Author: John Bass

FITE Officially Rebrands As TrillerTV

American digital video streaming service FITE TV, which hosts several wrestling shows, has announced its rebranding to TrillerTV.

Triller is the social media platform that bought FITE a couple of years ago.

Triller has issued a press release with more details on the change and statements from its executives.

Official announcement below:

“Sports Streaming Leader FITE Renamed TrillerTV

The best value in live streaming and the most reliable PPV and subscription platform, FITE is growing beyond its combat sports roots to offer fans even more action

New York, NY (December 11, 2023): FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE’s continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.

“TrillerTV is everything you know and trust from FITE, but with doors open for even more sports,” said Michael Weber, Co-Founder and COO of TrillerTV. “Our original name served us well, as have our loyal customers, promoters, and athletes to whom we are super grateful. The time has come to give even more to expand the experience we’ve built from the ground up to celebrate the passion and precision that makes us all love sports.”

FITE was founded in 2015 using pioneering and proprietary AI tools to enhance the viewer experience. The platform has since grown, thanks to its hard-driving, sports-fanatic team, to serve 8 million registered users around the world, and to present blockbuster events with the biggest names in their fields.

Subscription services AEW Plus, FITE+, and the FAST channel, FITE 24/7 have all grown at an astounding rate, and now FITE+ becomes TrillerTV+, FITE 24/7 becomes TrillerTV 24/7, and AEW Plus keeps its name. Both TrillerTV+ and AEW Plus have newly enabled geo-tagged pricing, increasing their value proposition for international audiences.

”Now that we’ve proven FITE in 10s of thousands of live events from all over the world, it’s time to expand to more content verticals under our new brand TrillerTV,” Kosta Jordanov, Co-Founder and CEO of TrillerTV, said, “We will be adding new sports categories, more premium brand promotions, and continuing to improve our technology to give the best user experience in streaming sports and entertainment.”

“We are thrilled to realize one of the core objectives of the acquisition of FITE,” added Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. “The launch of TrillerTV is the culmination of the strategy of expansion from their combat sports roots to broader sports content and even broader entertainment verticals across the globe. TrillerTV is a great example of Triller’s open-garden approach of delivering high quality entertainment on every platform; mobile phones, PCs, streaming devices, set-top-boxes and gaming consoles.”

NJPW Introducing Global Championship At Wrestle Kingdom 18

The new championship belt being introduced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 18 now has a name. During a press conference today following the conclusion of this year’s World Tag League tournament, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced that the winner of the three-way match between Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and David Finlay on January 4 will be crowned the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. The decision to create the new title came after Finlay destroyed both the NJPW United States Heavyweight Championship and the NJPW United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship (a rebranded belt made by then-U.S. titleholder Ospreay) belts at Power Struggle last month.

The introduction of the Global Heavyweight Championship also coincides with NJPW’s aim to establish its presence in more countries next year; the company wants to grow “throughout all of Europe and the rest of Asia and Oceania.” NJPW has already attempted to make a larger mark in both the United Kingdom and the United States, hence the creation of the NJPW STRONG brand in the U.S. a few years ago. Notably, the Japanese organization had considered reviving the NJPW Intercontinental Championship, which was retired in March 2021, for the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom. However, given NJPW’s mission for more global reach, it was agreed that the Global Heavyweight Championship name was “most fitting” of the current plans and direction.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Update On Charlotte Flair Following WWE SmackDown Injury

It seems last Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown” may be one Charlotte Flair will wish she could forget. During a match against Asuka, the 15-time women’s champion took a nasty spill off the top rope, hitting her head and landing awkwardly on her leg, leading to the match being quickly wrapped up. The injury has since been confirmed to be legitimate, and judging by WWE’s current reaction, it doesn’t appear Flair will be around any time soon. PWInsider reports that Flair has returned to her home in Florida and has been pulled off the road until further notice. As of this writing, it’s unclear how much time Flair will miss, though WWE is said to be moving quickly to determine the nature of the injuries she suffered during the match.

