OVW’s Netflix Docuseries ‘Wrestlers’ To Premiere Next Month

‘Wrestlers’ is set to premiere on September 13, 2023, on Netflix, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling). 

It comes from director and executive producer Greg Whitely, who is responsible for past Netflix projects such as ‘Cheer’ and ‘Last Chance U.’

The trailer features Al Snow, Matt Jones, Cash Flo, and Haley J. The official synopsis for the series reads:

“Once a proud finishing school for aspiring pro wrestlers, the gym has since hit hard times. Acclaimed wrestler Al Snow clings to an old school wrestling philosophy with a heavy emphasis on storytelling, but in spite of the love of a few diehard fans, the gym struggles week to week to stay relevant enough to keep its doors open. Things have become so dire financially that Al has to sell a majority stake to a group of local businessmen including Matt Jones, the most popular radio personality in the state of Kentucky. Matt and the new ownership group have infused the struggling gym with much-needed cash but it still operates at a staggering loss. The new owners have given Al the summer to turn things around. Wrestlers chronicles the efforts Al and his band of aspiring wrestlers make as they struggle with their personal ambitions and each other while they attempt to come together to save this historic gym.”

Source: eWn

Brian Cage Misses AAA TripleMania XXXI Due To Emergency Room Visit

Brian Cage was originally scheduled to compete in a Latin American Championship Match against Penta, QT Marshall, and Dralistico at AAA TripleMania XXXI: Mexico City this weekend. However, he was forced to withdraw due to some kind of injury.

Cage posted a video earlier today, revealing that he was hospitalized which prevented him from appearing at TripleMania XXXI. He wrote,

“For those who have asked or hoped to see me at #TriplemaniaXXXI last night, here’s why I wasn’t there. I’m gonna be just fine. Only sidelined very briefly, I’ll be gtg next week!”

Source: eWn

The Young Bucks – ‘Blood & Guts Match Was Rushed’

On a recent edition of the “Swerve City Podcast,” Nick Jackson stated that the ending for the Blood & Guts match on AEW Dynamite last month was indeed rushed.

Nick was frustrated with having to finish the main event early. He said,

“There are some moments, I’ll be honest, I want to say it was Blood & Guts, we had to take the match home quick. I look at Matt and Hangman, “Dangit! That wasn’t the best match. I wanted it to be the best match.’ Matt is like, ‘are we all healthy? Can we walk?’ ‘Yeah. Oh, you’re right.’ Even I get lost sometimes in the moment, ‘I wanted it to go this way, but I’m healthy, whatever.’ That was in the ring, not backstage. The bell rang, we’re raising our hands, and I’m like, ‘Dangit.’”

Matt Jackson noted they watched the match back later and “were popping for everything. At the end of the hour, we’re like, ‘that was friggin’ great.’”

Nick said, Yeah. I was like, ‘what was I mad about?‘”

Source: eWn

AJ Mendez & WOW – Women Of Wrestling Parting Ways?

It appears that AJ Mendez (AJ Lee in WWE) and WOW – Women of Wrestling will be parting ways in the near future.

Over the weekend, Mendez took to her Instagram Stories to announce that her contract as an Executive Producer and commentator for the company is coming to an end. She wrote,

“As my contract with @wowsuperheroes winds down, I wanna thank the ladies for welcoming me into their locker room, our hair and makeup talk sessions, and constantly inspiring me with their hard work, talent, and genuine camaraderie. I’ll try to come back and play in the future! I hope all you fans keep watching next season to support these incredible athletes and stars of tomorrow.

(this project is non-union, but while we’re here #wgastrong #sagaftrastrong”

Lee has been a huge proponent of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes involving the two unions. She has also written several projects herself.

Mendez joined WOW – Women Of Wrestling back in 2021.

