Month: October 2021

Minoru Suzuki Coming Soon To Impact Wrestling

New Japan Pro-Wrestling icon Minoru Suzuki is coming soon to Impact Wrestling.

Impact announced his soon-to-be arrival through a career highlight video package. This will be the first time Suzuki has worked for the company.

Known for his vicious poise in the ring, the “King of Pro Wrestling” has made his rounds in America recently by competing New Japan Strong, PWX, West Coast Pro, GCW, and AEW.

Tonight, Suzuki will return to AEW to face Bryan Danielson on Rampage‘s Buy-In event at 9 pm ET on YouTube.

Suzuki is the fifth member of the New Japan roster to have worked with Impact this calendar year. He follows Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Jay White, Satoshi Kojima and El Phantasmo.

Tony Khan Reveals He Suffered Injury During AEW Segment

With Tony Khan mostly staying behind the scenes of AEW, an injury would seem unlikely. And yet the AEW President has recently found himself on the AEW Injury Report. In an interview with the New York Post, Khan revealed he had been hurt in an off camera incident at AEW Grand Slam, where American Top Team’s Junior dos Santos injured Khan’s ribs.

“He cracked them (my ribs),” Khan said. “I’ll be OK. But he legitimately cracked them. I’ll be OK. It’s been a few weeks, but I’m sleeping on my right side.”

The incident occurred following the match between Inner Circle members Chris Jericho and Jake Hager take on the Men of the Year (Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky), where American Top Team members (including dos Santos) laid Jericho and Hager out. Khan would confront American Top Team on the ramp right after, where the two, according to Khan, improvised a spot that led to the injury.

“It felt just right in the moment,” Khan said. “It was just kind of improvised. He’s a very strong man. I love the gasp pop it got. I was definitely asking for it.”

Khan doesn’t hold any ill will towards dos Santos, and even revealed that he no sold the injury to those in the back, returning to his seat in the GO position as if everything was fine. He’s also thrilled with the work dos Santos and American Top Team have put in thus far, both in giving AEW attention in helping to elevate Sky and Page.

“We built something very strong now with American Top Team and AEW,” Khan said. “We’ve gotten great crossover media opportunities because of dos Santos, (Jorge) Masvidal, Paige VanZant and Andrei Arlovski. It’s given good visibility and credibility to AEW and also Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page.”

dos Santos, accompanied by fellow MMA star Jorge Masvidal, will make his in ring debut for AEW this Saturday on a special AEW Dynamite, teaming with Sky and Page to take on Chris Jericho, Jake Hager and AEW TNT Champion Sammy Guevara. Given his experience with dos Santos, Khan expects him to be a handful for the Inner Circle members.

“I’m fine. I’m a not wuss,” Khan stated. “But he did break my ribs. So he’s going to be a handful in the ring for sure. I can tell you.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Talk On WWE Knowing They Have An Issue With The Age Of The Main Roster

WWE officials are reportedly looking at getting more younger talents ready for the main roster.

A new report from Wrestling Observer Radio noted that WWE officials are very much aware of the idea that they have a lot of 40 year old Superstars on the main roster.

This is said to be the reason for the recent WWE NXT 2.0 brand changes as the company absolutely realizes they have to get wrestlers in their 20s ready for the main roster.

While there might be a feeling among some fans that WWE is in denial over the shape of the main roster, especially when it comes to the age of current talents and the lack of younger stars for the future, that is reportedly not the case as officials are “more than aware” of the problem, and are making changes to fix it.

WWE currently has 22 main roster Superstars who are 40 or older – Asuka (40), Cesaro (40), Finn Balor (40), Kofi Kingston (40), RAW Tag Team Champion Randy Orton (41), WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura (41), Shayna Baszler (41), The Miz (41), Dolph Ziggler (41), John Morrison (42), Sheamus (43), Tamina Snuka (43), AJ Styles (44), Jeff Hardy (44), Titus O’Neil (44), Bobby Lashley (45), Robert Roode (45), Rey Mysterio (46), Shelton Benjamin (46), MVP (47), WWE Hall of Famer Edge (47), R-Truth (49). Furthermore, part-timers like Brock Lesnar (44), John Cena (44) and WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg (54) are also used. There are also dozens of Superstars in their mid-30s and who are pushing 40, such as Natalya (39) and WWE United States Champion Damian Priest (39).

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Won’t Run TLC Pay-Per-View In 2021?

WWE reportedly isn’t planning to hold the annual TLC pay-per-view in 2021. The company has performed the show every year since 2009.

The WWE TLC pay-per-view runs annually in the month of December, but it sounds like the show won’t be happening this year.

