Jeff Jarrett did a media conference call earlier this week to address a number of topics involving Global Force Wrestling. WrestlingINC.com owner Raj Giri was on the call and asked Jarrett if GFW had discussed moving pay-per-views out of the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida.
“It has to make financial sense,” Jarrett said. “It goes without saying that, you know, taking Impact on the road several years ago was a financial disaster and so you have to methodically look at every decision and make sure that it makes financial sense.”
The then-branded TNA Wrestling saw growth from 2008 to 2009 before taking Impact on the road in 2010. They have tried to regain traction ever since.
“But you know, we’re going to start with our live events and again, I’ll say put our toe back in the water. We realize that we’re not going to put an event on sale and it’s going to go clean and sellout. Quite frankly, the WWE doesn’t do that for live events. But they’re out there, they’re touring. An organization, publicly traded, been around 50-plus years, so they’re brand awareness in every market they go they don’t have that situation.”
Jarrett explained that GFW has to build brand awareness, so it’s important to get back out in key markets.
“We’re obviously in a re-branding situation in every sense of the word,” said Jarrett. “And so we’re getting back out in the markets and we’ve got to make the right decisions. That’s why we’re excited to partner with NOAH, partner with AAA, get into these markets.”
Jarrett then revealed that they do plan on taking pay-per-views out of the Impact Zone and to add one more pay-per-view next year.
“Raj, to go back to answer your question, absolutely we’re looking at taking [pay-per-views on the road],” Jarrett said. “Not just Bound For Glory, but we’re looking at adding another live pay-per-view to our schedule in 2018.”
After weeks of announcements, the full field of 32 competitors for the WWE Mae Young Classic is set.
Below is the 32 competitors:
Shayna Baszler
Whether you know her as “The Queen of Spades” or one of the Four Horsewomen of MMA, Baszler is the latest in a long line of MMA stars to make the jump into the squared circle. She is the current AIW Women’s Champion and helped Nikki Bella develop the Fearless Lock.
Marti Belle
Sure to be a familiar sight to Impact Wrestling fans, Belle is a former Knockout who was a member of The Dollhouse from 2015 to 2016. She has also worked across the independent scene with Evolveand Shine, as well as Shimmer where she is a former tag team champion.
Santana Garrett
Another former Knockout, Garrett is a staple in independent women’s wrestling. Having won titles across America, she is most known for having been a champion in Stardom and Shimmer. She previously worked for NXT as an enhancement talent as well.
Mia Yim
Once known as Jade, Yim was the Queen of the Knockouts for a while. No, really. A former CZW competitor, Knockout Champion and Shine Champion … Yim is nothing short of hardcore. Along with wrestling, Yim is a domestic abuse survivor and works as an advocate for victim services organization Safe Horizon.
Kairi Sane
Kairi Sane — fka Kairi Hojo — is probably WWE’s biggest women’s signing since NXT Women’s Champion Asuka signed back in 2015. Known as “the Pirate Princess,” Sane won almost every possible championship in Stardom and became known worldwide for her elbow drop.
Tessa Blanchard
Tessa — the daughter of 4 Horseman Tully Blanchard — has become a well-known wrestler on the US indie scene and also appeared on NXT in 2016. She’s had success wrestling in Japan as part of Stardom and is one half of the current Shimmer Tag Team Champions.
Toni Storm
Storm was one of the first competitors who was announced. At only 21-years-old, the Australian wrestler has taken the world by … well, you know. She is the current Stardom SWA World Champion as well as the first and current reigning Progress Women’s Champion.
Piper Niven
Niven — aka Viper — is known as “The Vixen of Violence.” Based out of Ayr, Scotland, Niven has competed all over the UK scene … as well as in Stardom. She was the first ICW Women’s Championand appeared in the World of Sport revival that aired in the UK last year.
Abbey Laith
The wrestler formerly known as Kimber Lee was the princess of Chikara when she became the ONLY woman to hold their Grand Championship in 2016. Laith is also one half of the only tag team to hold the tag titles for Shimmer and Shine at the same time.
Sarah Logan
Known on the indies as Crazy Mary Dobson, Logan made various appearances in NXT and on the main roster before officially signing in late 2016.
