The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, Mimi, DDm, and khal returns to discuss WWE Survivor Series WarGames fallout before Kel Dansby joins to talk the 10-year anniversary celebration for The New Day, and MUCH MORE!
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The WWE IMPACT event took center stage at the Boys & Girls Club SunCoast Salvation Army Club in Tampa, FL, yesterday in a heartwarming display of community support and empowerment. In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Cricket Wireless, WWE unveiled its groundbreaking "SuperSpaces" program, designed to help local Boys & Girls Clubs renovate and upgrade the recreational areas of their community centers. With brand new furniture, electronics, supplies, and more, the Boys & Girls Club of the SunCoast at Salvation Army has given new life to its club member lounge and other common areas.
A WWE Superstar graced the event with his presence to celebrate the grand opening of the renovated space. As part of the celebration, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Candice LeRae, Natalya, and Titus O'Neil worked together to make the event a memorable one for the Boys & Girls Club members and the community.
A heartfelt tribute was paid to three outstanding club members who were instrumental in spearheading the renovation project. The Boys & Girls Club's mission to empower young individuals to reach their full potential was demonstrated by the dedication, creativity, and vision these young leaders demonstrated. As Club members were enthralled as the newly transformed space was unveiled. BGCA, WWE, and the Tampa community have collaborated to create a vibrant center for creativity, recreation, and camaraderie. Besides physical transformations, the event also recognized everyone's efforts.
This WWE IMPACT event at the Boys & Girls Club SunCoast Salvation Army Club in Tampa, FL, demonstrated the power of collaboration when organizations come together with a shared goal of uplifting and giving back to their communities. WWE and the BGCA have renovated physical spaces as well as renewed the spirit of possibility and hope within the hearts of young people, setting the stage for a brighter future through the "SuperSpaces" program. Our collaboration serves as an inspiration to communities around the world: working together, we can make a real difference and empower future generations.
Be sure to check out BRP's content on our website and our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive pro wrestling content.
Mimi, aka #TheWrestlingChic is the co-hosts of #TheBuckle aka #TurnbuckleTalk every Tuesday at 6:35 pm ET and contributes to the Black Rasslin' Podcast.
WWE Superstar Ettore "Big E" Ewen, journalist Andreas Hale, and graphic artist Jonathan Davenport had a chance encounter in 2020 that led to something special. At the time, Ewen's creative partners were simultaneously stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic and deeply affected by the murder of George Floyd. Faced with racial unrest around the world, they knew they had to do something. In order to find inspiration and solace for themselves and their community, the three creatives turned to each other and their creativity. Their coping culminated in Our Heroes Rock!. One of their chief influences was Schoolhouse Rock!, an animated series of educational short films (and later music videos) aired on the ABC network as part of its Saturday morning children's programming. Various topics were covered, including grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and civics. Its original run lasted from 1973 to 1985. Ewen, Hale, and Davenport designed Our Heroes Rock! to showcase unsung Heroes of Color in Black History in a similar (but enhanced) format.
Through the fusion of Hip-Hop music with stunning 3D animation and a family-friendly sci-fi feel, the result was to create fascinating short films with the hopes of educating audiences of all ages about important historical Black figures with an engaging approach. After cooking the concept in the kitchen, Ewen, Hale, and Davenport ran an overly successful crowdfunding campaign, which allowed them to grind for three years before partnering with animation studio Something's Awry and Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop artist Rapsody to create their first of hopefully many animated short film series installments, Bridges.
In October 2023, Big E announced that Bridges would be making its world premiere at the UrbanWorld Film Festival, which is an annual five-day festival based in New York City showcasing narrative and documentary features, short films, web originals, music videos, spotlight screenings and conversations, and live staged screenplay readings. Bridges was featured in the 7 Shorts: What Is Mine category, which showcased films from around the world highlighting characters with societal reflections, historical echoes, and personal reckonings, and the films featured moments of introspection, inspiration, conflict, and resilience.
Bridges follows the story of Maya, a lonely 12-year-old girl who struggles with social anxiety and is unable to connect with her peers. One day, Maya takes a virtual field trip to a futuristic Black History museum, The Hall of Heroes. With the help of E-Tour (voiced by Big E), the film explores the heroes of Black History. Maya joins a group of virtual students to discover the story of Ruby Bridges, an American civil rights activist who made history at six. In 1960, when the federal government ordered the New Orleans school system to integrate, Bridges became the first African-American student to attend a once-whites-only school. Many whites opposed to integration reacted with hostility and racism toward Bridges. Since only one teacher would teach her, Ruby was in a class of one, escorted to and from school by federal marshals. Though it was a struggle, Ruby demonstrated courage and perseverance despite the challenges. To this day, she represents racial equality in education.
By the film's end, Maya overcomes her fears and has gained the inspiration she needs to escape her shell—resilience, bravery, and acceptance for who you are bled through the story. Bridges celebrates diversity, courage, and friendship, inspiring the audience to embrace their authentic selves and overcome any obstacles. After the screening, the audience enjoyed a short panel discussion with the creators and stars of each film. Davenport, Ewen, and Hale shared the vision for this project, their passion for sharing history infused with music, and an ambition to make more films down the road.
