Month: December 2023

AEW Star CJ Perry Undergoes Surgery To Treat Spreading Infection

AEW star CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana in WWE, has shared an update on her finger injury that required a hospital visit.

AEW Star CJ Perry (Fka WWE’s Lana) Undergoes Surgery To Treat Spreading Infection
AEW
BY NISHANT JAYARAM/DEC. 19, 2023 1:42 AM EST
AEW star CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana in WWE, has shared an update on her finger injury that required a hospital visit.

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In a new update on social media, Perry revealed that the infection on her finger has worsened, and will now require surgery. She requested everyone to keep her in their thoughts.

“I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all,” said Perry.

https://twitter.com/TheCJPerry/status/1736908129697460332

She had disclosed a few days ago that her middle finger had swollen following an infection, which also spread to her arm. Perry stated in her recent update that she has been in the emergency room for over 50 hours. 

The former WWE star was advertised to be in the corner of her new client, Andrade el Idolo for his first appearance in CMLL since 2015, but the injury kept her away from traveling to Mexico. She also missed the following night’s “AEW Collision” show where Andrade faced another former WWE star, Claudio Castagnoli, in the Continental Classic tournament. The Mexican star lost the match, which was his first defeat in the tournament, but still sits joint-top of the Blue league alongside Bryan Danielson.

Perry, who joined AEW in September, became Andrade’s manager in November and has accompanied the former “NXT” Champion to the ring ever since, despite her real-life husband, Miro, also being a part of the promotion. Miro and Andrade haven’t clashed since joining AEW, but a potential feud looms as the former declared on AEW television that he would target Andrade after the conclusion of the Continental Classic tournament.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

‘Big Little Brawlers’ To Premiere On Discovery Channel In January

A new wrestling reality show is coming to Warner Bros Discovery.

Warner Bros Discovery announced “Big Little Brawlers” will premiere on Discovery on January 9. The series follows athletes in the Micro Wrestling Federation.

From WBD:

Little People Athletes Risk Love and Limb in “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS,” Premiering Tuesday, January 9 at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel

(Burbank, CA) December 14, 2023 – Full of heart, drama and high-flying micro wrestling, the six-part series “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS” premieres Tuesday, January 9 at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. As they attempt to achieve their piece of the American Dream, a group of remarkable little people athletes with larger-than-life personalities are forced to overcome ego, injury, and the limitations imposed by society.

Set in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS” follows athletes in the Micro Wrestling Federation, one of the most successful little person wrestling leagues in the world. “Pinky Shortcake” and “Syko,” parents and wrestling partners, must navigate their relationship both in and out of the ring. The voice of micro wresting, “Ivar the Micro,” dreams of going from hype man to wrestler despite significant physical risk. Popular veteran “Lil’ Show” wrestles to support his wife and children but fears his best moments in the ring are behind him. And, the up-and-coming wrestler “Hot Rod” must prove his talent lives up to his ego. Despite internal dramas and frustrations, Micro Wresting Federation CEO Jack Darrell Hillegass encourages the group to work together as a family as they approach “MicroFest,” the biggest micro wresting event of the year.

“Alongside spectacular feats of athleticism, this Discovery series broadens the way we reveal compelling stories of remarkable people overcoming huge odds,” said Howard Lee, President of Discovery Networks and TLC.

Audiences can follow the conversation on social media with #BigLittleBrawlers and follow Discovery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates. 

“Big Little Brawlers” is produced for Warner Bros. Discovery by Jupiter Entertainment.

Source: Fightful

AXS TV To Air New Episodes Of NJPW Starting Next Month

AXS TV announced the return of NJPW programming starting January 11.

NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING RETURNS TO AXS TV WITH 45 ALL-NEW EPISODES IN 2024, BEGINNING THURSDAY JANUARY 11 AT 10 PM ET

Highlights Include Iconic Matchups from Wrestle Kingdom 18, Featuring Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Kazuchika Okada and SANADA

LOS ANGELES (December 18, 2023) – AXS TV, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc., has renewed its fan-favorite New Japan Pro-Wrestling series with 45 all-new episodes in 2024. The upcoming season kicks off with four weeks of exclusive coverage from Wrestle Kingdom 18, beginning Thursday, January 11 at 10 p.m. ET. All episodes are presented in English and feature expert play-by-play commentary from NJPW’s own Walker Stewart and Chris Charlton.

