Author: John Bass

Multiple MMA, Wrestling Companies Expressing Interest In Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle is a hot commodity following his WWE release.

As noted, “The Original BRO” was among the 25 WWE and NXT Superstars released by the company following the merger with UFC under the new TKO banner.

Dave Meltzer noted in the latest issue of his Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the former WWE Superstar has received interest from multiple MMA and pro wrestling promotions following his release from the company.

According to the report, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC) and PFL have expressed interest in acquiring the services of Riddle, as have many pro wrestling promotions.

AEW was not specifically mentioned, however Meltzer did note that Tony Khan could very well be interested in bringing him into the company.

Source: Rajah.com

AEW Rampage Preview 9/29/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass (c) vs. The Hardys & Brother Zay
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Rocky Romero
  • #1 Contender for AEW Women’s World Title: Ruby Soho vs. Hikaru Shida
  • The Righteous in action

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/29/2023

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live on FOX from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA.

  • WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Santos Escobar
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley
  • Grayson Waller Effect featuring Bobby Lashley

MLW Fusion Preview 9/28/2023

8pm tonight featuring:
Street Fight! AKIRA vs. Jimmy Lloyd!
•Triple Threat: Kevin Blackwood vs. TJ Crawford vs. Alec Price
•Tiara James vs. Zayda Steel

MLW FUSION featuring a street fight streaming 8pm tonight on MLW’s YouTube channel and FITE+, Friday on beIN XTRA and Saturday on Cable TV’s beIN SPORTS (find a provider). 

World Titan Federation Superstar® Matt Cardona takes over MLW’s YouTube account for the night as The WTF Superstar plays “guest influencer”. Will his millions of followers show up to troll or support The Agent? 

Salina de la Renta ups the ante, and it sends shockwaves through Slaughterhouse on FITE+. Plus, who is Salina’s first luchador in the new era of Promociones Dorado? You’re about to find out.

Alex Kane bosses up as he readies for his World Heavyweight Championship clash with Davey Boy Smith Jr. at Slaughterhouse on October 14… and Saint Laurent has a special offer for the “Suplex Assassin”.

After Jimmy Lloyd crashed onto the scene to help the Second Gear Crew, can the aspiring SUPER middleweight Jimmy Lloyd serve up a beat down to the Death Fighter AKIRA? A different boy goes to war in a South Philly street fight! 

Saint Laurent’s power throughout the world of wrestling continues to grow but what is the World Titan Federation? MLW looks at the Canadian huckster’s ousting as Senior Vice President of league operations and the rapid growth of The World Titan Federation.

The Calling indoctrinate their newest member.

Kevin Blackwood debuts against “Silver Sniper” TJ Crawford and Alec Price in a triple threat bout!

Emerging middleweight threat Ichiban gives his first interview. What does he have to say to the world? Tune in to find out!

In featherweight division action, Tiara James goes head to head with the debuting Zayda Steel.

PLUS: new matches drop for Slaughterhouse on FITE+!

Matches:

•Street Fight! AKIRA vs. Jimmy Lloyd 

•Triple Threat: Kevin Blackwood vs. TJ Crawford vs. Alec Price

•Tiara James vs. Zayda Steel

Impact Wrestling Preview 9/28/2023

The road to Bound For Glory rages on from Graceland Live in Memphis, TN. Don’t miss an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Rhino vs. Jack Price
  • Non-Title Match: Knockouts Champion Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw (w/Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans)
  • Impact X-Division Title Match: Chris Sabin (c) vs. Alan Angels
  • Memphis Street Fight: Kenny King & Sheldon Jean vs. Heath & Tommy Dreamer
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Mike Bailey
  • During the Feast or Fired briefcase reveal, we learned that Yuya Uemura was in possession of the dreaded pink slip. This means that his dreams of becoming “champions” alongside Joe Hendry will not be coming true and unfortunately, Uemura will be forced to leave IMPACT Wrestling. This Thursday, we part ways with Yuya Uemura during a special Goodbye Ceremony.

