Month: December 2023

Sammy Guevara Returns On AEW Dynamite, Reunites With Chris Jericho

Sammy Guevara is back.

Guevara returned to AEW television on Wednesday, aligning himself with Chris Jericho again after turning on Don Callis and the Callis Family. Callis introduced Guevara and showcased a painting of him and the family with his new child. Guevara was hostile, accusing Callis and the family of not being there for him when he had his child or was out of action with a concussion. After Callis gave him an ultimatum and brought up his child negatively, Guevara attacked Callis, which led to the family attacking Guevara until Jericho made the save. Jericho extended his hand, but Guevara went in for a hug, reuniting the two.

The two were then jumped by Big Bill & Ricky Starks, Jericho’s former opponents for Worlds End before Kenny Omega was put out of action indefinitely with diverticulitis. The lights went out and when they came back on, Darby Allin and Sting were in the ring and made the save.

Later, an eight man tag team match was made for Worlds End where Guevara, Jericho, Allin, and Sting will team together to take on Starks,Bill, Kyle Fletcher, and Konosuke Takeshita. 

Guevara was last on television back at WrestleDream in October, teaming with Konosuke Takeshita and Will Ospreay in a winning effort against Jericho, Omega, and Kota Ibushi. He has been out of action ever since due to suffering a concussion in the match. He’s also been out as Tay Melo, his wife, gave birth to a daughter back on November 28.

Source: Wrestling Observer

Corey Graves Open To One-Off In-Ring Return

WWE commentator Corey Graves hasn’t competed in years, but the former NXT Tag Team Champion isn’t opposed to a one-off return to the ring.

In a recent interview with “Steelers Takeaways“, Graves spoke about possibly returning to the ring after being medically cleared in 2020. He said,

“The transition in a weird way saved me from what could have been. Instead of grieving over the loss of my dream as an in-ring performer, it gave me something new to focus my energy on while staying in the business. I found a new mountain to climb. In hindsight it really helped me deal with that loss.

“I have a clean bill of health now, thanks. I actually got medically cleared a couple of years ago to perform in the ring again. I flirted with the idea and am waiting for a potential opportunity if it presents itself. More of a one-time ting like McAfee has done – not as a full-time in-ring performer.”

Graves currently calls the action on WWE SmackDown with Kevin Patrick and Michael Cole. His last official match for WWE took place at a March 2014 WWE NXT live event.

Source: eWn

ROH TV Preview 12/28/2023

ROH will air a new episode of its weekly television show tonight at 7 pm ET on HonorClub. 

You can sign up for the streaming service here. Below is the lineup for the show: 

  • The Von Erichs (Ross & Marshall Von Erich) & Bryan Keith vs. The Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) & Jacked Jameson
  • Zak Knight vs. Peter Avalon
  • Johnny TV vs. Ethan Page
  • Tony Nese w/Mark Sterling vs. TBA
  • Taya Valkyrie & The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn Renegade) vs. Lady Frost, Trish Adora, & Kiera Hogan
  • Nyla Rose vs. TBA

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash Preview 12/27/2023

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash will air live tonight on TBS from the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL.

  • Continental Classic Blue League Finals: Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston
  • Continental Classic Gold League Finals: Swerve Strickland vs. Jon Moxley vs. Jay White
  • ROH Tag Team Championship Match: Samoa Joe and MJF (c) defend against Devil’s Men Hentchmen
  • Renee Paquette speaks with Mariah May

CM Punk Wins First WWE Match In Nearly A Decade, Cuts Promo

CM Punk made his in-ring return at WWE’s Live Event in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, after a triumphant return at Survivor Series: War Games. Punk faced former WWE NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio and the former AEW World Champion was victorious, his first WWE win since January 2014.

According to Justin J. Lopez on X (formerly known as Twitter), Punk pinned Mysterio after a GTS. The former WWE Champion then took to the microphone to address the Manhattan crowd.