This will be Flair’s third absence in the past year and a half, having missed over seven months in 2022 and another two months earlier this year. However, neither absence appeared to be caused by injury — in 2022 it was attributed to her marriage to AEW star Andrade El Idolo, while her missed time this year seemed to be a planned break after her loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39.

Should Flair miss a significant amount of time, it would throw a wrench in the current direction of the “SmackDown” women’s division, which has seen Flair, Bianca Belair, and Shotzi feuding with a revitalized Damage CTRL comprising Bayley, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, Asuka, and WWE Womens’ Champion IYO SKY. Alongside Becky Lynch, the trio recently defeated Damage CTRL in a WarGames match at the Survivor Series PLE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Non-Compete Clauses Are Reportedly Almost Over For Several Released Former WWE Stars

One of the more unfortunate aspects of the WWE-UFC merger earlier this year was that it led to several within WWE, both in and out of the ring, losing their jobs this past September. And while the releases will surely still sting, with the end of December quickly approaching, many of the in-ring talents will finally have a chance to get back in the ring for another promotion.

PWInsider Elite reports that the bulk of talents let go by WWE in September are set to have their noncompete clauses expire next Thursday, December 21. Among the talents that would now be available to work for any promotion they choose are Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, Shelton Benjamin, Dana Brooke, Aliyah, Rick Boogs, Mace, Mansor, Riddick Moss, Top Dolla, Elias, Dabbo-Kato, Quincy Elliot, Yulisa Leon, Shanky, and Matt Riddle.

Many of the released WWE names have already been announcing future bookings, though so far all are for events one month after their noncompetes end. The includes Ziggler, who announced over the weekend that his first match outside of WWE would take place on January 20 in Puerto Rico, where he’ll work for the World Wrestling Council. Mace and Mansoor are set to compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch the same day, though they have already made one non-wrestling appearance for Deadlock Pro Wrestling this past weekend. Matt Riddle has also lined up future bookings for that month, with the controversial wrestler going down to Mexico to work for The Crash Lucha Libre on January 19.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 12/11/2023

Tonight’s WWE RAW on USA Network from the Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland, OH.

  • CM Punk to decide with which brand he will sign.
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso

Impact Wrestling Final Resolution (12/9/2023) Results, Zack Sabre Jr, Trent Seven

IMPACT Wrestling hosted a new edition of Final Resolution, the last show under the IMPACT Wrestling name.

  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: PCO def. Clutch Jessie.
  • Jake Something cut a promo backstage, but he was attacked from behind by Jason Hotch with a chair. Security guards separated Something & Hotch.
  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: Jack Price def. Aiden Prince.
  • Jordynne Grace & IMPACT Knockouts Champion Trinity were interviewed backstage by Gia Miller. They will face each other on Hard To Kill for the title, but they promised to focus on teaming for tonight’s match.
  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: Frankie Kazarian def. Sheldon Jean.
  • IMPACT Tag Team Championship Match: Bullet Club’s Ace & Bey Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers (w/ Alisha Edwards).
    • The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) attacked ABC after the match, where they called their shot at the IMPACT Tag Titles.
  • Josh Alexander & NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr cut a promo backstage ahead of their match against Motor City Machine Guns. They put over the Guns, with Sabre Jr saying that he would prove why he was the greatest technical wrestler ever. They aimed to get gold after tonight.
  • Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards cut a promo in the ring, where she dissed the Toronto crowd for their accents. Santino Marella interrupted and booked an impromptu match between Alisha and Jody Threat.
  • Jody Threat def. Alisha Edwards (w/ Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers).
  • IMPACT Digital Media Championship Match: Tommy Dreamer (c) def. Deaner.
  • The Rascalz cut a promo backstage, but they were immediately interrupted by Santino Marella. Marella booked them into an impromptu tag match against Mike Bailey & a mystery opponent. The mystery partner was revealed to be Trent Seven.
  • Mike Bailey & Trent Seven def. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz).
  • Scott D’Amore came to the ring and officially offered a contract to Trent Seven, which he signed. Seven is now on TNA.
  • The Motor City Machine Guns cut a promo backstage, where they promised that they would be heading into TNA as victors tonight.
  • Jake Something def. Jason Hotch.
  • Moose def. Rhino.
  • Frankie Kazarian cut a promo backstage, where he said that he was excited to see the rebirth of TNA. He said that 2024 would be the year of TNA & the year of Frankie Kazarian.
  • Jordynne Grace & IMPACT Knockouts Champion Trinity def. Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw.
    • Gisele Shaw & Deonna Purrazzo argued after the match. The two shook hands, but Shaw pulled Purrazzo in and hit her with the Lethal Combination.
  • Moose was interviewed by Gia Miller backstage, where Moose said that he would be known as the new TNA World Champion at TNA Hard to Kill.
  • Josh Alexander & Zack Sabre Jr​​​​​​​ def. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley).

