Author: John Bass

WWE SmackDown Preview 12/4/20

The Road to TLC will continue with tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode.

WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s show – King Baron Corbin vs. Murphy. This will be a rematch from last week’s show, which saw interference from The Mysterio Family, on Murphy’s behalf.

WWE has also announced that tonight’s show will see WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns deliver a message to Kevin Owens over last week’s brutal attack to Jey Uso. It’s believed that Owens vs. Reigns will be confirmed for TLC soon.

SmackDown should also see some of the midcard feuds continue for TLC, including Big E vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.

Backstage News On Plans For Crossover AEW – Impact Wrestling Match, Don Callis’ Future

This past Wednesday night, AEW presented a special edition of Dynamite titled “Winter Is Coming”. On top of the surprise debut of Sting, the show ended with Kenny Omega defeating Jon Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Omega was assisted by current Impact executive Don Callis for the win. Following the bout, Callis announced that Omega would be headed to Impact this coming Tuesday to discuss the title win.

According to Wrestling Inc., the relationship between Impact and AEW is not currently scheduled to be that intertwined. From what we have heard, Omega’s appearance on Impact will be a one-off and was largely done as a favor from Omega for Don Callis, who is a good friend of Omega’s. Omega also requested that Don work as the commentator for his big title win over Moxley.

Tony Khan apparently liked the idea and signed off on it. Beyond Omega making a one-off appearance on Impact, it was also relayed to us that The Good Brothers will likely be coming to AEW for one match as well. Omega’s appearance on Impact this Tuesday will likely be used to setup the Brothers coming to AEW to take on a team that was not disclosed to us, however, the Young Bucks would seem likely.

Furthermore, we have heard that Don Callis’ contract with Impact Wrestling may be coming up next month. Once Callis is done with Impact, it sounds like he would move to AEW full-time to work as Omega’s on-screen manager.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW – Impact Wrestling Alliance Reportedly “In The Works For A While”

Impact Wrestling executive Don Callis helped Kenny Omega defeat Jon Moxley to capture the AEW World Championship during last night’s Winter is Coming edition of AEW Dynamite.

After the controversial finish, Callis announced that Omega would appear on next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling and explain his actions. With Omega set to appear on a different wrestling show, Impact and AEW stars have taken to social media and pondered the possibilities of inter-promotional rivalries.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, “the Callis thing has been in the works for a while” and he presumed that Callis was the person who pitched the idea to have Omega show up on Impact. In addition to appearing on Impact, Omega will also be doing an interview on next week’s episode of Dynamite.ADVERTISING

It is widely documented that Callis was the one who convinced Chris Jericho to wrestle Omega at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 12, a match which reportedly led to AEW President Tony Khan conceiving the idea for AEW. AEW and Impact could possibly use that history in the storyline and Meltzer noted that the two promotions “are going to be working together to a degree” although full details of their partnership are unclear.

It was noted that Impact Wrestling showing a match between Young Bucks and Motor City Machine Guns during this week’s episode “was more than just a coincidence” even though Impact regularly airs old matches.

Omega will travel to Mexico soon to defend his AAA Mega Championship against Laredo Kid at Triplemania XXVIII on December 12. AEW already has a partnership with NWA which allows Thunder Rosa to wrestle for AEW and Serena Deeb to hold the NWA Women’s World Title. Similarly, Meltzer said it would not be surprising if Impact’s biggest stars show up on Dynamite soon.

Meltzer said that AEW President Tony Khan’s recent tweets about “a shift in wrestling’s balance of power” were meant to be about the events that transpired on Dynamite last night — from the debut of Sting to the alliance between AEW and Impact.

It was noted that it appears as if Callis will be Omega’s manager going forward and the angle could be similar to Bobby Heenan managing former AWA Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel in the 1970s. Bockwinkel was involved in the first-ever AWA versus WWWF World Title Unification match, wrestling WWWF Champion Bob Backlund, to a double count-out in March 1979. After dropping the title to Verne Gagne, Bockwinkel was handed back the AWA Championship when Gagne retired in 1981. This led to Bockwinkel becoming one of wrestling’s biggest heels. Callis even tweeted out a photo of Heenan and Bockwinkle on Thursday morning, as seen below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kenny Omega Wins AEW World Championship, Headed To Impact With Don Callis

Kenny Omega is the new All Elite Wrestling World Champion after he defeated Jon Moxley in the main event of this week’s Dynamite … with a little help from Don Callis.

Callis was a special guest commentator for the match due to his association with Kenny Omega’s family (Kenny’s Uncle, The Golden Sheik, was Callis’ manager in Manitoba’s WFWA promotion).

