Month: December 2023

The NWA Adds Another Promotion To Its List Of Territories

The National Wrestling Alliance has added a new promotion to its territories — Joe Cazana Promotions. The promotion announced its new working relationship on the social media site, X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Did you see the big announcement? JCP is now officially a territory of the National Wrestling Alliance! Now along with @ExoProWrestling, they’ll be a part of growing the Alliance and developing the next generation of professional wrestlers! @CazanaJoe @Billy,” wrote NWA.

The owner of the promotion and its namesake, Joe Cazana, who wrestled in the NWA and WCW in the late ’80s and early ’90s, also reacted to the news on X.

“I’m so very humbled and appreciative of @Billy and all the super talent that made last night possible. Special thanks to @drtomprichard @TheRealTMurdoch @MissaKate23 @JoeGalliNews @nwa and there in spirit @KyleDavisATL now it’s time to get to work. NWA/JCP Southeast,” wrote Cazana.

JCP was created in 2017 in the Tennessee area. The promotion and the NWA held a joint event this past Saturday, “How Coalfield Stole Christmas” in Coalfield, Tennessee. Scheduled to appear at the event were several NWA stars including the current NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino, former two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion Trevor Murdoch, NWA World Women’s Champion Kenzie Page, the former NWA United States Tag Team Champions Country Gentleman (A.J. Cazana and Anthony Andrews), and NWA World Television Champion Mims. It was at this event that the NWA first announced that JCP was going to be part of one of the company’s territories.

The NWA’s next big live event is PARANOIA, which will be on January 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 12/2/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision airs live on TNT at 8:00 pm EST. from the Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania.

  • AEW Continental Classic Match (Blue League): Bryan Danielson (0) vs. Eddie Kingston (0)
  • AEW Continental Classic Match (Blue League): Daniel Garcia (0) vs. Andrade El Idolo (0)
  • AEW Continental Classic Match (Blue League): Claudio Castagnoli (3) vs. Brody King (3)

Merger between Dwayne Johnson’s XFL and USFL approved for March 2024 launch

A report from Sports Business Journal has indicated that federal regulators have approved the merger of the XFL and the USFL.

The combined league is now set for its debut on March 30, 2024 to play a combined season, with terms being finalized of the definitive agreement per a statement from both parties.

The USFL, owned by Fox Sports, re-launched in 2021, while the XFL was purchased by RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Dany Garcia before playing a full season in 2022, following a shortened season in 2020.

Source: NBCSports via eWn

Report – Nearly 34,000 AEW All In 2024 Tickets Sold On The First Day

AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter on Friday to announce that the AEW All In 2024 pay-per-view event has already grossed $4 million on the first day of ticket sales.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1730742435989356753

According to a report from WrestleTix, 33,923 tickets have been distributed so far. The current setup allows for 44,452 fans to be in attendance. As of this writing, there are 10,529 tickets still available. It should be noted that more tickets will be released as time goes on.

AEW All In 2024 is still nearly nine months away and no matches have been announced for the show as of this writing. The event takes place on Sunday, August 25, from the historic Wembley Stadium in London, England.

https://twitter.com/WrestleTix/status/1730759589136642184

Source: eWn

AEW World Champ MJF Won’t Get Surgery, Thinks He Can Work ‘Careful Matches Or Smoke And Mirrors Matches’

MJF is currently dealing with two significant injuries — a torn labrum and a dislocated hip — but the AEW World Champion reportedly plans to work through the pain. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, MJF won’t be getting surgery to fix either injury, and will instead be undergoing stem cell therapy and rehab to get ready for his title defense against Samoa Joe at Worlds End.

The 27-year-old reportedly opted against surgery, as going under the knife would put him on the shelf for a couple of months. It’s presently unknown if MJF plans to work any more matches before his clash against Joe, but WON notes MJF believes he can deliver “careful matches or smoke and mirrors matches” in the lead-up to AEW’s last pay-per-view of 2023. This injury isn’t new to MJF, as he worked through a torn labrum at Double or Nothing 2020, where he wrestled Jack Perry in a critically acclaimed match between two of AEW’s four pillars. However, the tear he’s dealing with currently is said to be worse than his previous one.