Previously, an unnamed pay-per-view was scheduled to run on Dec. 12 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Several weeks ago, it was reported that TLC 2021 would actually run on Dec. 12.

However, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlingNews.co), that WWE isn’t actually running a pay-per-view in December. Meltzer added “the feeling is now” running 12 pay-per-views annually. Instead of a TLC December show, WWE will have the “Day 1” pay-per-view on Jan. 1 (a Saturday) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

With that, there are only two WWE pay-per-views remaining for 2021. Crown Jewel will be held next Thursday at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Barring a change of plans, Survivor Series will be the final PPV event of 2021 — at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 21.

Regarding other WWE pay-per-views that were held in 2020 but excluded this year include Payback (Aug. 30 of last year), and Clash of Champions (held in 2019 and 2020). Backlash was renamed “WrestleMania Backlash” this year, having featured several WrestleMania 37 rematches.

WWE performs two shows in Saudi Arabia annually, but they were only able to run the one in 2020 (Super ShowDown on Feb. 27) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crown Jewel 2021 will be the lone WWE pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia this year.

WWE performed TLC every year from 2009 to 2020, but it looks like they’re keen on changing things up this year. Instead of a December pay-per-view, there will be two PPVs in January — the aforementioned Day One event on Jan. 1 and the annual Royal Rumble. That show will be held on Jan. 29 inside The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Source: TheSportster

Impact Wrestling Preview 10/14/21

It’s a loaded IMPACT! just nine nights away from IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory! Don’t miss a moment of the action, this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV.

* Before IMPACT World Champion Christian Cage and Josh Alexander collide in one of the most anticipated Bound For Glory main events of all time, they will participate in the Bound For Glory Summit 

* Battle Royal: Win the Battle Royal and you enter the Call Your Shot Gauntlet at Bounf For Glory last – but come in second place and you enter first

* Chris Bey vs. Chris Sabin

* The tournament to crown a new X-Division Champion continues: El Phantasmo vs. Rohit Raju vs. Willie Mack 

* Savannah Evans vs. Lady Frost

* VSK vs. Rich Swann

* The action begins on Before the IMPACT, this Thursday at 7/6c on AXS TV. Following the closure of Swinger’s Palace, Hernandez turns his focus to in-ring competition when he takes on Fallah Bahh! 

Ted DiBiase And His Sons Ordered To Repay Millions By State Auditor

WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase and his two sons are part of a group ordered to repay millions in misspent government funds

Ted DiBiase and his two sons are among a group of people ordered to repay large sums of misspent welfare money.

WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase and his two sons Ted Jr. and Brett find themselves tangled up in an investigation that now sees the three of them having to repay almost $5 million to the state of Mississippi. The investigation, which has been making headlines since 2020 due to the involvement of former NFL star Brett Favre, revolves around misspent welfare money.

State auditor Shad White has concluded his investigation and issued orders to those he believes are on the hook for repayments that tally up to $77 million. The DiBiases are on the hook for more than $4.8 million of that total, with DiBiase Jr. being ordered to repay an eye-watering $3.9 million. His father has been ordered to repay $722,000.

The investigation began when Brett DiBiase, along with five others, was arrested for embezzling welfare funds in Mississippi. Brett was a deputy administrator at the Mississippi Department of Human Services at the time and is one of only two people caught up in the scheme so far to have pleaded guilty. Ted Jr. was paid the money for his motivational speaking, while The Million Dollar Man received the money via his Christian ministry.

As touched upon above, Favre is the reason this case has been getting so much mainstream attention. Favre was originally accused of receiving $1.1 million of money for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The retired footballer paid back $500,000 of that money. He has now been ordered to repay $828,000 which accounts for the remaining $600,000 plus interest.

DiBiase has actually been working with WWE while this investigation was being conducted. The Hall of Famer worked with Cameron Grimes and LA Knight in NXT, reintroducing the Million Dollar Championship for the two of them to feud over. If the DiBiases, Favre, and everyone else ordered to repay the misspent funds refuse to do so, then they will face civil lawsuits in the future.

Source: Mississippi Today via TheSportster

MLW Fusion ALPHA Preview 10/13/21

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with Fusion: ALPHA, featuring the opening round of the 2021 Opera Cup, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • Tom Lawlor vs. Davey Richards – Opera Cup Opening Round
  • Calvin Tankman vs. Lee Moriarty
  • Delmi Exo vs. Brittany Blake

FIGHTLAND fallout! What’s next for NEW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone? What’s the fate of the National Openweight Championship? Rumor has it Hammerstone and Cesar Duran have a very important meeting.

8 men. One shot at history. The 2021 Opera Cup begins tonight, presented by newlawoffice.com.