Be sure to check out BRP's content on our website, and check out our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive pro wrestling content.
Mimi aka #TheWrestlingChic co-hosts #TurnbuckleTalk every Tuesday at 6:35pm ET and contributes to the Black Rasslin' Podcast.
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns with a LIVE that happened to fall on St. Patrick's Day. illfam79, Matth, Drip and khal have a wild time talking the Benny the Butcher show Fam attended, Matth's Banks story, and some other shenanigans. Later, the squad dives into the life of Scott Hall, an update on Big E's injury, Thunder Rosa winning the AEW Women's Championship, Sharmell's WWE Hall of Fame announcement, and more!
As professional wrestling fans, we understand there are instances where injuries will happen. It is never easy when they come unexpectedly.
Last week's episode of Friday Night Smackdown was held in Birmingham, AL, with a series of matches scheduled for the night. Former WWE Champions Big E and Champion Kofi Kingston represented The New Day against WWE Superstars Sheamus and Ridge Holland, accompanied by newly graduated WWE NXT, Butch, formerly "Pete Dunne." In a solid and agile match, the two worked a portion of the match ringside by commentary, where Holland delivered a belly-to-belly suplex to Big E.
Ewen, 36 unfortunately, suffered a Cervical Spine Fracture from the move. Though all parties appeared visibly unsettled, the contenders continued the match while paramedics prepped and escorted the beloved WWE Superstar to UAB Hospital for evaluation and observation.
Rochester, MN Physiatrist and sports fan Dr. Brian Sutterer gives a brief overview of the impact of the WWE Superstar’s injury: “Big E appears to have suffered a cervical spine fracture. Certainly a very serious injury, but he's extremely fortunate that, at least from his video, it seems like there was no neurologic damage. While serious, a fracture is much easier to repair and treat than if you have spinal cord damage, which could be permanent, resulting in paralysis.”
Dr. Sutterer is a subspecialist in sports medicine and pain management.
Big E is WWE “homegrown,” with 14+ years and 7 independent titles reigns under his belt. Fellow WWE Superstars and fans posted countless messages of love, support, and prayers for a speedy recovery.
I hope The New Day has an amazing day today & the path to Big E’s quick and speedy recovery starts now 🙏🏼💙 pic.twitter.com/XpNDb5ObZY
Big E also delivered fans a hopeful video update Saturday morning bedside via Twitter post: "So, I got some really good news, all things considered," he begins. "The C1 and C6 are indeed fractured, not displacement though, which is a very good thing. And I don't have any damage to my spinal cord, no ligament damage, and no surgery, which I'm very thankful for.”
“But for real, it’s meant a ton to me that so many of you have been so kind and reached out, stopped in to see me, texted me,” he said with an immense sense of gratitude. “I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel very grateful, and I’m going to be alright.”
The Black Rasslin Podcast wishes Big E much comfort and a speedy recovery.
Mimi is a superkickin’ copy-gal and TwitterSpaces co-host via @turnbucklespace Tuesdays at 7p & Fridays at 10p ET.
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns with a special LIVE episode with a Predictions Champion. illfam79, Matth, Drip and khal are joined by Big Mike and "Downtown" Tony Brown this week to talk all of the wrestling: Jade Cargill's TBS Championship win, Brock Lesnar / Bobby Lashley, that Wardlow / CM Punk match, Roman Reigns, and MUCH more, for real. Matth also drops details on the 2022 BRP Rumble Pool (hit the @blackrasslin DMs on Twitter and IG for more info), and Drip is putting the Predictions title on the line against Fam for this Sunday's Cowboys / 49ers Wild Card game. It's a wild show!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast is back with another banger. illfam79, Matth, Drip, and khal are joined by Wrassle Rap's Vin Forte to talk everything from this Monday's edition of Raw, AEW's Grand Slam edition of Dynamite, The Plane Ride From Hell episode of Dark Side of the Ring and the fallout, as well as a preview of Sunday's WWE Extreme Rules show.
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns to celebrate a major moment in pro wrestling. illfam79, Matth, Drip, and khal are all on hand to discuss Big E successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the WWE Championship from Bobby Lashley, as well as what the future could be for this story. They also discuss Powerhouse Hobbs attacking CM Punk, Roman Reigns versus Brock Lesnar, NXT 2.0, and MUCH more.
The time has come—the third annual #BRP50 list is here! COVID-19 put a hurt on the wrestling industry, but that doesn't mean we couldn't highlight the best Black professional wrestlers in the game today. We dropped a brief look at the criteria that goes into making a list like this, and now it's time for YOU to see that plan put into motion.
If you want to catch these first, you'll have to follow us on Instagram. We will be updating this post throughout the weekend until the final 10 is released this Saturday (Juneteenth 2021). Subscribe to our YouTube ASAP so you don't miss the Top 10 Reveal! [Ed note: You should also check out the After the 50 list that Black Rasslin' worked on with We Luv Wrestling!]