Additionally, AXS TV NOW viewers will be able to enjoy classic episodes in English of NJPW every Sunday, starting January 7 at 6 a.m. PT and repeating throughout the day. The AXS TV NOW January slate includes unforgettable bouts from Wrestle Kingdom 7 through 13.

AXS TV’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling schedule for January is as follows (with more matches being announced at a later date):

January 11—Wrestle Kingdom 18

– Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and David Finlay go toe-to-toe in a triple threat match for the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.

January 18—Wrestle Kingdom 18

-Next, “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada meets “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson once again, in a stunning rematch of their highly-acclaimed bout at Forbidden Door 2 last June.

January 25—Wrestle Kingdom 18

-Then, G1 CLIMAX 33 Winner Tetsuya Naito gets his long-awaited title shot, as the Los Ingobernables de Japón honcho challenges SANADA for the coveted IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

AXS TV NOW’s January slate of classic New Japan Pro-Wrestling episodes is as follows:

January 7

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 7, 8, and 9.

January 14

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 10 and 11.

January 21

-Highlights from Wrestle Kingdom 12 and 13.

AXS TV produces the English-language version of New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a joint venture with New Japan World and in association with TV ASAHI Corporation.

About AXS TV

AXS TV is a leading multi-platform music and entertainment digital platform and television company owned and operated by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. AXS TV’s broad library offers content headlined by concerts and music-inspired programming, world-class professional wrestling and MMA. AXS TV’s signature programs include The Top Ten Revealed, The Very VERY Best of the 80s, and Parking Lot Payday. The channel also is the home of IMPACT Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Invicta Fighting Championships. AXS TV is available nationally in the United States, and parts of Canada and the Caribbean. Additionally, AXS TV’s digital programming can be enjoyed on several different platforms including the AXS.TV website and the Network’s app AXS TV NOW, and FAST Channel, as well as on the Network’s official YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram pages, Twitter and TikTok profiles. For a full list of providers and territories, please visit axs.tv/subscribe.

WWE RAW Preview 12/18/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

  • WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Damian Priest (c) vs. The Creed Brothers
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven (c) vs. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter 
  • WWE International Championship Match: Gunther (c) vs. The Miz – If Miz loses, he will not be able to challenge for the title as long as Gunther is champion.
  • Seth Rollins will address Drew McIntyre

AEW Star Thunder Rosa Set To Return To The Ring On Next Week’s Collision

During this week’s “AEW Collision” episode, Thunder Rosa worked as a Spanish language commentator. However, after Abadon was attacked by both AEW TBS Champion Julia Hart and Skye Blue, she returned to the ring and indicated that she’s now injury-free. Furthermore, next week’s episode of “Collision” will see the former AEW Women’s Champion have her first match since the August 10, 2022, taped episode of “AEW Dark: Elevation.” 

AEW Star Thunder Rosa Set To Return To The Ring On Next Week’s Collision
AEW
BY KELLIE HAULOTTE/DEC. 17, 2023 8:26 AM EST
During this week’s “AEW Collision” episode, Thunder Rosa worked as a Spanish language commentator. However, after Abadon was attacked by both AEW TBS Champion Julia Hart and Skye Blue, she returned to the ring and indicated that she’s now injury-free. Furthermore, next week’s episode of “Collision” will see the former AEW Women’s Champion have her first match since the August 10, 2022, taped episode of “AEW Dark: Elevation.” 

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Rosa will team up with Abadon on next week’s show to face Blue and Hart. The episode is part of AEW’s annual “Holiday Bash” special and will be taking place in San Antonio, Texas, at the Frost Bank Center. It’s worth noting that San Antonio is the hometown of Rosa. Her first and so far only AEW Women’s Title reign started in her hometown, where she became the champion after defeating Britt Baker in a steel cage match on the March 16, 2022, episode of “AEW Dynamite” at the Freeman Coliseum.

Rosa had been out of action for more than a year due to a serious back injury, which forced her to relinquish the AEW Women’s Title during the November 23, 2022, episode of “Dynamite.” Rosa has been a part of the AEW roster since July 2021, debuting as the NWA Women’s Champion on the September 2, 2020, episode of “Dynamite” in a match against Serena Deeb. Fans will undoubtedly be happy to see her in action again, but it remains to be seen if she’ll win her old championship back.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On Omos, Dexter Lumis, And Odyssey Jones WWE Absences

Omos, Dexter Lumis, and Odyssey Jones all seemingly vanished from prominent spots on WWE TV, leaving fans with little indication of their futures.