Bianca BelAir
A former track and field star, as well as a powerlifter, BelAir is a Performance Center trained talent who has become well-known by local Florida NXT crowds. BelAir doesn’t just stand out for her strength and athleticism, but also for the fact she uses her distinctive braid as a weapon.
Dakota Kai
Like a lot of this field, Kai — fka Evie — made early appearances in NXT as enhancement talent before signing a deal and becoming the first Kiwi in WWE. A former tag champion in Shimmer with Ruby Riot, as well as various other titles.
Jazzy Gabert
Once known as Alpha Female, Gabert has certainly earned that title. A champion across Europe and multiple times in Stardom, the German wrestler and MMA star also briefly competed on Impact Wrestling in 2014.
Princesa Sugehit
With 20 years of experience, Sugehit is the oldest participant in the Mae Young Classic. Don’t get distracted by that though, because Sugehit is one of the most well-known luchadoras in Mexico. Along with being the current Mexican National Women’s Champion in CMLL, Sugehit also has a collection of masks claimed from other opponents.
Sage Beckett
Recruited in the same class as Riot and Laith, Beckett will be familiar to Impact Wrestling fans who saw her as Rosie Lottalove. The Team 3-D Academy Graduate had worked briefly as Lana’sbodyguard at NXT house shows, but this will be her first time competing full time in WWE.
Lacey Evans
If you watch NXT regularly, you may recognize Evans as one of the new faces in the women’s division. A former military police officer in the United States Marine Corps, Evans traded her combat boots for cuban heels when she became The Lady of NXT after signing in 2016.
Rhea Ripley
The youngest competitor in the MYC, 20-year-old Ripley — fka Demi Bennett — is something of a phenom in the Australian wrestling scene. A former soccer player who has competed across the world, Ripley is also a two time Riot City Wrestling Women’s Champion.
Kay Lee Ray
Having competed in Shimmer, Shine, Impact Wrestling, and even NXT in the past … Ray currently holds the women’s titles in ICW and WhatCulture Pro Wrestling.
Vanessa Borne
A former cheerleader and sports reporter, the newcomer Bourne — fka Danielle Kamela — did technically win one of her first matches in NXT … but only because Nikki Cross beat her so badly the referee had to reverse the decision.
Ayesha Raymond
Known in the UK as “The Amazon Ayesha Ray,” Raymond is a powerhouse who has been wrestling since she was 15-years-old. Trained by British legends Robbie Brookside and Johnny Saint, Raymond has competed across the world — including for Stardom and IPW.
Taynara Conti
Conti is another recent talent signed and trained by the Performance Center. A black belt in judo, the Brazilian star made her live debut during Wrestlemania Axxess as Taynara Melo. The Mae Young Classic will be her first appearance on WWE TV, so it will be interesting to see how she fares.
Kavita Devi
A world class weightlifter and a trainee of The Great Khali, Devi has already made history before even stepping foot in the ring for her first match by becoming the first Indian woman to compete in WWE.
Candice Lerae
Lerae is one of the most popular independent wrestlers in North America, she was a regular in PWG and competed against the likes of The Young Bucks, Adam Cole and Kevin Owens. Along with being one half of the World’s Cutest Tag Team with Joey Ryan, Lerae is also married toJohnny Gargano.
Serena Deeb
Deeb’s return to WWE has been a long time coming. A four time OVW Women’s Champion, Deeb was briefly a member of The Straight Edge Society before her release in 2010. She actually retired from wrestling in 2015, so this return in the Mae Young Classic is significant in more ways than one.
Xia Li
One of WWE’s recent Chinese recruits, Li — fka Zhao Xia — is a skilled martial artist and fitness competitor who has competed in the Nike Challenge Competition and the Second World Traditional Chinese Wushu Championship. The Mae Young Classic is her official in-ring debut.
Rachael Evers
Daughter of Paul Ellering, Evers — aka Rachael Ellering — is an up-and-comer on the US independent circuit. She has previously competed in NXT before, working enhancement in several matches across 2016 and 2017. She is the current Lady of the Ring Champion for WrestleCircus.
Nicole Savoy
Calling herself the “Queen of Suplexes,” Savoy is another bright talent on the US independent scene. She was the first Heart of Shimmer Champion, where she held the title for 462 days.