Source: eWn

Vince McMahon Served Search Warrant & Federal Grand Jury Subpoena

As revealed in the latest WWE quarterly earnings report, WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon was served with a search warrant and federal grand jury subpoena on July 17. Asked about the warrant and subpoena on a media call covering the earnings report, WWE CEO Nick Khan declined to comment on specifics but stated that they were cooperating with the investigation (via Twitter). McMahon underwent major spinal surgery two weeks back, likely within days of being served with the subpoena.

While the specific details of the warrant and subpoena remain a mystery, it’s known that McMahon has been under investigation for allegedly paying off a number of women in an attempt to keep them quiet regarding sexual misconduct. As of now, no charges have been filed against McMahon.

Elsewhere in the report, WWE confirmed that the independent investigation into McMahon has concluded. However, it states the company could receive further “regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas, [and] demands” pending outside investigations, referring to the current federal inquiry.

Just over a year ago, McMahon stepped down as WWE CEO as allegations emerged accusing him of sexual misconduct. McMahon remained the controlling majority shareholder, and reinstated himself as Executive Chairman of the company’s board in January of this year. Additionally, while McMahon’s son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, reportedly remains in control as head of creative, there have been various reports that McMahon has had a growing influence on TV programming.

WWE is in the midst of a merger with UFC, where it will join the MMA promotion under the Endeavour corporate umbrella. Up to this point, McMahon has had the support of Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel throughout the merger process.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Elite Sign New Multi-Year Deals With AEW

Sports Illustrated reported today that The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Hangman Page) have each signed new multi-year deals with the company.

The article added Omega and the Bucks will also continue in their roles as Executive Vice Presidents.

Their deals were slated to expire at the end of this year and reportedly had interest from WWE.

“I’m excited to share that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Hangman Adam Page will all be staying in AEW for years to come,” AEW owner Tony Khan said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating the great news with fans around the world.”

Tony Khan confirmed that the new deals with The Elite were inked before tonight’s 200th episode of “AEW Dynamite,”

Here are the statements made by Omega and The Young Bucks:

Kenny Omega: “Our original goal was to create a wrestling alternative and give a platform to talented people that we’d all felt deserved a spotlight,” he said. “I feel like we did our best in that time, and hopefully some people you’d never heard of pre-AEW are folks you enjoy watching today. Or if you knew them from their previous work elsewhere, have maybe found a new appreciation for them. That feeling, combined with the feeling of knowing they can provide for themselves and their family doing what they love, was always the biggest reward of being an EVP/founder. Pro wrestling has a presence almost everywhere on the planet,” he continued. “In my pursuit to become as complete of a performer as possible, my goal was always to experience the styles of the world at their highest level. I believe that with AEW’s current working relationships, and possibly future, I can challenge all forms of pro wrestling and diversify my style so that I’m equipped for any scenario I may encounter in the ring. I was careful to weigh out all options and was open minded to all possibilities,” said Omega. “I’m here to help whomever I can while I’m still around. Up to this point, I’ve made the choice to sacrifice everything in the name of pro wrestling. I can’t say that family or my kids influenced the decision to stay with AEW–I’m not married and without kids–but what I can say is that I’m incredibly proud of my match catalog and the wonderful people I’ve met and continue to meet. AEW not only allows me to continue doing what I do at a high level, but allows the freedom to pursue some other passions I have in life–which, after nearly 25 years in the ring, have become more and more important to me.”

Matt Jackson: “We’re literally the ‘E’ in AEW,” he said. “The Elite are the main characters of this company. No matter how different AEW is now from its original inception, we are the DNA. And if you lose the foundation of your home, it eventually collapses. It’d be a lie if I said that didn’t weigh on us, when making the decision. In my older years of my career, being closer to the end than I am the beginning, I’m not really one who worries much about my legacy anymore,” he continued. “I’ve kind of noticed, like a summer tan, most memories fade. Or, they’re remembered differently or told with errors anyway. Oftentimes the memory is almost instantly forgotten, because you hit the refresh button. As far as my own personal stories, I’ll have enough to retell my grandchildren for a lifetime. And much of those stories can be about how I helped create a massively successful wrestling company where all of your favorites can be seen on live television every week.”