“There’s a little part of me that came here for me, but you guys are the high tide that raises all ships,” Punk said. “You have carried me throughout my career to my greatest moments and this is one of them.” Punk then told the crowd to look at their fellow members of the WWE Universe and say hello and shake hands, much like the “Sign of Peace” at Catholic Mass. Punk says that he’s grateful to wake up and to be in the ring and for each and every fan that came to see him wrestle.

“I came to finish what I started. It starts tonight in the world’s most famous arena and the greatest fans on earth,” Punk said. “The Voice of the Voiceless” then said he’d win the Royal Rumble and head to WrestleMania. “That isn’t me finishing my story, that’s just me getting started.”

Punk was not done making his thoughts known, as WWE cameras caught up with “The Second City Saint” after the win, where he said, “King’s back, best in the world.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 12/26/2023

Here is the lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network: 

All or Nothing Match: Bronco Nima & Lucien Price vs. Duke Hudson & Andre Chase. Duke 

  • Heritage Cup Championship Match: Noam Dar vs. Josh Briggs 
  • Cora Jade vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Bron Breakker vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Joe Gacy vs. Joe Coffey.
  • Breakout Tournament Semifinals Match: Riley Osborne vs. Lexis King 
  • Breakout Tournament Semifinals Match: Oba Femi vs. Tavion Heights
  • NXT Underground Match: Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak

AEW Collision ‘Holiday Bash’ Preview 12/23/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision ‘Holiday Bash’ Live on TNT from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX

  • Continental Blue League Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Continental Blue League Match: Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston
  • Continental Blue League Match: Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia
  • AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass (c) vs. Top Flight & Action Andretti
  • Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs. Thunder Rosa & Abadon
  • Brian Cage vs. Keith Lee
  • TNT Champion Christian Cage to give his answer to Adam Copeland’s challenge

Hiroshi Tanahashi Is The New President Of NJPW

Hiroshi Tanahashi is the new president of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

NJPW announced on Friday that Tanahashi has been named the new President and Representative Director of NJPW following a meeting of the company’s Board of Directors and shareholders.

Takami Ohbari and Michiaki Nishizawa will be stepping down from their roles as President/Representative Director and Director.

Tanahashi has been a mainstay in NJPW and is an eight-time IWGP World Champion.

You can check out the full announcement below:

“Notice of newly appointed company President
After a meeting of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s board of directors and shareholders today, December 23 2023, the following personnel change has been made in Company management.

Reason for personnel change

Alterations to management structure

Newly appointed officials

President & Representative Director: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Director: Hitoshi Matsumoto (Chief of Business Production, TV Asahi)

Director: Taro Okada (President & CEO, Bushiroad Fight) *Mr. Okada’s position is on a part time basis

Effective December 23, Takami Ohbari and Michiaki Nishizawa will step down from their positions as President/Representative Director and Director respectively.

Newly appointed President/Representative Director profile

Hiroshi Tanahashi was born November 13 1976 in Ogaki City, Gifu. After graduating in law at Ristumeikan University, Tanahashi joined NJPW in 1999 and debuted that October. He won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first of a record eight times in 2006, achievements along with four time pro-wrestling MVP status that have led him to be called the ‘Ace’ of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Press conference

There will be a press conference on December 26 at 1PM JST concerning the changes made above.

Message to fans

Thank you for your ongoing support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. On January 4 at Belc Presents Wrestle Kingdom 18 in the Tokyo Dome, Hiroshi Tanahashi will address the fans directly in his new role as President. NJPW looks forward to your continued support under the new leadership structure.”

CJ Perry Going Home After Successful Surgery For Infection

CJ Perry was recently hospitalized hospital due to a serious infection in her finger that spread down to her arm.

Perry underwent a successful surgery on Monday following which she took to Instagram to share an update on her health. The Ravishing Russian is doing better and is going home.

AEW Rampage ‘Holiday Bash’ Preview 12/22/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage ‘Holiday Bash’ on TNT.

  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Rocky Romero 
  • Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata
  • The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) w/Roderick Strong vs. The Hardy’s
  • AAA Mega Championship: El Hijo del Vikingo (c) vs. Black Taurus
  • We will hear from Kris Statlander