Alicia Fox departed WWE back in May of this year and is now going by the name “Vix Crow” on the independent scene.
Speaking during a recent interview with “MuscleManMalcom,” the former WWE Divas Champion revealed that her new ring name is inspired by her real name of Victoria Elizabeth Michelle Crawford. In only a way she can attempt to explain, Fox stated:
“It’s a weird transition just because of — I think it’s in my innermost self that’s strangely transitioning because in my mind I’m like, ‘What was the last match I had? Was I good? Did I look like I could perform?’ All these things. But in that particular chapter in my life [with WWE], it wasn’t really expected to get much feedback. So, in this chance, I feel so inspired for many, many reasons.”
She continued, “I feel so inspired that this is an independent sphere. I can create here, and it’s okay. So it makes me, in my innermost self, wonder, ‘Well, what was my problem before and how am I going to fix it going forward?’ Because regardless if it’s the business, … am I going to perform to the best of my ability? I’m going to do my best. So, I need to just get it out of it.”
It was only a year ago when Saraya, then retired following a neck injury, found herself at a crossroads as a free agent after her WWE contract expired. Now, Saraya not only finds herself wrestling again, but a prominent member of AEW’s women’s division – part of The Outcasts with Ruby Soho and AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm.
But in an interview with “Inside The Ropes,” Saraya revealed that she could’ve gone down a different path if WWE would had taken a look at her neck to see if she had healed enough. But that was never something the promotion seriously considered.
“At WWE, I asked to see my neck a few times, and the medical said that the book was closed on that, and they weren’t gonna keep checking on it, which was really disappointing,” Saraya said. “So if I wanted to check on my neck, it would have to come out of my own pocket. Her name was Stacy — that was her who said that, by the way. So it wasn’t anything to do with like Hunter or anything, it was just that medical department, which I thought was a little unfair, but it’s okay.”
Ultimately, things worked out well for Saraya following a phone call from AEW owner Tony Khan, who offered her a job and the freedom to do whatever she wanted, including pursuing an in-ring comeback. Still, Saraya admitted she’s taken this comeback slow, in order to preserve herself as a competitor long-term.
“I was like ‘I’m smarter this time,'” Saraya said. “I have to be smarter. I’m starting my thirties here and I just want to work smarter, not harder, you know what I mean?”
WrestleCon has announced that Rick Steiner will be among the guests at an upcoming convention in Detroit, Michigan, which is set to take place in August. The news arrives in the wake of Steiner’s last WrestleCon appearance back in April, which saw him lobby transphobic insults at Impact Wrestling star Gisele Shaw.
Following the incident, WrestleCon apologized to Shaw for Steiner’s transphobic behavior, suggesting that they were backing the Impact star and cutting ties with Steiner. As such, the decision to bring him back for next month’s event has been receiving blowback on social media. However, the fan convention’s owner, Michael Bochicchio, has defended his decision to let Steiner attend the event. The statement, which can be found on the event’s Twitter page, claims that Steiner reached out to make amends after the incident.
“One of the positive things Rick did, and it was not publicized, is immediately apologize. He apologized to members of the Wrestlecon staff, he apologized to many of his fellow wrestlers, and offered apologies to the members of Impact Wrestling staff that chose to hear from him at a private mediated event. Giselle chose not to attend Rick’s apology, which we 100% understood, supported, and still support to this day. She had no obligation to hear anything from Rick nor should she ever feel obligated to accept any apology from him then or now.”
Bochicchio went on to say that Steiner has learned from the experience and that he believes in giving people second chances. However, the statement also claims that Steiner will be given a permanent ban if he demonstrates the same type of behavior at future events. As of this writing, Shaw has yet to comment on the matter.
Following his victory over Matt Cross at Next Generation Wrestling’s Wrestle Wars event, newly-crowned NGW Champion Tyler Breeze will soon reunite with his former tag team partner Fandango, who is now known as Dirty Dango. As revealed on NGW’s Twitter, Breeze will team up with Fandango at the promotion’s Nightmare in The Old City event, which is slated to take place on October 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The former “WWE NXT” Tag Team Champions, once known as Breezango, will now be introduced as Dirty Breeze.
NGW Nightmare in The Old City will mark the pair’s first tag team appearance since June 15, 2021, when they defeated Imperium’s Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel (Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser) on “WWE NXT.” Ten days later, WWE released both Breeze and Fandango. Upon their exit from WWE, Fandango returned to the independent circuit and later appeared in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he formed The Dirty Sexy Boys with JTG. After a stint in NWA, Fandango arrived at Impact Wrestling, where he is currently signed to.
