Author: John Bass

Backstage News On Steve Cutler’s WWE Release

There was heat on Steve Cutler after he was sidelined from WWE television after contracting COVID-19 in January. It was noted that the heat was specifically from Vince McMahon, and the belief by some people backstage is that it was the reason for the release.

Cutler was actually in attendance at the WWE Performance Center as he offered to bump for the “big man” class that has been taking place there. It was noted that Cutler was a welcome familiar face at the facility and was well liked.

According to the report, WWE has indicated that the “door was open” for Cutler to return down the line.

Cutler, along with Wesley Blake and Jaxson Ryker, were called up to the SmackDown brand last April. The group was pulled from television last June after a controversial tweet from Ryker praising Donald Trump shortly after the killing of George Floyd. Cutler posted a tweet seemingly distancing himself from Ryker, writing, “Although I am part of a tag team while I wrestle, I am my own person with my own thoughts and beliefs. It pains me to see what’s going on in the world. I fought for the freedom of our country and ALL of the people who live here. It shouldn’t matter your race or however you identify, we are ALL human beings and ALL deserve to be equal. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd”

Cutler and Blake briefly returned to television last December as part of a faction with Baron Corbin, but the group was quickly dropped.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Announces Partnership With The Roku Channel

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced a deal to bring NJPW content to The Roku Channel in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. A one-hour series of programming will premiere on February 11.

Episodes are scheduled to air every Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. on The Roku Channel. Replays will be available on-demand thereafter. NJPW also announced that The Roku Channel will host a block of library content featuring the best matches from 2020. There is also potential for the introduction of more historical content in the future.

“Expanding the breadth and quality of our programming has fueled The Roku Channel to one of the largest and fastest growing channels on our platform,” Ashley Hovey, Director of AVOD Growth, Roku said. “Sports programming continues to be an important category for our users, and we are very excited to partner with NJPW to put the world of professional wrestling at the fingertips of millions of engaged users on The Roku Channel.”

President of NJPW Takami Ohbari also spoke on the deal. He noted that fans in the U.S., Canada and The UK have wanted NJPW content available and is looking forward to NJPW’s partnership with The Roku Channel.

“Our fans in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are among our most loyal, and they have been very clear that they want NJPW’s content made available to them,” said Takami Ohbari, President of NJPW. “NJPW is unlike any other pro-wrestling in the world.

“It is the most athletic, sports-oriented pro-wrestling on the planet, and we are excited to bring our athletes and matches to these markets in such a major way. Thank you to The Roku Channel, and we look forward to a successful partnership that brings NJPW to millions of new fans around the world.”

Wrestling Inc. reported that NJPW had been in talks with Pluto TV as well about airing their content on the streaming platform. NJPW’s new partnership with The Roku Channel comes after their contract with AXS TV ended in late 2019.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Details On AEW – NJPW Working Relationship

The wrestling world was stunned when KENTA attacked Jon Moxley on AEW Dynamite following the end of the main event. The two are set to face off for Moxley’s IWGP United States Championship at NJPW Strong and follows Moxley’s attack on KENTA at the last NJPW Strong show.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that AEW and NJPW are in a working relationship. He said that a deal needed to be made for NJPW to have Moxley on their shows to defend the U.S. Title and in return, KENTA would show up on Dynamite.

Post-Dynamite, AEW World Champion Kenny Omega met up with KENTA backstage. Things did not go smoothly between them with KENTA telling Omega to “shut the f**k up.” However, Omega challenged Moxley and Lance Archer to a Lights Out, Falls Count Anywhere Match where he would team up with KENTA.

The future of AEW and NJPW’s relationship is unclear going forward due to the pandemic, travel restrictions and quarantine preventing talents from both companies traveling to and from the U.S. and Japan. Meltzer noted that KENTA could easily crossover because he lives in Orlando, and it is possible for other NJPW talent that live in the U.S. to possibly crossover as well.

Meltzer also noted that there are people in AEW that cannot wait to go back to Japan. He followed up by saying that once travel restrictions and quarantine regulations are cleared up, anything is possible including IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi and AEW World Champion Omega facing off, something that the two want to happen someday.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

KENTA Appeared At AEW ‘Beach Break’

Former WWE Superstar and current New Japan Pro Wrestling roster member KENTA has appeared on AEW programming for the first time.

KENTA showed up at the end of this week’s special Dynamite episode, which was titled “Beach Break.”

The man formerly known as Hideo Itami invaded the ring with his face covered and attacked Jon Moxley following the main event. He then pulled down his face mask to reveal himself before hitting Mox with a G2S.

The New Japan star — who was wearing a “G2Sleep” Bullet Club t-shirt — also stared down former Bullet Club member Kenny Omega.

Check out KENTA’s AEW debut in the clip below.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1357162388861177857

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

MLW Fusion Preview 2/3/2021

MLW returns TONIGHT at 7pm ET with Fusion, featuring the first-ever Baklei Brawl and a World Tag Team title bout on Fubo Sports, Roku Channel, DAZN and YouTube.  Learn more about where to watch.

  • Baklei Brawl: Alex Hammerstone vs. Mads Krügger
  • World Tag Team Championship: Los Parks (c) vs. TJP & Bu Ku Dao
  • Gino Medina vs. Gringo Loco
  • Jordan Oliver vs. Sentai Death Squad

Stream on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VwRTX239LPw

Alex Hammerstone collides with Mads Krügger in the first-ever MLW sanctioned Baklei Brawl presented by by newlawoffice.com.

The CONTRA hunter becomes the hunted as the mighty Hammerstone ventures deep into CONTRA territory.