WWE NXT Deadline 12/9/2023 Results

  • Kickoff Match: Axiom def. Nathan Frazer.
  • The main broadcast kicked off with Shawn Michaels, but he was immediately interrupted by CM Punk, making his first appearance in NXT in over 10 years. They had a bit of banter, with Punk teasing that he may join NXT.
  • NXT North American Championship Match: Dragon Lee (w/ Rey Mysterio) def. Dominik Mysterio (c) to win the Championship.
  • Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Blair Davenport (3) def. Tiffany Stratton (1), Lash Legend (2), Kelani Jordan (0) & Fallon Henley (1).
  • NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria appeared on the entrance ramp, but she was attacked from behind by a returning Cora Jade, who aimed her focus on the NXT Women’s Title.
  • Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams trained backstage ahead of their matches tonight. Williams told Hayes to take care of business against King, to which Hayes responded by saying that King would get his.
  • Carmelo Hayes def. Lexis King.
    • After the match, Lexis King said that he did not actually attack Trick Williams, and he thanked Hayes for the easy PLE Spotlight.
  • Cora Jade was interviewed saying that she was here to make a change to the Women’s Division.
  • Trick Williams apologized to Carmelo Hayes for getting Lexis King between them. Hayes accepted the apology and told Williams to “Whoop That Trick” tonight.
  • Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Trick Williams (4) def. DIJAK (3), Bron Breakker (3), Tyler Bate (3) & Josh Briggs (2).
  • Josh Briggs & Fallon Heley were met by Brooks Jensen, but Meta Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson) made fun of them. This led to a brawl backstage.
  • Steel Cage Match: Kiana James def. Roxanne Perez.
    • Izzy Dame attacked Perez, leading James to hit a chair-assisted Knee strike for the win.
  • There was a video package highlighting the participants of the Men’s NXT Breakout Tournament.
  • NXT Championship Match: Ilja Dragunov (c) def. Baron Corbin.
    • Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes confronted Ilja Dragunov from the ramp, teasing a match between Williams & Dragunov to end the broadcast.

AEW Collision Preview 12/9/2023

Tonight’s Collision on TNT.

  • Continental Classic Blue League: Bryan Danielson vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Continental Classic Blue League: Eddie Kingston vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Kenny Omega vs. Ethan Page
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Martinez
  • Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
  • Wardlow vs. Willie Mack

Charlotte Flair Possibly Injured On WWE SmackDown

Charlotte Flair appears to have suffered an injury on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

During Friday night’s show, Flair faced off against Asuka in a singles match and appeared to have been hurt during the commercial break.

When the show returned from the break, Charlotte was being checked on by referee Charles Robinson. They eventually went to a quick finish, with Asuka winning via a roll-up due to Bayley’s interference.

Following the match, Charlotte was helped to the back by WWE’s medical staff. It is said that the injury occurred as Flair was setting up for a move but slipped and was caught on the ropes. She wound up hitting her head and wrenching her knee.

Source: eWn

WWE NXT Deadline 12/9/2023 (Card)

WWE NXT Deadline PLE – Saturday December 9, 2023 – Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut

CARD

MEN’S IRON SURVIVOR CHALLENGE MATCH:
Dijak vs. Trick Williams vs. Josh Briggs vs. Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate

WOMEN’S IRON SURVIVOR CHALLENGE MATCH:
Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley

NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Baron Corbin

NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Dragon Lee

Kiana James vs. Roxanne Perez

Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King

Kick Off PRE-SHOW :
Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer