John Clark
1/28/2019
The EBWF Royal Rumble was a huge success with a shock win in the female division's rumble match. The men's outcome was also a bit unexpected because of Aiden English's Gateway Championship status, but right now it looks like the Drama King has two opportunities at the EBWF Championship. More great news coming out of the Royal Rumble is that it looks like the incredible, living EBWF legend, Torrie Wilson is here to stay for now. The 11x EBWF Women's Champion said on Twitter:
It's unclear how long the veteran plans on remaining with EBWF on this stint, but one thing is for sure, the EBWF Universe is happy to have her back."Still reeling from all the love I felt during the #RoyalRumble. That's exactly why no one can stay away forever! Thank you for the warm welcome back.
The 2019 Royal Rumble is reportedly the last the EBWF Universe will be seeing of Jimmy Havoc, at least for now. Havoc's departure from EBWF was said to be a huge surprise for other EBWF Talent, though it is rumored to have not been much of a surprise to EBWF's top brass. Sources say that EBWF and Jimmy Havoc began working on a contract extension after Fanniversary in Oct 2018. It seems that Havoc didn't want to extend his current contract, but rather, draw up a brand new one that saw him with more money and more fringe benefits. Insiders say that Wes Ikeda was amiable to this at first, but after Christmas Eve of Destruction, conversations between the two sides broke down. The story pf what happened in January varies depending on which source you speak to. Some sources indicate that Havoc told EBWF Creative that he wouldn't be back about one week before the Royal Rumble. The rest of the sources state that after difficult contract negotiations Ikeda decided not to have Havoc back, which would explain why Havoc was written off of TV in December and only brought back as a catalyst for pushing the returning Drew McIntyre. However this went down, it's safe to say that EBWF production, and possibly even Jimmy Havoc's stablemates had very little notice that he'd be leaving the company.
Congratulations are in order for Wes Ikeda and Natalie Neidhart. The couple, who married in September 2015, are expecting a child this spring. The 36-year-old Neidhart was seen backstage for the first time in many months, supporting her 42-year old husband, at the Royal Rumble event. Sources report she was visibly pregnant and sharing with her friends backstage that the baby was due in May. This is the second child for the couple, whose son, Christopher James, turns 6 next month. Wes and Natalie also have three other children from Ikeda's previous relationships, Blaine will be 20 in May and McKenzie turned 17 in September. Their daughter, Isabella, would be 22 today, but passed away at 16-years old after being fatally wounded in the mass shooting at EBWF Headquarters in October 2012.