A technical shoot out between two dangerous grapplers kicks off this year’s tournament as 2020 Opera Cup winner Tom Lawlor tests his violent knockout power and dirty tricks against the multidimensional submission game of Davey Richards.

Can “Filthy” Tom take Davey out early and advance on to going back-to-back and reclaim the cup for one more year? Or will “The American Wolf” make a statement and eliminate the decorated former MLW World Heavyweight Champion? 

In the wake of FIGHTLAND, how will CONTRA retaliate on MLW and Hammerstone?

The Heavyweight Hustle rumbles with the master of TAIGASTYLE! Power collides with technique as Tankman readies for the Opera Cup against another competitor in non-tournament action. Could we see a preview of the Cup finals in this clash?

The Featherweights thrive as ½ of the Sea Stars Delmi Exo makes her MLW singles debut against devious rule breaker Brittany Blake. 

A scandal unraveled? Broadcast journalist Alicia Atout has an exclusive expose as she examines matchmaker Cesar Duran. Following last week’s Embedded, what scoops will Alicia score this week? Tune in to find out!

Injustice takes to the streets with a message for 5150!

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Dombrowski and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA! 

AEW Adds Buy-In To Friday’s Rampage, Tony Khan Backtracks On Competition Comments

AEW seems serious about getting more viewers than SmackDown this week, but Tony Khan has walked back what he said about competition.

AEW has added a Buy-In show to this Friday’s Rampage in response to WWE tacking an extra 30 minutes onto the end of SmackDown.

Wrestling wars on television have usually been reserved for shows happening on the same night and in the same timeslot. Raw and Nitro battling on Monday, Dynamite going head to head with NXT. However, now that NXT has moved to Tuesdays and AEW‘s audience continues to grow, Dynamite’s numbers are being compared to Raw’s especially when it comes to key demographics.

Raw can take a break this week. Not just because Dynamite has been moved to Saturday, but also because all eyes will be on SmackDown and Rampage. Last week, WWE announced SmackDown will be Supersized this Friday and run for two and a half hours. That means the final 30 minutes of the show will run at the same time as the first half of Rampage.

Tony Khan responded to the news by tweeting that he can’t wait to beat WWE’s “main show”. In what is presumably an attempt to drum up as much interest in Rampage as possible, AEW has now announced it will be holding an hour-long Buy-In for Friday night’s show on its YouTube channel. The pre-show will include a match between Bryan Danielson and Minoru Suzuki, the first time the pair has clashed since 2004.

https://twitter.com/WFAN660/status/1447953614450872321

Not only is the Buy-In an attempt to get as many people to tune in to Rampage at 10 pm, but it also technically means an AEW show will now be going up against SmackDown for a full 90 minutes. However, Khan has backed down a little since the comments he made abiut beating WWE over the weekend.

“It’s not about competing with them. It’s about doing our best show,” Khan admitted during an appearance on Moose & Maggie. Whether this Friday is considered competition by either side or not, the numbers after the fact are going to be dissected no matter what. It’s hard to imagine Rampage will draw more viewers than SmackDown, but it will be fun to compare the two to see how they differ from previous weeks when both are on at the same time.

Source: TheSportster

WWE NXT 2.0 Preview 10/12/21

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 episode will feature a NXT North American Title match and the build for Halloween Havoc will continue.

* NXT North American Champion Isaiah “Swerve” Scott defends against Santos Escobar

* NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa vs. Joe Gacy in a non-title match. If Gacy wins, he will be added to Bron Breakker vs. Ciampa for the NXT Title at Halloween Havoc

* Von Wagner and Kyle O’Reilly vs. Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne

* The second edition of “Lashing Out with Lash Legend”

Velvet Sky Says Jeff Hardy “Deserves Way More”

On Monday’s RAW, Jeff Hardy went up against Austin Theory after Theory took out Hardy the week prior. Near the end of the match, Hardy missed a swanton bomb and Theory rolled him up (while also grabbing his belt/pants) for the pinfall victory.

This loss was the latest in a string of losses Hardy has had over the past few weeks (WWE US Champion Damian Priest, 6-Man Tag Match, and a US Title Triple Threat at Extreme Rules) despite still receiving big cheers from the fans.

NWA Commentator Velvet Sky commented about Hardy and WWE’s usage of the veteran star.

“[In my honest opinion], Jeff Hardy deserves way more than how he’s being used,” Sky wrote.

https://twitter.com/VelVelHoller/status/1447736625346265089

A fan in the comments questioned if Hardy going over someone new, like Theory, was really the way to go, instead.

“No I didn’t say that at all,” Sky responded. “I don’t have a problem with vets putting over younger talent. But with Jeff he gets buried week after week.”