News & Notes: Cena Free Agent Update, ROH, Impact, WWE Sneakers

John Cena Free Agency Update

As previously reported, WWE has recently promoted John Cena as being a free agent for the hype towards his Smackdown return on July 4th. The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer recently mentioned WWE wants to be able to use Cena regularly for both brands since he is their only big draw left even if it goes against the idea of the brand split.

In an update to the news, the WWE recently released an article on their official website trying to offer some explanation to Cena’s free agent status. According to the article, Cena somehow became a free agent from the aftermath of the Superstar Shakeup but gave no others details.

Cena’s status as a Free Agent has the WWE Universe wondering exactly what that means for his future. WWE.com has learned that The Cenation Leader became a Free Agent during the Superstar Shake-up after WrestleMania, but not much else is known about what that status entails. Cena has been Team Blue through and through since the WWE Brand Extension, having been the third selection (seventh overall) of SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan in the WWE Draft.

Could Cena simply be staying with SmackDown LIVE when he returns? Or will he be saying goodbye to Team Blue and heading to Monday Night Raw? Find out when John Cena makes his return to WWE on the July 4 edition of SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!

Some ROH News and Notes

Ring of Honor recently announced two more matches have been added to the card for their upcoming Best in the World pay-per-view event. The first is a ROH TV Title match with Marty Scurll facing off against champion KUSHIDA. The other being an eight-man tag team match between Motor City Machine Guns, Jay White, and Jonathan Gresham facing off against The Rebellion.

Ring of Honor also announced some of the talent who will be appearing at their first ever War of the Worlds United Kingdom tour between August 17-20. Those appearing includes ROH champion Christopher Daniels, ROH Tag Team champions The Young Bucks, Jay Lethal, Kazarian, The Briscoes, Atlantis, Rey Bucanero, Ultimo Guerrero, and Mistico. The last four being from Mexico’s CMLL promotion.

Impact Wrestling to Hold Special Ceremony for Next Set of TV Tapings

Impact Wrestling announced they will be holding a special ceremony honoring those lost and affected from last year’s Pulse Nightclub attacks when they return to Orlando for the next set of Impact TV tapings on July 3rd. Monday was the one year anniversary of the tragedy which took place in the same city Impact Wrestling is located.

Official press statement:

As the world remembers the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016, IMPACT Wrestling stands alongside the survivors and honors the 49 victims of the shooting on this, the 1-year mark.

For most of the past 15 years, IMPACT Wrestling has called Orlando its home arena, filming TV shows at Universal Studios Florida. Therefore, the Pulse Nightclub tragedy also brings extra meaning to all of the IMPACT wrestlers, referees, production crew and front-office staff.

We know there will be tears on Monday; we’re crying too, but standing strong for all.

On the next Monday that IMPACT Wrestling is in Orlando, which will be July 3rd, the company will have a special ceremony to honor all of those impacted by this tragedy, which directly impacted the LGBTQ, the LatinX and other communities of color.

IMPACT Wrestling remembers the victims and those impacted by the Pulse Nightclub tragedy.

WWE Partnering with Puma and Foot Locker on New Sneakers Series

Puma announced they are partnering with the WWE and Foot Locker on a new series of WWE branded sneakers. The sneakers were revealed to be Money in the Bank inspired Million Dollar Man themed, limited to 100 pairs, $500 price tag each, and goes on sale this Saturday at select Foot Locker locations. Each pair of sneakers comes with a Money in the Bank themed briefcase.

NEW collab between @footlocker @wwe @puma .In 9 stores & https://t.co/IMJUgSIqlJ Sat! Shirts/Kicks sold separately. Pardon cam in reverse 😂 pic.twitter.com/gmUpSCyDj4

— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) June 13, 2017