Despite his release from WWE in 2021, Breeze reportedly remained under the company’s payroll. While it’s unclear if Breeze has any specific wrestling-related provisions in this deal, he is seemingly prohibited from appearing on AEW programming. In the meantime, though, Breeze continues to serve as a co-trainer at the Flatbacks wrestling school alongside AEW star Shawn Spears. He is also a regular guest on Xavier Woods’ UpUpDownDown YouTube channel.
After a two-year wrestling hiatus, Breeze finally made his return to the ring on July 8, where he won the aforementioned NGW Championship.
Countdown To Slammiversary Pre-show Jody Threat and The Death Dollz (Jessicka, Courtney Rush) def. The SHAWntourage (Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, Jai Vidal)
Countdown To Slammiversary Pre-show: Impact Digital Media Title Match Kenny King def. Joe Hendry (c) – NEW Digital Media Champion
King pins Hendry with his feet on the ropes and an assist from Jean to become the new Digital Media Champion
ULTIMATE X KUSHIDA def Alan Angels, Jonathan Gresham, Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey & Jake Something
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Titles Match Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly def. The Coven (KiLynn King, Taylor Wilde) (c) – NEW Knockouts World Tag Team Champions
In a jaw-dropping development, Eric Young is back from the dead and will be Scott D’Amore’s mystery partner
Scott D’Amore & Eric Young def Bully Ray & Deaner w/ Kon – Special Enforcer: Darren McCarty
Impact X-Division Title Match Lio Rush def. Chris Sabin (c) – NEW X-Division Champion
Fatal 4 Way for the Impact World Tag Team Titles Subculture (Mark Andrews, Flash Morgan Webster) def. Moose and Brian Myers vs. Rich Swann and Sami Callihan vs. ABC (Ace Austin, Chris Bey) (c) – NEW IMPACT World Tag Team Champions
Impact Knockouts World Title Match Trinity def. Deonna Purrazzo (c) – NEWKnockouts World Champion
Impact World Title Match Alex Shelley (c) def. Nick Aldis
Alex Shelley is celebrating his victory when former IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander makes his return from injury. Alexander goes face to face with Shelley and says “I’m back”.
GCW held their Now and Forever event on Friday night in New York City, New York.
During it, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.
As seen below, Cardona made his entrance dressed as The Undertaker.
Triple Threat Match: Gringo Loco defeated Komander and Arez.
Mance Warner defeated George South.
GCW World Tag Team Championships Match: The East West Express (Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne) (c) defeated The Bookers (Amazing Red & BXL) (w/Ultra Violette).
Singles Match: Maki Itoh defeated Billie Starkz. Post-match, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated YOSHIHIKO.
Grim Reefer, Matt Tremont & Homicide defeated Jimmy Lloyd, Miedo Extremo & Ciclope.
GCW World Championship Match: Blake Christian (c) defeated MAO.
MLW FUSION tonight at 7pm ET headlined by The Samoan SWAT Team vs The Second Gear Crew in a Hardcore match for the World Tag Team Championship, streaming on MLW’s YouTube channel and FITE+, Friday on beIN XTRA and Saturday on Cable TV’s beIN SPORTS (find a provider).
The Samoan SWAT Team vs The Second Gear Crew – Hardcore match for the World Tag Team Championship
AKIRA vs Lince Dorado – World Middleweight Championship
Mandy Leon vs Billie Starkz
The final stop on the road to Saturday’s Never Say Never live special on FITE+ is here!
The Samoan SWAT Team put their dominant reign over the tag team division to task as Lance Anoa’i and Juicy Finau wage war with The Second Gear Crew in a Hardcore match for the World Tag Team Championship!
Can the combined finesse of Juicy’s unmatched power and Lance’s crisp offense overcome professional wrestling’s dangerous highwaymen, or will Ol’ Mancer and 1 Called Manders spill blood and brawl their way to their first taste of championship gold in the league?
As the clock winds down to Never Say Never this Saturday on FITE+, Hammerstone and Alex Kane are in the house. Both champion and challenger will address the media for the final time ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship showdown this Saturday night.
Plus, rumors and innuendo of a shadowy power broker backing The BOMAYE Fight Club continue to cast a cloud over Never Say Never’s main event. Who could the mysterious backer be? Part 2 of MLW’s exclusive expose airs tonight!
“The World’s Greatest Wonder” Microman is on the scene with his jovial buddy Mister Saint Laurent. With it being Microman-Day in the city, Saint Laurent promises a big surprise for his little amigo.
