2nd and the wrestling world is still sharing their thoughts about Gene and the memories that were shared with him. Busted Open Radio has three videos posted on their YouTube channel with Ric Flair, Jim Ross and Eric Bischoff respectively sharing their thoughts on the passing of Gene Okerlund.

Tony Khan Wears Neck Brace During 2024 NFL Draft

- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson engaged in a friendly social media exchange with Milwaukee Bucks Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

- A clip has gone viral from Kazuchika Okada and Jay White's Wrestle Kingdom 13 match edited onto the big screen of a bar and when Okada revealed that he had on his signature trunks the crowd went crazy.

- WWE asked the question on their social media platforms: Who would win a match between Becky Lynch and John Cena?

- Chris Jericho noted on Instagram that longtime referee Tiger Hattori refereed his last Tokyo Dome show.

- Cody provided an update on how his knee is doing during a Q&A session and noted that he should not be walking on it and that his knee is "shot".

- Following New Year's Dash, Zack Sabre Jr. and Minoru Suzuki issued the challenge to EVIL and SANADA for the IWGP Tag Team Championships.

- WWE is adding a Rusev collection to the Network and here's the content listing for the set according to WWE Network News:

Training Hard and Waiting (Interview)
Rusev goes back in time to share some rare insight into his early days competing as Alexander Rusev in Florida Championship Wrestling.

FCW 05/26/2011 – Alexander the Great
Florida Championship Wrestling bears witness to the future of WWE, as Alexander Rusev explains the power behind his name.

FCW 07/17/2011 – Strength and Ability
In this match from Florida Championship Wrestling, Alexander Rusev looks to prove his dominance by going one-on-one with Mike Dalton.

Well, That Was a Wake Up Call (Interview)
Rusev shares his thoughts on his transition from Florida Championship Wrestling to NXT, and the addition of his ravishing counterpart, Lana.

NXT 08/21/2013 – Changing Presentations
Determined to make a name for himself in NXT, Alexander Rusev switches gears as he takes to the ring to battle Dolph Ziggler.

NXT 10/23/2013 – A Ravishing Ally
Lana introduces herself to the WWE Universe by accompanying Alexander Rusev to the ring for one-on-one action against CJ Parker.

NXT 01/01/2014 – In All the Right Places
Alexander Rusev continues to dominate the competition when Kofi Kingston journeys to NXT to battle The Bulgarian Brute.

NXT 02/05/2014 – Imposing Examples
The quick and high-flying tactics of Sin Cara prove to be no match against the imposing dominance of Alexander Rusev.

NXT Arrival 02/27/2014 – Rise for the Next Generation
Everyone is forced to rise for the future of sports entertainment when Alexander Rusev interrupts a singles bout.

The Rusev Legacy Starts Now (Interview)
Rusev recalls his debut on WWE’s main roster, while sharing some insight into his early battles and eventual confrontation with The Rock.

RAW 04/07/2014 – The Bulgarian Brute Invades
After Lana unveils her client to the WWE Universe, Alexander Rusev proves his in-ring abilities in a match against Zack Ryder.

Extreme Rules 2014 – In Dedication
Before Rusev looks to dominate the duo of R-Truth and Xavier Woods, Lana dedicates the bout to one of her heroes.

RAW 07/07/2014 – The Pride of Mother Russia
With Lana by his side, Rusev takes to the ring to crush the legacy of ‘Mr. Monday Night’ Rob Van Dam.

SummerSlam 2014 – Raise the Banner
Jack Swagger’s patriotism is put to the test in a Flag Match against Lana’s Bulgarian Brute, Rusev.

RAW 10/06/2014 – Superior Greatness
While continuing to mock and insult the people of the USA, Rusev and Lana are confronted by The People’s Champion.

Hell in a Cell 2014 – The Bigger They Come
Another sizeable opponent steps up to silence the rhetoric of Lana and Rusev when Big Show takes on The Super Athlete.

For Mother Russia! (Interview)
Rusev revisits his first reign as the United States Champion, and shares his memories of his swift rise to prominence on the main roster.

