Author: John Bass

Malakai Black Reveals He Is Dealing With A Slight Calf Tear & Knee Hyperextension

Malakai Black addressed fans’ concerns about his rumored injury, which was speculated to be the reason for his absence from singles matches in AEW in recent months.

Black’s last match was when House of Black lost the Trios Titles to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn at All In. In a video on his Instagram story, Black confirmed that he does not have a back injury, but he is currently managing a minor calf tear and knee hyperextension.

“Something that I want to quickly address. I understand this is done from a perspective of caring, and I appreciate the fact that people care and that it comes from a good place. About a year ago, I made a video about rehabbing a back injury that I have. The video shows the process and strengthening my back. After the video was posted, people started bringing up this idea, ‘Oh, he has a bad back, therefore, ABC,’ which is not the case at all. For some reason, that has found its way back and the narrative is ‘he has not had singles matches because he has a bad back and nearly retired.’ That’s not true. Why I’m not having singles matches? I don’t know. I think it’s because they want House of Black to do six-mans. I was not in six-mans to hide a non-existing injury. Rest assured, I do not have a bad back and the reason I am home right now is because, well, due to a minor injury. I had a slight calf tear and a hyperextension in my knee, which is almost nursed back and almost ready to go back on the road. I appreciate the concern, but the reality is, I’m fine, and you will see me sooner rather than later,” he stated.

https://twitter.com/wrestlingsdeity/status/1706916845435888084

Source: eWn

WWE NXT Preview 9/26/2023

Tonight’s WWE NXT live from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • NXT Global Heritage Invitational Final: Butch vs. Joe Coffey
  • Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov to sign their No Mercy NXT Title Match contract
  • Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe v. Dijak
  • Gigi Dolin v. Blair Davenport

Heels Canceled By Starz

“Heels,” the pro wrestling TV show starring actor Stephen Amell, has reportedly been canceled.

As per “The Wrap,” the show has been canceled due to not having enough audience for it to be renewed for a third season. “Heels” has aired 16 episodes in its two seasons, with the second and final season ending earlier this month.

The cancelation of “Heels” may come as a surprise to many as it seemed to have garnered a good response from critics as well as the audience. As of writing, the show has a high 93% rating by critics and fans on Rotten Tomatoes, while IMDB has given it an 8 out of 10 rating.

Amell, who portrays Jack Spade, is the main protagonist of the show, taking over the Duffy Wrestling League promotion after his father’s passing, while his younger brother Ace Spade, played by Alexander Ludwig, finds his footing in the world of pro wrestling. The show also featured CM Punk as Ricky Rabies, and his appearance on the show may have played a part in his return to pro wrestling with AEW. AJ Mendez (formerly known as AJ Lee in WWE), former WWE wrestler and Punk’s wife, also appeared in three episodes in the second season of “Heels.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Announces Former AEW Star Jade Cargill Has Signed Multi-Year Contract

WWE has today announced the signing of Jade Cargill. According to the Stamford, Connecticut-based promotion, the former All Elite Wrestling star has inked a multi-year deal. Cargill will begin training today at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. 

ESPN, the outlet that initially broke the news of Cargill’s signing, said that it remains unclear if the 31-year-old will be heading straight to the main roster or if she will begin her WWE journey on the “WWE NXT” brand.

It was recently reported that Cargill was WWE-bound after departing AEW. Cargill’s final match with Tony Khan’s promotion was broadcast on the September 15 episode of “AEW Rampage,” where she unsuccessfully challenged Kris Statlander for the AEW TBS Championship. Cargill, who first appeared for AEW in November 2020, is the longest-reigning AEW TBS Champion in history after holding the gold for 508 days.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 9/25/2023

WWE RAW will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Toyota Center in Ontario, California.