The Calling’s “Death Fighter” AKIRA puts his newly won World Middleweight Championship on the line against former champ Lince Dorado in a rematch. Can Lince get lucha lit once again, or will the infamous calling card definitively claim Dorado as a victim?
After being on the receiving end of The Calling’s horrifying “gift” last week, Billie Starkz steps into the ring with Mandy Leon. Can Starkz stop The Calling’s attempted stranglehold over the Featherweight division dead in its tracks, or will Mandy turn Starkz into her own personal human horror show project? Tune in and find out!
Mickie James has announced that she will be making her in-ring return in France next weekend for the Biterroise Wrestling Association’s International Wrestling Festival show.
The event takes place on Saturday, July 8. This will be James’ first match since she relinquished the Knockouts Title due to a rib injury earlier this year.
James will be wrestling Aurora Teves at the International Wrestling Festival show.
The former Knockouts Champion tweeted,
“I can’t wait to go to France!!! My 1st match back from injury is a real test against @aurorateves & going international!!!! Then our 1st real VACATION in a very Looooooong time. So excited babe @RealNickAldis !!!! LFG!”
I can’t wait to go to France!!! My 1st match back from injury is a real test against @aurorateves & going international!!!! Then our 1st real VACATION in a very Looooooong time. So excited babe @RealNickAldis !!!! LFG! https://t.co/pEQYfDpGNv
James’ husband, Impact Wrestling star Nick Aldis, will also be in action at the show. Aldis will wrestle Tom La Ruffa for the ABC Ultimate Championship.
It will commemorate the original Concession Stand Brawl that took place June 15, 19, 1979 in Tupelo, Mississippi at the Tupelo Sports Arena.
Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee versus The Blond Bombers, Wayne Farris (Honky Tonk Man) and Larry Latham (Moondog Spot), spills out of the ring at the Tupelo Sports Arena to become the first legendary concession stand brawl to enter wrestling lore.
Commentary: Lance Russell – Referee: Jerry Calhoun
Al Snow Tag Team Comedy Featuring David Vox Mullen Coming to Premier Streaming Network
Comedy special available on PSN beginning on June 30th
Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar and current co-owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), Al Snow and the multi-talented comedian, actor, singer/song writer David Vox Mullen have put their creative minds together to bring a hilarious new comedy special to Premier Streaming Network (PSN). Produced by Under The L Productions, in association with Premier Studios, Al Snow Tag Team Comedy featuring David Vox Mullen will be the first comedy special on PSN and will be available on Friday, June 30th at 8:00 p.m./EST.
The hour-long show, recorded at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago and directed by Danny Reyes, blends outrageous stories from Snow’s time in the world of professional wrestling, along with Vox’s impressions and improv instincts for a one-of-kind special that will have viewers declaring Snow and Vox comedy’s tag team champions.
“I figured I’d give comedy a shot,” said Snow. “I mean, I was literally able to convince millions of people that I could knock another human being out with a plastic head.”
“This is a dream come true,” said Vox. “I remember watching Monday Night Raw during the Attitude Era, and watching a superstar that had so much charisma, such comedic timing, and that superstar was The Rock. But Al Snow was also on that show.”
“The Al Snow Tag Team Comedy special is the perfect fit for PSN,” said Josh Shernoff, Vice President, Programming and Creative Development at PSN. “This special serves as a seamless bridge between our well-established pro wrestling offerings and the exciting direction Premier Streaming Network and Premier Studios are heading in the entertainment space. This special really showcases our commitment to bringing innovative and engaging content to our audience.”
The Al Snow Tag Team Comedy featuring David Vox Mullen will be part of the Premier+ subscription, or can be purchased as a separate event for $11.99.
“Being both a wrestling fan and a fan of all things entertainment, Premier Streaming Network was by far the absolute perfect choice to produce this special,” added Vox.
“We are thrilled to be working with Al and David as we expand our existing Premier Streaming Network offerings into the comedy and entertainment space,” said Paul Owen, President at PSN. “Tag Team Comedy is a great way to showcase what PSN and Premier Studios can do and we’re looking forward to fans enjoying the special.”
Premier Streaming Network is available on a full suite of platforms and devices including Web, iOS and Android mobile web and desktop, Chromecast, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and many Smart TV’s.
To keep up with all the latest Premier Streaming Network, follow PSN on social media:
Twitter: @WatchOnPremier Facebook: Premier Streaming Network Instagram: @PremierStreamingNetwork