RAW Backstage Pass 11/03/2014 – Glory in Infamy
In a match seen exclusively on the WWE Network, Rusev takes to the ring to challenge Sheamus for the coveted United States Championship.

RAW 11/10/2014 – The Beacon of Excellence
With the United States Championship around his waist, Rusev’s newest accolade is celebrated by his allies.

SmackDown 11/28/2014 – Overcoming the Odds
Rusev stacks the odds against himself by putting the United States Championship on the line in a Battle Royal.

RAW 01/12/2015 – No Leg to Stand On
When defending the United States Championship against Dean Ambrose, Rusev shows his ability to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses.

I Learned Everything from John (Interview)
Rusev remembers his unforgettable battles with John Cena, and the unbelievable heights he reached during this rivalry.

RAW 02/09/2015 – Declaring War on the CeNation
While waging a deeply personal war against WWE’s most patriotic Superstars, Rusev finds himself at odds with John Cena.

Fastlane 2015 – The Fighting Spirit
Despite John Cena’s best efforts, Rusev looks to crush his American nemesis and retain the United States Championship.

WrestleMania 31 – Patriots and Super Athletes
In his first match on The Grandest Stage of Them All, Rusev defends the United States Championship against John Cena.

Extreme Rules 2015 – The Chains that Bind
Rusev tries to reclaim the United States Championship from John Cena in a Russian Chain Match.

People Love Lana (Interview)
Rusev reflects on his initial split from Lana, and the inevitable fallout that resulted in a very public backlash.

RAW 05/18/2015 – There is No Lana!
Frustrations over his recent losses lead Rusev to make a devastating decision to sever ties with Lana.

RAW 05/25/2015 – More than Saying Sorry
After shaming Lana with a public firing, Rusev sees the error of his ways and offers an olive branch to his ravishing accomplice.

SummerSlam 2015 – Summertime Sadness
With revenge on his mind, Rusev takes to the ring with the intent of crushing Dolph Ziggler for his involvement with Lana.

Not Your Punching Bag (Interview)
Rusev gives his perspective on teaming with the ill-fated League of Nations, and comments on his rivalry with Roman Reigns.

SmackDown 12/03/2015 – A League of Nations
Rusev and his international allies take to the ring for action, as the newly formed League of Nations battles Roman Reigns.

WrestleMania 32 – Allied Powers
Rusev, Alberto Del Rio, and Sheamus represent their League of Nations in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against The New Day.

Extreme Rules 2016 – Return to Dominance
Kalisto’s reign as United States Champion is threatened by Rusev in this battle for the gold.

Hell in a Cell 2016 – To Crush an Empire
Rusev enters the fabled ‘Devil’s Playground’ to challenge Roman Reigns for the United States Championship.

SmackDown 09/19/2017 – The Lion and The Viper
After Randy Orton lays waste to Aiden English, Rusev steps into the ring to crush The Viper in singles action.

SmackDown 09/26/2017 – The Pride of Bulgaria
Rusev is presented with another prestigious honor during a special ‘Pride of Bulgaria’ ceremony.

I Declare Today, Rusev Day!!! (Interview)
After endearing himself to the WWE Universe with the inception of the hugely popular ‘Rusev Day’, Rusev shares his thoughts on the future.

SmackDown 10/31/2017 – Every Day is Rusev Day
Rusev Day goes up against The New Day, as Rusev takes to the ring to go one-on-one with Big E.

Mixed Match Challenge S1E5 – Ravishing Rusev Day is Born
Rusev and Lana unite as a ravishing team to battle the unusual duo of Elias and Bayley.

WrestleMania 34 – A Familiar Opportunity
Rusev looks to put the United States Championship around his waist once again in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the title.

Extreme Rules 2018 – You Must Be Phenomenal
Rusev finally gets the opportunity that has eluded him, as he challenges AJ Styles for the WWE Championship.

SmackDown 09/11/2018 – Bar None
Rusev and Aiden English take on The Bar to earn Rusev Day a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.

SmackDown 10/23/2018 – One Night in The Accolade
After Aiden English’s accusations against Lana were proven false, Rusev looks for revenge on his former friend.

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