Nick Jackson: “If we’re going to be honest the schedule was a huge part of it,” he said. “I have a wife and three young children and seeing them as much as possible was a big factor. I’m not going to lie, the money was a huge factor, too. At this point of my life and career, I just couldn’t see myself being on the road half of the year or even more than that. I have so much respect for the guys and girls that are able to do that year after year. We for sure could’ve made memories in WWE, but what’s more important to me is making memories with my family. With the position we’re in, I’ll be able to do that and still make memories in AEW.”

Welsh Wrestling Legend Adrian Street Passed Away

Welsh professional wrestler Adrian Street has died at the age of 82, according to a report from BBC. Street, who was the subject of multiple documentaries focused on his life and career (including a WWE Network special), recently suffered a stroke. According to Street’s wife and former wrestling manager, known professionally as Miss Linda, complications associated with that stroke are believed to have caused his death.

Street began his professional wrestling career in August 1957 (via Wrestling Heritage). With his final match taking place in November 2010, Street’s in-ring career lasted for more than 53 years. In that time, Street was a six-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion and a Mid-South Television Champion.

Prior to his move to North America in the early 1980s, Street honed his craft in the United Kingdom wrestling scene, developing a flamboyant character that took inspiration from “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and “Gorgeous” George. With his persona, Street helped pave the way for characters such as Goldust to find a place in professional wrestling. In fact, with his popularity in England, Street is believed to have played a role in popularizing the “glam rock” look that rose over the course of the 1970s.

In addition to his work inside the ring, Street was an author, actor, musician, trainer, and costume-maker, alongside his wife. The two resided in Florida for a long time, but returned home to Wales in the last several years. Last year, Street and his wife were both present at WWE’s Clash at the Castle event in Cardiff, Wales.

A picture of Street, dressed in his wrestling costume while standing beside his father in his miner’s clothes, is viewed by many as the “most important post-war picture ever taken” in the United Kingdom. The picture is said to represent the nation’s shift from industry to entertainment.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 7/28/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at 10/9c.

  • Tag Team Battle Royal for a Future World Tag Team Title Match: Big Bill & Brian Cage, The Butcher & The Blade, Ethan Page & Brother Zay, The Hardys, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker, Serpentico & Luther, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh, Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal 
  • The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) w/Maria Kanellis in action
  • Komander vs. Kip Sabian 
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose

“The Iron Claw” Movie About The Von Erich Family Gets Release Date

Variety is reporting that A24’s “The Iron Claw,” a movie about the Von Erich family, has a release date.

The movie was written and directed by Sean Durkin. It’s slated to be financed and produced by A24.

The cast includes Zac Efron (Kevin Von Erich), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry), Harris Dickinson (David), Holt McCallany (Fritz Von Erich), Maura Tierney (Doris Von Erich), Aaron Dean Eisenberg (Ric Flair), MJF (Lance Von Erich), and Kevin Anton (Harley Race).

The movie will release in theaters on December 22nd. You can check out the official synopsis for the film below:

“Based on the true story of the Von Erichs, the film follows the rise and fall of the family dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.” 

Source: eWn

Ex-WCW Star Buff Bagwell Was Recently Arrested For Speeding & DUI

Former WCW and WWE star Marcus ‘Buff’ Bagwell was arrested earlier this month, it has been confirmed.

Bagwell was arrested on July 13, according to Cobb County records in Marietta, GA, and was pulled over for speeding, which is a misdemeanor.

Bagwell was also charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, also a misdemeanor, and was released from jail on July 15.

This is the latest setback for Bagwell, who has a history of prior legal issues, many stemming from substance abuse-related reasons.

Earlier this year, Bagwell revealed that he was seven months clean after a lengthy battle with addiction.

Source: eWn