Reina Gonzalez
The daughter of independent wrestler Desperado, Gonzalez is a former basketball player and recent WWE recruit. She previously auditioned for Tough Enough and appeared on NXT earlier this year.
Zeda
Formerly known as Julia Ho, Zeda was recruited earlier this year along with Riot, Beckett, and Laith. A former model, singer, and MMA star.
Miranda Salinas
Renee Michelle
A DC native who has made her way around the independent circuit, Michelle’s entry into professional wrestling came from an unlikely source: Gillberg. Gillberg encouraged her to give wrestling a try, which carried her to be trained by Chigusa Nagayo in Japan.
Mercedes Martinez
A heavyweight on the US independent wrestling scene, Martinez is a big get for the MYC. A two time Shimmer Champion and one half of the tag team Las Sicarias with Lucha Underground’s Ivelisse, Martinez has won championships all across the US.
WWE star Sami Zayn announced on Wednesday that he’s teaming up with the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation to help victims of the war in Syria.
Zayn, a child of Syrian immigrants, says he’s launching a new fundraising campaign called #SamiForSyria with the goal of raising money for a mobile medical unit to help those who are injured.
Sami explained, “Unfortunately, with the devastation of the war in Syria, not only have people’s homes been destroyed, but hospitals have been destroyed. Children’s hospitals have been destroyed, making health care access not only limited but also dangerous. Therefore, a mobile clinic will be able to provide, safely, primary healthcare to those that are in need.”
He continued, “And who are these people in need? We’re talking about the disabled, we’re talking about the elderly, we’re talking about women and children. People living in rural areas that have no access to fuel or transportation. People whose homes have been destroyed and are now living in camps and in tents. These are the people that we will directly be able to help.”
In order to get the medical unit created and operational for six months, the fundraiser will need to generate at least $48,000. To donate, visit this link or text “SamiForSyria” to 71-777.
One of the biggest free agents in wrestling just made his debut at last night’s NXT TV taping … but those who don’t want to know, be warned, spoilers lie ahead.
According to those in attendance, Kyle O’Reilly wrestled Aleister Black on Wednesday in a losing effort and the match was described as a “good back and forth long match.”
Sources with direct knowledge tell us a WWE deal is imminent, but hasn’t been finalized quite yet.
WWE star Paige claims SHE was the person held for suspicion of battery at the airport on Sunday during her altercation with Alberto El Patron … but police say she’s not a suspect.
Paige posted a lengthy statement on Twitter Wednesday and wrote, “It was ME who was being held for battery charges because I threw a drink on him. No. He never touched me and no I never hit him with a glass 3 times like the internet in all their glory is making out.”
However, a rep for the Orlando PD tells us Jose Rodriguez (aka Patron) is the only suspect listed.
The wrestler also noted that no files have been charged and her fiancé wasn’t arrested, which is accurate. Police tell us the matter is still under investigation.
Just clearing up the airport situation. Just so there's no more elaborate versions of the story. Thanks for respecting our privacy. pic.twitter.com/iU6nZbZMar
The “Broken Universe” dispute between Jeff Jarrett and The Hardys isn’t over yet … despite the two sides reaching an agreement last week.
Yesterday in a teleconference call, Jarrett claimed that no deal had been reached with the Hardy family and that GFW still owns The Broken Universe trademark.
Reby Hardy took to Twitter to respond shortly after and said, “I’m going to have to start “clarifying” things by recording phone calls, apparently. Everything out of this loser’s mouth is BS. Why tho ?”
The wife of Matt Hardy continued, “We had agreement terms as of LAST WEEK. Included non-disparagement clause to the tune of 5k every time I tweet something about TNA… …but according to @RealJeffJarrett, there is nothing ? OKAY !”
For now, it appears that the Broken references on Raw this week will remain just that.
Queen Rebecca’s full series of tweets can be read below:
I'm going to have to start "clarifying" things by recording phone calls, apparently. Everything out of this loser's mouth is BS.
A Fenix to a Flame: The second round of the Cueto Cup begins. Fenix takes on Marty “The Moth” Martinez in the main event, while Brenda pays a visit to Texano.