MJF announced the news of his shoulder injury via X, informing fans an MRI revealed he had suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. According to Dave Meltzer, MJF suffered the tear while on the receiving end of a top rope Uranage from Jay White at Full Gear, aggravating his already injured shoulder in the process. As for the hip injury, MJF got hurt while delivering an elbow drop off the top rope to White on the floor. The original intent was for White to be placed on the announce table rather than the floor, which would have broken MJF’s fall, but the table collapsed prematurely. MJF dislocated his hip later in the match, and since then, Meltzer’s sources say that his swelling has subsided but he continues to deal with pain. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 12/1/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • Danhausen, Orange Cassidy, Hook & Trent Beretta vs. Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
  • The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in action
  • Saraya, Ruby Soho & Anna Jay vs. Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue
  • Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Brian Cage & The WorkHorsemen’s JD Drake & Anthony Henry
  • Sting and Ric Flair to appear

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/1/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

  • Fallout From Survivor Series
  • Randy Orton to appear
  • WWE United States Champion Logan Paul to appear
  • Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller
  • Damage CTRL segment

Tommy Dreamer Says Britt Baker Is Adding To The Disruptiveness Of AEW Locker Room

Tommy Dreamer feels that AEW star Britt Baker’s recent tweet criticizing AEW management could cause disruption in the promotion. 

Baker, during this week’s “AEW Dynamite,” called out AEW on social media for not affording her promo time on AEW television in 2023. Dreamer discussed the comment by the former AEW Women’s World Champion on “Busted Open,” stating that it could be disruptive if it was a real criticism.

“I don’t think AEW needs any negative. As of today, this is deemed a negative up until [if] this is the reveal. If this is the reveal then, we all got got,” said Dreamer. “If it’s not, then it needs to be handled, and if it’s not handled, there will be more disruptiveness.”

Dreamer gave the example of The Miz as someone who made it work and has lasted a long time in WWE despite being treated poorly by his peers in his early years in the promotion. Dreamer discussed how The Miz put his head down and worked hard despite being ostracized by the locker room.

“There’s people who complained online about stuff in WWE, they were let go. There were, if I would say, hey, you don’t understand what this person went through, I did because I lived it through him, and it was The Miz. The Miz was put through hell,” said the former WWE star A different locker room, he was ostracized, you weren’t allowed to speak, it was made horrible for that young man. I like Miz, Miz’s my friend. From that, Miz has outlasted everybody. Did Miz go out on social media and say, ‘I’m dressing in a broom closet’? Miz ate it and then continued his hard work and whatever little, stupid spots he’s given, he got it over. And he’s been there forever.”

Baker hasn’t got on the mic in AEW this year and hasn’t wrestled since September when she lost the AEW TBS title match to Kris Statlander. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ric Flair Offers To Walk Away From AEW Following Outrage Over Pre-Taped Rampage Promo

Ric Flair’s AEW contract has already divided opinion within the pro wrestling community — and his latest incident will only ramp up the concerns of many fans regarding the legendary 16-time world champion. After making his debut last month alongside his long-time friend Sting, the 74-year-old has made sporadic appearances alongside “The Icon,” who is set to retire at next year’s Revolution.

Last night, Flair appeared on “AEW Dynamite” in a backstage segment alongside Sting and Tony Schiavone, where they announced the date and location for Revolution. But it was as a part of the “AEW Rampage” tapings later in the night, that trouble arose. It was then that Flair would cut a lengthy in-ring promo, which involved an invitation to all the 18 to 28-year-old single women in attendance to meet in his hotel room. 

While the line is expected to be cut from the broadcast prior to Friday night’s episode, it hasn’t stopped many on social media from condemning the remarks given Flair’s history of sexual harassment allegations. In a response on his own social media account, Flair would take aim at the critics and offered to “walk away” from AEW if needed.

“I am so tired of hearing all this negativity! Can’t I simply enjoy being by my dear friend Sting’s side for the next few months without so much hatred? I know I’m old, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy life,” he said. “I have earned the right to do whatever I want and I’m exactly where I want to be! I appreciate everything Tony Khan, but I’m more than willing to walk away if I am embarrassing you and your company.”

Flair signed a multi-year agreement with AEW after his initial debut in late-October, which entails on-screen appearances and the company promoting his energy drink. At this stage, there are no plans for Flair to wrestle in AEW after the Hall of Famer had his last match in 2022.

Source: Wrestling Inc.