But it seemed that Callis has no intention of staying at the commentary desk.

Omega was able to steal a win from Moxley after Callis distracted the ref with a mic … the same mic that Omega then used to bash the defending champ in the face with.

Omega covered Mox for the victory and was declared the new AEW World Champion. Callis then made a hasty exit from the building with the new champ in toe.

Before getting in a car, Callis said he would explain his actions on Tuesday night’s edition of Impact Wrestling, seemingly confirming a partnership between the two promotions.

Check out footage of Omega’s sneaky victory and subsequent escape below.

Sting Debuted On AEW, Signed Multi-Year Deal

After months of rumors, “The Icon” Sting has appeared on AEW TV for the first time with a thrilling debut on this week’s Dynamite.

Below is a recap of Sting’s appearance:

Post-match, Hobbs gets back in the ring and runs over Allin. Arn gets into the ring and swings away on Hobbs! He drops Starks with a punch. Starks then beats up Arn, but Dustin Rhodes runs out for the save. Bulldog on Hobbs, spinning powerslam on Starks. Brian Cage runs out and drops Dustin with an F-5. Cody takes an F-5, Hobbs has the FTW Championship now and Hobbs goes to hit him with it, but the lights go out.

Music plays and a video plays on the big screen. Sting walks out! He pulls out his trademark black bat. Team Taz bails out of the ring. Sting walks up to Arn Anderson and looks at him for a moment. He goes to Dustin, looks at him, then goes over to Cody in the corner. Sting gets up and makes his way to Darby Allin and gets right in his face for a longer period of time. Sting then walks to the ramp and gives a few “Woo!” chants to the crowd and walks to the back.

Following the segment, the Dynamite commentary team confirmed that Tony Khan had signed Sting to a multi-year contract.

Check out Sting’s AEW debut below.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, AEW plans to feature Sting as a regular character on TV and not just as a legend making sporadic appearances once in a while. Meltzer noted AEW wanted to bring in “a star from the old generation of TNT as a regular” since such a move could potentially help draw in fans from yesteryears.

It was noted that AEW will be careful with the 61-year-old Sting and that “he won’t be taking any bumps”, despite being used as a regular character on TV. In the event that Sting does anything physical, it would be done with utmost precaution, added Meltzer.

With AEW already releasing new Sting merchandise, Meltzer made a note of the timing behind Sting’s debut. “They timed this right before Christmas,” he said, while adding that Sting’s arrival gives the company a great boost going into the holiday season.

After Sting’s WWE legends contract expired in May, WWE pulled all of his merchandise in October. Typically, most WWE alumni re-sign their legends contracts. However, when Sting didn’t re-sign, the writing was on the wall for him to join AEW, according to Meltzer.

MLW Fusion Preview 12/2/20

2 Opera Cup opening round bouts! Big CONTRA debut and more!

•Opera Cup Opening Round: Low Ki vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

•Opera Cup Opening Round: Laredo Kid vs. ACH

•CONTRA’s masked man vs. Ariel Dominguez

MLW returns TONIGHT at 7pm ET with the opening round of the Opera Cup on FUSION available on Fubo Sports, Pluto TV and YouTube.  Learn more about where to watch

“The Black Hand of CONTRA” looms as the 2020 Opera Cup opening round culminates on this edition of MLW Fusion, presented by newlawoffice.com.

In a highly talked about return bout of last year, Low Ki and Davey Boy Smith Jr find themselves standing in each other’s way in the Opera Cup opening round, as each man vies for a chance to move one step closer to making history. Can Low Ki continue to run through every fighter in his path as he looks to stop a focused, well-prepped Smith? Or will the third generation grappler go two-for-two against the King of Knockouts and use that as a stepping stone as he looks to make history with back-to-back Opera Cup wins?

In an interpromotional dream bout, AAA has sent Laredo Kid to rumble with the returning ACH. Laredo Kid looks to bring the 1915 cup back to Mexico, but can he get past a hungry and focused ACH?

The black flags of CONTRA will rise as CONTRA Unit’s mysterious mercenary makes his official MLW debut! Who is this massive figure? 

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor readies for the semi-finals by dishing on what’s next for Team Filthy. 

Salina de la Renta stormed out of MLW HQ yesterday… which begs the question where in the world is Salina de la Renta now? Tune in to find out!

Join Rich Bocchini and Jared St. Laurent along with backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked tournament match-ups.