Hammerstone has demanded another fight with the CONTRA commander and now he finally gets his wish… albeit on CONTRA’s terms! The Baklei Brawl, an extremely dangerous bare knuckle fight, was made famous in the South African underworld. It’s also a fight the masked mercenary of CONTRA has a lot of experience with.

Can Hammer finally bring down CONTRA’s seemingly indestructable 7 footer? Or will the mighty Hammerstone be added to CONTRA’s growing body count? Tune in to find out

Los Parks put their newly won World Tag Team Championship on the line against the high flying and technical assault of 5 feet of fury in Bu Ku Dao and his mentor TJP! 

With speculation swirling around Promociones Dorado being sold to a mysterious new owner & proprietor, what does the empresaria have up her sleeve to impress her new boss and ensure Los Parks remain champions?

The sports world is buzzing following the shocking revelation that ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy was the assigned official for last week’s Caribbean Strap Match between Savio Vega and Richard Holliday. With rumors of corruption swirling, Alicia Atout provides an update from the league regarding a potential investigation into these allegations.

Prize fights in paradise or Fire Festival 2.0? Amid rumors of major financial woes, Team Filthy presents the first Filthy Island Control Center. Will Ross and Marshall Von Erich get invited? Tune in to find out!

Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver are out for some justice but what happens when the 20-year old Oliver squares off with a member of the Sentai Death Squad?

Gino is back! “El Intocable” Gino Medina makes his return to competition as he takes on Lucha Libre veteran Gringo Loco.

Join Rich Bocchini, fight analyst Jared St. Laurent, and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked competition headlined by the first ever MLW sanctioned Baklei Brawl and a marquee world tag title fight.

Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. Learn more about where to watch.

AEW Dynamite ‘Beach Break’ Preview 2/3/2021

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Beach Break episode airs on TNT at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

* Lance Archer vs. Eddie Kingston in a Lumberjack Match

* The wedding of Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford

* Dr. Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa

* Tag Team Battle Royal to determine the new #1 contenders to AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks for a title shot at Revolution

* AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and Impact World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers vs. Jon Moxley, PAC and Rey Fenix

* Matt Hardy and Hangman Page vs. Chaos Project

WWE NXT Preview 2/3/2021 – Edge To Appear, Dusty Rhodes Classics To Continue

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be headlined by WWE Hall of Famer Edge making his first appearance on the brand.

Lars Sullivan Reportedly No-Showed WWE Tapings, Lars On What Led To His Release

Lars Sullivan reportedly no-showed WWE TV tapings before he was released.

On Tuesday, it was revealed by PWInsider that WWE quietly released Sullivan back in January some time. Dave Meltzer noted on the F4Wonline.com message board that at one point WWE Chairman & CEO really wanted to push Lars, but that changed over time. Lars reportedly no-showed WWE TV tapings before he was released.

There’s no word on when Lars actually no-showed, but WWE was working a new storyline with him in late October and November before he disappeared from TV for the last time. His last match came on the October 23 SmackDown show, when he defeated Chad Gable. He defeated Jeff Hardy the week before that, which was his TV return match. WWE began airing vignettes and sitdown interviews with Lars in late October and November, but nothing ever came of it.

Lars spoke with Fightful Select on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed the departure, noting that he was surprised WWE didn’t announce it themselves. Lars chalked the release up to WWE being nice about everything, and he was very complimentary of how the company handled his departure. He added that they released him with “compassion and honesty.”

Sullivan noted that he told WWE he was done with pro wrestling after battling crippling anxiety issues, to the point of struggling to eat during days where they were doing TV tapings. He also had trouble sleeping. Lars lost his father last year, which added to an already-tough year for him. He said he is his own worst enemy, and owned up to multiple issues that prevented him from gaining traction in what he described as his dream job.

Regarding his future, Sullivan also said he’s likely done with pro wrestling. He once again took responsibility for the issues that led to his departure, calling some of his actions “idiocy” and “his own selfish behavior.” Lars was also grateful for the experience with WWE.

One WWE source noted that they saw Lars’ shirtless sitdown interviews with Michael Cole as “sabotage, but if it was a test, he passed it.”

Sullivan said he liked doing the promo segment and saw it as WWE trying to add more depth to his character. He revealed that he was given specific instructions to breath heavy through his nose, and use the verbiage that he did.

Lars reiterated that he was treated well by both the WWE office and others in the locker room, noting that this was not a case of bullying.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 2/2/2021

IMPACT! tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and Twitch!

* AEW’s Matt Hardy and Private Party will appear

* Jordynne Grace w/Jazz vs. Susan w/Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee

* Madman Fulton w/Ace Austin vs. Josh Alexander

* Tasha Steelz w/Kiera Hogan vs. Havok w/Neveah

* X-Division Champion TJP vs Rohit Raju

* News on Ken Shamrock’s attack after last week’s Impact went off the air.

WWE RAW Preview 2/1/2021

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg with fallout from the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

WWE is teasing that The Road to WrestleMania 37 will continue with tonight’s RAW. WWE Hall of Famer Edge is likely to appear to celebrate his Men’s Rumble win, but they are also teasing a possible appearance by SmackDown Superstar Bianca Belair to follow up on her Women’s Rumble win.

No matches have been announced for tonight’s show but it’s likely that new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler will appear. It’s also possible that Riddle will get his title shot from WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley.

Below is WWE’s teaser for tonight:

What will be the fallout following Royal Rumble?

In the wake of the incredible 2021 Royal Rumble, what will be the fallout when The Road to WrestleMania continues on Monday Night Raw?

Will Royal Rumble Match winners Edge and/or SmackDown’s Bianca Belair emerge to name which World Champion they will challenge at The Showcase of the Immortals? Who else might step into the spotlight as Superstars begin to position themselves for a place on The Grandest Stage of Them All?

Don’t miss Raw, tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network.