ROH Preview 9/28/2023

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: 

  • Gravity vs. Lee Johnson
  • Ethan Page vs. Rohit Raju
  • Lady Frost vs. Billie Starkz
  • Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
  • Laynie Luck vs. Leyla Hirsch
  • Jimmy Jacobs vs. Shane Taylor
  • Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent) vs. Ren Jones, Trenton Tormenta & Xavier Walker
  • Cole Karter & Griff Garrison vs. The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)
  • Mercedes Martinez vs. Allysin Kay
  • Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) vs. Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
  • Brian Cage vs. Metalik

Mysterious Group Attacks Jay White On AEW Dynamite

Following a contract signing segment between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page that main evented this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, the cameras panned backstage where Jay White was being assaulted by a man wearing MJF’s devil mask.

The show closed with several people attacking White in the backstage area before the cameras faded to black. The segment saw White being thrown onto a production cart, and then the masked man grabbed the camera to end the show.

As of this writing, there is no word on who the attacker is.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1707214565023346792

The devil mask was reminiscent of MJF’s own; the AEW World Champion calls himself “The Devil,” and he has worn the mask several times. He introduced it at AEW All Out 2022, where a group of masked individuals helped him win the Casino Ladder Match. This faction was later revealed to be The Firm. The group included Stokely Hathaway, Lee Moriarty, Colten Gunn, Austin Gunn, Ethan Page, and W. Morrissey.

No members of the group on Wednesday were identified. However, it’s easy to connect MJF to the attack. He and White got into a heated exchange earlier in the show. White set his sights on the world title, criticized MJF, and make it clear that he intends to dethrone the champion.

It’s worth noting that Edge’s WWE contract expires at the end of September. The AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view event takes place the following day on October 1st.

Source: eWn and WrestleZone

Adam Cole To Undergo Surgery

Adam Cole has revealed that he suffered a broken ankle on last week’s episode of AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.

On Wednesday night’s edition of Dynamite, Cole revealed that he broke his ankle in three different places on last week’s show. This led to him tearing multiple ligaments, which is going to result in surgery.

Due to the surgery, Adam Cole will be unable to compete at AEW WrestleDream. So the ROH World Tag Team Championship match will now see MJF defending the titles against The Righteous in a handicap match.

Merger Announced By XFL & USFL

The XFL and USFL have announced their intent to merge. The following was sent to us:

XFL AND USFL ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE

NEW YORK – September 28, 2023 – Today, the United States Football League (“USFL”) and the XFL announced their intention to merge.

Subject to customary regulatory approvals and if the transaction is consummated, the new league will establish best-in-class operations based on the most recent seasons of both leagues.  This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together. 

More details regarding the new league will be announced at a later date. 

About the United States Football League (USFL):

Fast, physical, and fun, the USFL is a fan-first, stand-alone professional spring football league. Run by experienced football leaders, the USFL kicked-off season 2 on April 15, 2023, becoming the first nationally televised spring league in 38 years to begin a second season. FOX Sports and NBC Sports are official media partners, presenting all 43 regular- and postseason games for the eight-team league that plays in Canton, Ohio, Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Tenn, and Detroit. Former NFL Dallas Cowboys player and current FOX NFL analyst Daryl Johnston is President of Football Operations. Former NFL Vice President of Officiating and current FOX NFL analyst Mike Pereira is Head of Officiating. “United By Football,” USFL fans can find scheduling and ticketing information at theUSFL.com and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

About the XFL:

The XFL is a fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league with innovative rules and an enhanced 360-degree game experience. Anchored in world-class football, the XFL brings entertainment and innovation to advance the sport, expand player opportunities, and change the way that fans experience the game. The XFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Orlando (FL), San Antonio (TX), Seattle (WA), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C. The XFL is owned by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners and launched in February 2023.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on USFL and XFL management’s current expectations and beliefs and subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances.  The transaction is subject to execution of definitive documentation and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Source: eWn

AEW Dynamite Preview 9/27/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

  • Fatal-Four-Way: Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Jackson vs. Penta El Zero Meido vs. Austin Gunn
  • Julia Hart vs Willow Nightingale
  • Jim Ross sit-down interview with Christian Cage and Darby Allin
  • Contract Signing: Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland
  • We’ll hear from Adam Cole and MJF, Cole’s status for WrestleDream to be addressed