Fightful Select is reporting that Omos is off TV to keep the giant superstar’s appearances special so that he can transition into an attraction role like Brock Lesnar or in the past Big Show. Omos currently works on select Live Events against talent like Akira Tozawa. There are reportedly few pitches if any headed his way. Omos last worked a notable program with Brock Lesnar, which culminated in the opening match of Night 2 of WrestleMania 39.

Dexter Lumis is currently not injured, but not on tour. The popular NXT star is said to be ready to go whenever Creative has plans for him, but like Omos there are no plans at the moment.

One superstar that has been the subject of pitches is Odyssey Jones. Jones has reportedly been pitched as an addition to the faction of Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits, though there have yet to be any developments past the pitch stage. Jones has been on the road, working tag matches with Cameron Grimes against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller at Live Events.

Jones has actually been mentioned by Omos in the past as someone that he would like to wrestle. The future special attraction said that he feels a responsibility to his fellow giant wrestlers to help them learn to adapt to life on the road, which is often not friendly to people of their size.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Spoiler: Tony Khan Introduces Brand-New Championship At Recent ROH Taping

This past Saturday, after filming the latest “AEW Collision,” Tony Khan appeared during the standard Ring of Honor taping with an announcement. Khan unveiled a new championship for the promotion: the ROH Women’s Television Championship. It is the first new title introduced since Khan purchased ROH in early 2022, and now becomes the second women’s championship in the promotion. As of now, it’s not clear how the first champion will be decided. More information on the title will likely be revealed this coming Thursday on the next episode of “ROH on HonorClub.”

The announcement of the new title came just one day after the promotion’s latest major event, ROH Final Battle 2023. That show featured Athena defending the ROH Women’s World Championship against Billie Starkz in the main event, with Starkz re-joining Athena after failing to capture the title. Final Battle also saw the crowning of a new ROH Television Championship when Kyle Fletcher won the six-way Survival of the Fittest match on Friday. That title was previously vacated by Samoa Joe after a 574-day reign, with Joe now preparing to challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship.

In addition to Athena and Starkz, ROH’s women’s division currently includes Rachael Ellering, Leyla Hirsch, Taya Valkyrie, Trish Adora, and more. Having just lost her chance at the ROH Women’s World Title in a match many expected her to win, Starkz could very well set her sights on the new championship, but she’ll undoubtedly have many competitors standing in her way if she makes that decision.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Announces Charlotte Flair Will Be Out 9 Months

Charlotte Flair appeared to suffer a knee injury during her match against Asuka on Friday Night SmackDown last week, as she was spotted yelling “my knee” at Charles Robinson who was tending to her after the match. We’ve been waiting for any kind of diagnosis in the meantime and the first bit of official news to come out is not good.

Indeed, WWE announced during this week’s show that Flair did indeed suffer a knee injury on a spot coming off the ropes and she will have to miss nine months of action.

According to a report from Pwinsider, Flair suffered a torn ACL, a torn MCL and a torn meniscus after falling from the top rope. Additionally, it is believed that she suffered a strain to her neck. While the surgery has not taken place just yet, it is expected to happen in the near future.

The timing of this couldn’t be worse, considering we’re just before the holidays and WWE is gearing up for its biggest time of the year, the Royal Rumble to WrestleMania 40 push. Flair was undoubtedly going to be a major part of both.

Source: SB Nation

AEW Collision Preview 12/16/2023

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AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match:
Daniel Garcia vs. Eddie Kingston

AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match:
Bryan Danielson vs. Brody King

AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match:
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Andrade El Idolo

Updated AEW Continental Classic standings:

Gold League:
1. Jon Moxley (4-0-0, 12 pts)
2. Swerve Strickland (3-1-0, 9 pts)
3. Jay White (3-1-0, 9 pts)
4. Rush (2-2-0, 6 pts)
5. Mark Briscoe (0-4-0, 0 pts)
5. Jay Lethal (0-4-0, 0 pts)

Blue League:
1. Andrade El Idolo (3-0-0, 9 pts)
2. Brody King (2-1-0, 6 pts)
3. Bryan Danielson (2-1-0, 6 pts)
4. Claudio Castagnoli (1-2-0, 3 pts)
4. Eddie Kingston (1-2-0, 3 pts)
6. Daniel Garcia (0-3-0, 0 pts)

AEW Collision Winter Is Coming Preview 12/16/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision Winter is Coming live on TNT from the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.

  • AEW International Championship Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match: Daniel Garcia vs. Eddie Kingston
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Brody King
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Andrade El Idolo