Category: Wrestling News

Shinsuke Nakamura On Great Muta Match: “It’s A Real Forbidden Door”

Pro Wrestling NOAH announce this past weekend that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was crossing over to the company as part of Keiji Mutoh’s retirement tour, with the former Intercontinental Champion announced as Mutoh’s opponent for its 1 January show, The New Year 2023. It’ll be one of the last times the 59-year-old works as The Great Muta before he draws the curtain on his wrestling career later that month – and something those involved had to work hard to make happen.

Tokyo Sports reports (via translation) that NOAH had earmarked Nakamura as somebody it wanted to book for Mutoh’s retirement run as soon as the legend made the decision to retire. Initially, they were met with disagreement from WWE, though “tenacious” negotiations continued once Vince McMahon stepped down as Chairman and CEO in July.

The two sides then reached an agreement on 26 October. Now, the bout is official.

Nakamura revealed he was spurred on by people within WWE, calling the situation “a real ‘Forbidden Door'”, nodding to AEW’s working relationship with NJPW:-

“There were people in WWE who pushed me forward. I opened a door that no one could break in. Hahaha…it’s a real ‘Forbidden Door’.”

Continuing, Nakamura called the bout a meeting of “fate”, adding that he worked hard to make it happen:-

“I think it’s really fate, and I worked hard to make it happen. I’ve fought Keiji Muto twice in the past, but this was my first encounter with Great Muta, the first and last. I definitely think that I am in the midst of the miracle of the times.”

Nakamura has not wrestled in Japan on a show promoted by a native company since January 2016, when he left NJPW for WWE. His last tie with Mutoh came in October 2008.

Source: WhatCulture

AEW Stars Refusing To Work With CM Punk If He’s Brought Back

Following his actions at the AEW All Out event, when he ripped Colt Cabana, The Elite, and Hangman Page at the media scrum before getting into an altercation with The Elite, it seems unlikely that CM Punk will ever step foot inside an AEW ring again.

The only issue holding up Punk’s departure is AEW’s agreement to buy out the remainder of his contract is the length of the non-compete clause. Punk’s friend and trainer, Ace Steel, has already been fired by AEW for his involvement in the fight.

Chris Jericho allegedly told Punk that he was a cancer to the locker room following the All Out altercation.

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that “many, if not most of the key top names were saying that they wouldn’t work with him.”

A top star said that “Punk won’t be back. His value on screen isn’t one percent worth the hassle and black cloud he causes backstage.” Another star noted “regardless of some being willing to work with him, the collective decided that he was voted off the island.”

Source: EWrestlingNews

Humberto Garza, Grandfather To Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza, Dies At Age 85

Wrestling veteran Humberto Garza, the grandfather to current WWE Superstars Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza, has died at the age of 85.

On Twitter, Alberto Del Rio sent out a message regarding Garza’s death and offered his condolences to the two Superstars. He wrote,

“Today Mexican wrestling is mourning the loss of Mr. Humberto Garza. To his grandchildren, @AngelGarzaWwe and @humberto_wwe , my condolences and a big hug, as well as to all his family and fans at this difficult time. Rest in peace Don Humberto.”

Like his grandchildren, Humberto Garza was a wrestler and competed for EMLL from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Source: EWrestlingNews

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/14/2022

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA.

Several IMPACT Wrestling Stars Exits The Company

It appears that Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Vincent and Maria Kanellis-Bennett are finished with IMPACT Wrestling are done with the company.

In a segment taped Saturday night, that will air on the Thursday, October 20 episode on AXS TV, Eddie Edwards questioned the loyalty and current efforts of Honor No More. After weeks of being disrespected by the group, PCO snapped and took out Taven, Bennett, Vincent and Edwards.

Following the segment, which will not air on television, Taven, Bennett, Vincent and Maria went back in the ring, acknowledged the crowd, giving the impression that they are done with the company.

According to a report by PWInsider on Sunday the four are believed to be done with IMPACT Wrestling. However, the departures have not been fully confirmed by our sources as of this writing.

After making her return to IMPACT Wrestling this past May, Mia Yim’s contract has expired, with no extension, thus making her a free-agent. After being released from her WWE deal last November 2021, Yim made her surprise return at the Under Siege PPV, where she came out helping out Taya Valkyrie after Deonna Purrazzo attacked her after their match.

Yim lost to Mickie James at last Friday’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view and officially finished up with the company at this past Saturday’s TV tapings.

Yim, is the the real-life wife of AEW star Keith Lee.

Source: WrestleView

TV Ratings For Women Of Wrestling’s First Two Episodes Revealed

The TV ratings for the first two episodes of Women of Wrestling have been revealed by Wrestlenomincs.

According to the report from Wrestlenomics, the first episode, which aired on September 18, was watched by 281,000 viewers in syndication. The episode drew a 0.03 in the 18-49 demographic.

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group is the company that distributes the series in the United States and internationally. WOW is available to watch in 50 cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Flint, and Philadelphia. A full list of channels was exclusively shared via PWInsider.

The second episode of WOW, which aired on September 25, saw the key demo rise to 0.06, though the episode was only watched by 273,000 viewers.