AEW Dynamite ‘Winter Is Coming’ Preview 12/2/20

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming episode airs on TNT from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

* Jon Moxley (c) vs. Kenny Omega (AEW World Championship)

* Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale (Private Party, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Matt Hardy, Hangman Page, Sammy Guevara, Matt Sydal, Scorpio Sky, Shawn Spears, Orange Cassidy, Kip Sabian, Miro, and Wardlow)

* Chris Jericho vs. Frankie Kazarian

* AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin and Cody vs. Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs

* Britt Baker vs. Leyla Hirsch

WWE NXT Preview 12/2/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will be the go-home show for Sunday’s “Takeover: WarGames 2020” event.

WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s show. Shotzi Blackheart will face Raquel Gonzalez in a Ladder Match to determine which team gets the WarGames advantage in the women’s match.

Tonight’s show will also see the reveal of the final member of Team Shotzi Blackheart. The team currently features Shotzi, Ember Moon and Rhea Ripley. Candice LeRae is teaming with Gonzalez, Dakota Kai and Toni Storm.

United Wrestling Network Suspending Weekly PPV Series Due To COVID-19

For the past few months, United Wrestling Network and NWA have been doing the weekly PPVs, “Primetime Live.” During last night’s PPV, United Wrestling Network President Dave Marquez announced that the PPV series will be suspended for the rest of 2020.

The suspension is due to the ongoing pandemic and Marquez not knowing where things may lead with California. Primetime Live is produced at the Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

The UWN President also doesn’t want to keep changing the weekly lineup at the last minute due to COVID-19.

Lio Rush, Mike Bennett, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Fred Rosser, Thunder Rosa, Chris Dickinson, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis, and NWA World Women’s Champion Serena Deeb are just a few who have been part of the weekly PPV series.

The plan is for Primetime Live to return in 2021. We will keep you updated once an official return date is announced.

https://twitter.com/unitedwrestling/status/1333965635974352896
https://twitter.com/unitedwrestling/status/1333976966131748864

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Hall Of Famer Pat Patterson Passes Away

WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.

The inaugural WWE Intercontinental Champion had recently battled cancer. Tony Marinaro noted on Twitter that Patterson passed away in a Miami hospital this morning.

Born Pierre Clemont, Patterson started his career in the late ’50s and is famed for being the first openly gay WWF star. His career spanned more than six decades, most recently winning WWE’s 24/7 Championship in 2019.

As part of Vince McMahon’s most trusted circle throughout his wrestling career, Patterson is credited with the creation and format of the famed Royal Rumble match, a fan-favorite and staple of WWE’s yearly programming for more than 30 years.

Alongside Gerald Brisco, Patterson regained fame during the WWF “Attitude Era” as one of McMahon’s villainous on-screen henchmen, often playing into nefarious schemes and storylines to help prop up the evil McMahon. He’s often credited with helping boost McMahon’s character into another stratosphere.

Long heralded for his ability to spot and cultivate talent and his influential mind for the business, Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 and is widely considered one of the greatest minds in wrestling history. Serving as wrestler, commentator, on-screen crony and behind-the-scenes mastermind, Patterson touched all four posts in wrestling.

“In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes,” WWE said in a statement.

Below is WWE’s statement:

WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.

A true trailblazer of the industry, Patterson was linked to many “firsts” in sports-entertainment throughout his storied career, including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match. In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes.

Patterson began his career in 1958 in his native Canada before becoming a fixture in the Bay Area for nearly two decades. After winning the AWA Tag Team Championship with Ray Stevens in 1978, Patterson moved on to WWE. Under the tutelage of The Grand Wizard, Patterson made an immediate impact and became the first Intercontinental Champion in September 1979. Patterson’s most legendary WWE rivalry was undoubtedly his war with Sgt. Slaughter, which captivated the WWE Universe with Boot Camp Matches and a brutal Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden.

Shortly before his in-ring retirement in 1984, Patterson joined Mr. McMahon as a color commentator. Even after hanging up his boots, Patterson was far from finished reimagining the possibilities of the sports-entertainment industry. In 1988, Patterson brought one of the ring’s most groundbreaking ideas to life by creating the original format for the Royal Rumble Match.

Patterson returned to the ring during WWE’s electric “Attitude Era,” creating many memorable moments alongside Gerald Brisco as one of Mr. McMahon’s hilarious “Stooges.” Patterson even pinned Crash Holly to claim the Hardcore Title. For all his efforts, Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret Hart.

In his 25-plus years in WWE, Patterson was synonymous with making history. From the Intercontinental Title to the Royal Rumble Match and beyond, his name will forever be revered in WWE lore. This amazing legacy was captured in Patterson’s 2016 autobiography, Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE, a moving chronicle about his life both inside and out of the ring.

WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.

The wrestling world mourns the loss of the iconic Patterson: