Jim Ross Headed To Chicago This Weekend + Various News

-- WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is in Chicago this weekend to perform his one man show. Ross was interviewed about the appearance, as well as his relationship with Vince McMahon, his favorite matches and more at this link. As most of you know, WWE's Payback pay-per-view also takes place from Chicago, IL on Sunday night.

-- Battles, Bouts, and Brawls: The Story of Pro-Wrestling will have its premiere this weekend at the Maple Theater in West Bloomfield, Michigan. More details available here.

Also read: Highlights From Jim Ross Latest Q&A: CM Punk Returning & More

-- Gregory Davis sent this one in: Matt Capiccioni (aka MDogg20 Matt Cross) will finally be apart of NBC's American Ninja Warrior. Monday's Countdown show featured an interview with him, and he competed at the St. Louis qualifiers, which will air on Monday June 9. You can view the interview (28:30 minutes in) at this link.

WWE's European Tour Is Over - Crews Headed Home

WWE's crew will fly back to the United States today. The European tour is now over with the final live events today in Berlin and Rotterdam.

The US shows start up with RAW in Knoxville, Tennessee on Monday and the SmackDown TV tapings on Tuesday in Atlanta, GA, the final episodes before WWE Payback next Sunday.

As you'd imagine, the crews are exhausted and can't wait to return home to the United States.

Ex-WWE Developmental Wrestler Headed To TNA?

Tom Latimer, formerly known as Kenneth Cameron in NXT, worked a tryout match for TNA recently. At this time, he is under the impression that TNA will offer him a contract. Latimer is married to Ric Flair's daughter and NXT Diva, Charlotte.

Latimer was released by WWE back in November of 2012, after he was arrested early Thanksgiving morning on charges of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Disorderly Intoxication.

Presser: Hulk Hogan Headed To Japan With WWE

WWE issued the following today:

HULK HOGAN RETURNS TO JAPAN

TOKYO, Japan, April 24, 2014 – WWE® (NYSE:WWE) today announced that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan will appear at WWE Live in Tokyo on Friday, July 11 and in Osaka on Saturday, July 12.

A larger-than-life pop-culture icon, Hogan is one of the biggest names in WWE history. Earlier this month, Hogan was the host of WrestleMania® 30 at a sold out Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. He has also appeared on WWE’s flagship television program Monday Night Raw® and on WWE Network.

“Hulkamania™” was officially born on January 23, 1984 when Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to become WWE Champion at Madison Square Garden. He headlined WrestleMania III, where he successfully defended the WWE Championship against Andre The Giant in front of a record 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome. Hogan went on to win six WWE Championships, starred in movies, television shows and became an idol to a vast legion of fans he dubbed “Hulkamaniacs™.” Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone.

“Words cannot express how excited I am to be back in the WWE family,” said Hulk Hogan. “I only have one question for the WWE Universe in Japan: ‘whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild in Tokyo and Osaka, brother?’”

WWE Live takes place on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and on Saturday, July 12 at Maishima Arena in Osaka. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Saturday.

Lucha Show Headed To ECW Arena + Various News

-- Masked Republic is holding a lucha libre show on April 27th in the former ECW Arena in Philadlephia, Pennsylvania. The show is starting at 5 PM ET and takes place the day after Extreme Rising's Anniversary show, with the two partnering and sharing talent for their respective events.The show is set to be officially announced next week, and tickets will go on sale Tuesday. Talent currently set for the show include LA Park (aka La Parka), Dr. Wagner Jr., Sabu, Damien 666, Bestia, El Exotico ...