It was also noted in the report that WOW demonstrated a larger portion of female viewers than any nationally televised wrestling show. In the first episode, there were 18,000 male viewers in the 18-49 demographic, while it was 26,000 female viewers in the 18-49 demo.

The second episode was 40,000 male viewers in the 18-49 key demo, while it was only 39,000 female viewers in the 18-49 demo. Wrestlenomics noted that WWE “Raw” and “SmackDown” average about 40% female viewers in the 18 to 49 key demo, while AEW shows are usually around 33%.

The promotion is owned by Los Angeles Laker owner Jeanie Buss. WOW was created by David McLane, who is also the current Executive Producer of production. Former WWE Superstar AJ Mendez (FKA AJ Lee) is also the executive producer and color commentator for WOW.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tales From The Territories Episode Could Have Been A Dark Side Of The Ring One

The creators of Vice TV’s popular “Dark Side of the Ring” series have another show on the way with “Tales from the Territories.” While speaking to Chris Jericho on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener spoke about the process of selecting topics for the series, including what separates a “Tales from the Territories” entry from “Dark Side of the Ring.” One episode that could have found a place on either show was the installment detailing the famous feud between legendary Memphis wrestler Jerry Lawler and comedian Andy Kaufman.

“[Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler] could have been a ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ episode,” Husney said. He explained that the process for putting the show together consists of researching books, interviews, and podcasts of wrestlers from the era to find the best potential topics for episodes. “Obviously, when we’re getting into Memphis, it’s hard to ignore … the Kaufman-Lawler thing. … The Kaufman versus Lawler angle we actually built out into an entire episode.”

Hunsey would go on to explain that the people involved in the Lawler-Kaufman story made it an easy decision to base an episode around. “When we got there, we were filming with the guys, the chemistry was so good. It was like. ‘All right, let’s tell the Kaufman story,’ and they just went, and they went for hours,” Husney said. “It was cool because I had never really heard Lawler’s … top-to-bottom perspective on the whole angle.”

“Tales from the Territories” is produced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and debuts tonight on Vice TV. Tonight’s episode is on Memphis wrestling. The episode on the Lawler-Kaufman feud premieres on Tuesday, October 11. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

“Tales From The Territories” Debuts Tonight On Vice TV

“Tales from the Territories” is produced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and debuts tonight on Vice TV at 10 PM EST. Tonight’s episode is on Memphis wrestling.

The premiere episode is titled Memphis: Where Wrestling Was Real. 

The episode will feature a round table discussion with Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Jarrett, Jimmy Hart and more.

Promotional material for tonight’s premiere notes, “In Memphis, the Mid-South Coliseum’s unique blend of slow-burn, story-driven matches and pre-MTV music video vignettes captivated audiences every week.”

Vice TV will air a Dark Side of the Ring marathon in advance of the premiere.  The marathon schedule:

7 AM – Chris Kanyon.

8 AM – The Fabulous Moolah.

9 AM – The Plane Ride from Hell.

10 AM – Herb Abrams.

11 AM – Collission in Korea.

12 PM – Randy Savage & Elizabeth.

1 PM – XPW

2 PM – Dr. D David Schultz.

3 PM – Owen Hart.

4 PM – Bruiser Brody.

5 PM – Von Erichs.

6 PM – Chris Benoit

8 PM – Ultimate Warrior.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat Returning To The Ring

WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will team NJPW, AAA and ROH tag team champions FTR at Big Time’s Wrestling’s “Return of the Dragon” event, which will take place at the Dorton Arena, in Raleigh, Carolina on Sunday, November 27.

Steamboat and FTR will square off against Jay Lethal (as Black Machismo), Brock Anderson and a mystery partner with Arn Anderson as the team’s manager. The 69-year-old last wrestled alongside his son, Richie at a June 2010 FCW show against Trent Beretta & Caylen Croft.

https://twitter.com/BTWwrestling/status/1576544060264751104

Steamboat has made recent appearances for MLW and the NWA. He also served as the special guest timekeeper for the House of Dragon themed August 17 episode of AEW Dynamite.

The Briscoes vs. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express has also been announced for the event.

Source: WrestleView

Dark Side of the Ring Co-Creator Confirms Show Will Continue

The arrival of VICE TV’s Tales From The Territories hasn’t killed Dark Side of the Ring, as Evan Husney says the latter show will continue. Husney, who is the co-creator of Dark Side of the Ring, recently appeared on Talk is Jericho to promite Tales From the Territories and confirmed that talks are underway for a fourth season of Dark Side

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Husney said (per Wrestling Inc). “It’s really interesting because when we decided to do Tales From The Territories, like I said, it was in the making since 2019. We finally got the opportunity to do it, and obviously when Vice picked it up it was like, okay, this is gonna occupy that space after season three to really focus on this, to produce it, to get it off the ground, kind of establish what it is, so it can kind of live on its own eventually. We had no intention of stopping doing Dark Side.”

He added of the fourth season, “It’s in talks right now. Everyone’s gonna hear something real soon. We’re just kind of getting that machine going real soon. So, stay tuned, but yeah, definitely not going anywhere for sure. It’s definitely here to stay.”

The third season premiered in May of 2021 and ran through October. Husney co-created the show with Jason Eisener.

Source: 411Mania