  • Cody Rhodes to kick off RAW
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
  • NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Dragon Lee
  • Bronson Reed vs. Otis
  • Shinsuke Nakamura will respond to Seth Rollins’ challenge
  • Drew McInytre on MizTV

PCO Reportedly Gives Notice To Impact To Leave

PCO is reportedly leaving IMPACT Wrestling.

Pat Laprade of TVASports in Montreal said he spoke with sources very close to the situation and can confirm that PCO has given his notice to IMPACT Wrestling. PCO’s contact is said to be up on October 30.

PCO (Pierre Carl Ouellet) has been with IMPACT Wrestling since January 2022.

https://twitter.com/PatLaprade/status/1705677720040960080

Source: WrestleView

Updated List Of WWE Talent Releases (2023)

Due to the Endeavor merger, WWE has began releasing several wrestlers from their deals as of September 21, 2023 to save on costs. WWE released a few more names on September 22 and 23.

We will be updating this page with the latest names. This does not currently include names of upper management who were let go earlier in the week:

9/21

  • Dolph Ziggler
  • Elias
  • Aliyah
  • Rick Boogs
  • Riddick Moss
  • Emma
  • Top Dolla
  • Shelton Benjamin
  • Dana Brooke
  • Mustafa Ali
  • Mansoor
  • Mace
  • Shanky
  • Dabba Kato / Commander Azeez / Babatunde (NXT)
  • Quincy Elliot (NXT)
  • Bryson Montana (NXT)
  • Yulisa Leon (NXT)
  • Daniel McArthur (NIL)
  • Kevin Ventura-Cortez (NIL)
  • Alexis Gray (NIL)
  • Brooklyn Barlow (NIL)

9/22

  • Matt Riddle
  • Ikeman Jiro (NXT)
  • Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald (NIL)

9/23

  • Melanie Brzezinski (NIL)

Sami Callihan Is Reportedly Leaving Impact Wrestling

Sami Callihan’s contract with Impact Wrestling will be expiring in one week.

PWInsider is reporting that Callihan is expected to be leaving the company. Multiple sources have confirmed that Callihan will be exiting the promotion when his contract expires on September 30th. It is said that Saturday night’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings in Memphis, TN marked the end of Callihan’s current run with the company. The departure is said to be amicable.

Callihan will become a free agent on October 1st, and there is said to be interest in him from several companies. Some of those companies are interested in his on-screen talents while others are interested in having him work as a producer/agent.

Sheamus Reportedly Suffering From A Really Bad Injury

Sheamus hasn’t competed in a WWE ring since he was defeated by Edge in what could be the “Rated-R Superstar’s” final-ever match for the company. While his absence hasn’t been addressed by the company, Dave Meltzer has revealed on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio” that Sheamus is currently out of action due to a really bad shoulder injury.

While there are no details as to when the “Celtic Warrior” sustained the issue or how long he is going to be on the shelf for, this is the reason he hasn’t been shown on television, nor has he been part of WWE live events throughout the past month. Neither Sheamus nor WWE has made an official comment on the situation, and it remains to be seen what the long-term plan is.  

Sheamus’ future has been a big talking point as of late anyway due to the fact his contract with the company is set to expire in 2024, but that is something that could end up being extended now if he’s out for a while as WWE could tag that time on. 

This is not the first injury that the Irishman has sustained throughout his tenure with WWE, which began back in 2006. While he’s had several smaller issues over the years he did deal with a major neck injury back in 2019 which took him out of action for nine months and sparked retirement rumors, but it remains to be seen if his current problem will be as severe.

WWE has been continuing to use his fellow Brawling Brutes as a tag team as Butch and Ridge Holland have been getting opportunities to shine together as a duo, which could open the door for Sheamus to rejoin the group when he is able to return. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 9/23/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision Live on TNT from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • Texas Death Match: Ricky Starks vs. Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
  • Jay White vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • TNT Championship: Luchasaurus (c) vs. Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage
  • Rob Van Dam & HOOK vs. Angelo Parker & Matt Menard
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Julia Hart