Ex-TNA Head Scott D’Amore Says He’s Signed Mauro Rannallo For Maple Leaf Pro

Despite being fired from TNA, Scott D’Amore isn’t letting that keep him from continuing his efforts in the pro wrestling industry. Back in May, D’Amore filed a trademark for “Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling,” a promotion established in the 1930s. Since then, D’Amore has taken more steps to debut the promotion, and in an interview with “INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet,” he revealed one of the names he’s already signed.

During the interview, D’Amore confirmed that former “WWE NXT” and “SmackDown” commentator, Mauro Rannallo, has agreed to be the voice of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. “I mean, he’s the man. And Mauro has got a passion for wrestling,” D’Amore proclaimed. He then recalled the first time he met Rannallo, 25 years ago in Stampede Wrestling. “I was coming in as a heel to feud with Sabu. And he was the 20-21-year-old kid who was doing the play-by-play with Bad News Brown, and we connected then over the years,” D’Amore recalled.

D’Amore also reflected on Ranallo’s presence in the field of combat sports announcing: “He loves wrestling. He’s the best. You turned on Showtime for any big boxing fight, or you turned on to watch a lot of the big MMA fights with Pride and everything, Mauro is that voice.”

D’Amore’s exit from TNA was sudden and shocked many fans and even TNA talent. Not too long ago, he D’Amore recalled finding out about his TNA firing days before their Hard to Kill pay-per-view, which was the first event held under the promotion’s former name since it changed to IMPACT Wrestling back in 2017. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/21/2024

  • AEW Dynamite will air tonight on TBS, for the first time from the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales.
  • AEW Continental Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Saraya
  • Final Showdown: AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson – Moderated by Nigel McGuinness
  • Chris Jericho vs. “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington
  • MJF and Will Ospreay face-to-face
  • Big Bill vs. HOOK

WWE NXT Star Fallon Henley Reportedly Injured During Recent Taping

After taking a few weeks off in July, Fallon Henley reemerged with some new friends at NXT Great American Bash, teaming with Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx to defeat Karmen Petrovic, Lola Vice, and Sol Ruca. This week, the group finally gave themselves a name, Fatal Influence, setting their sights on “NXT” newcomers who the trio felt were taking spots from wrestlers, such as themselves, with pedigree.

The re-introduction led to Henley and Jayne setting up a match for next week’s “NXT” against Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend, one that was taped immediately following last night’s episode and one that didn’t go the best for Henley. Fightful Select reports that during the match, Henley suffered an injury when she sustained what has been described as a “possible broken nose.” It’s unclear when in the match Henley suffered the injury, though it was noted she continued on and finished the match.

Whether Henley will have to miss any time remains a mystery, as the severity of her facial injury remains unknown. Should it be serious, it would be Henley’s first instance of being on the shelf since joining WWE in 2021, as she has consistently worked at least one match per month, and has avoided any serious injury. Henley had shown similar durability before joining WWE, with her only hiatus from wrestling occurring during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Aside from the Fatal Influnece’s introduction last night, “NXT” also made clear the future direction for NXT Champion Ethan Page. The former AEW star will be defending the championship against TNA’s highly popular Joe Hendry at the upcoming No Mercy PLE on September 1.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update AEW’s Broadcasting Negotiations With WBD

Alongside All In, AEW’s ongoing negotiations with Warner Brothers Discovery over a new broadcasting deal has become the dominant story surrounding the promotion. And even though the exclusive negotiating window between AEW and WBD expired last month, there’s never been any sign the sides wouldn’t reach a new agreement, with some even reporting a deal was agreed to in principle.

At worst, it appears closer than ever to being signed. Fightful Select reports that those within WBD have acknowledged that a new offer was made to AEW, which came following AEW owner Tony Khan’s meeting with WBD President David Zaslav in Paris, France during the Olympics. The meeting between the two was described as “productive,” and while WBD sources believe there’s still red tape to get through before a deal is official, AEW is reviewing the offer, and both sides are optimistic regarding their relationship continuing for years to come.

Those in WBD called this new offer “extensive,” though it remains unclear to what extent, or how it relates to the previous offer WBD made, reportedly back in the early summer. It was, however, noted that WBD’s previous offer to AEW had been “at least double” the amount of AEW’s previous rights deal. Whether this amount doubles what AEW and WBD agreed to in early 2020, or the re-negotiated deal between the sides in 2023, when AEW launched “AEW Collision” on TNT, is a mystery.

One factor in how much AEW could make is the amount of content featured on WBD going forward. It appears “any and all combinations and possibilities” are on the table, from more hours of AEW TV to new reality series’, crossovers, next day streaming rights, library rights, and Ring of Honor. Inquiries have also been made about a shift in AEW’s PPV strategy.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 8/20/2024

WWE will present a new episode of NXT TV tonight on the USA Network at 8:00 PM EST.

  • NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match: Wes Lee vs. Joe Hendry vs. Pete Dunne
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Wren Sinclair vs. Adrianna Rizzo vs. Sol Ruca vs. Jaida Parker vs. Kendall Grey vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. The O.C.
  • Lola Vice vs. Wendy Choo
  • Dion Lennox vs. Ashante The Adonis
  • Chase U celebration for NXT Tag Team Title win

Backstage Update On Saraya’s AEW Contract & Future

Saraya’s current contract with AEW reportedly runs through at least September.

Fightful Select is reporting that the former Women’s World Champion’s deal with AEW will expire at some point later this year. It is said that there were option years on the deal but the exact nature of those option years is uncertain.

Additionally, it is said that Saraya and AEW have been in talks about extending the deal for one year. It’s unknown if that will be a new contract or the option being exercised.

Finally, it was added that while Saraya does not officially have a match announced for All In 2024, she is factored into the show.

Source: eWn

Backstage News On Matt Riddle Winning AAA Cruiserweight Title At TripleMania

For those who tuned in this past Saturday night on TrillerTV, either by paying full price or accidentally catching the show for free on the pre-show stream that never ended, AAA’s TripleMania XXXII: Mexico City was an event that won’t soon be forgotten. Among the other reasons for that was the three-way match for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship, where non-cruiserweight and former WWE star Matt Riddle defeated former champion, AEW’s Komander, and TNA’s Laredo Kid to win the gold.

As for why Riddle walked way Cruiserweight Champion, one person has a theory on that. On Sunday’s “Daily Update,” Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer discussed Riddle’s victory at TripleMania, and indicated that Riddle was crowned Cruiserweight Champion due to AAA looking to get the belt off Komander, because to his AEW commitments. Meltzer also noted the oddness of Riddle, a heavyweight, winning a title out of his division.

The reasoning given for Riddle winning the title does seem to contradict some of what happened on screen, however, including the fact that Laredo Kid was in the match with Komander and Riddle, and could’ve won the title instead of Riddle. Perhaps most glaring though is that TripleMania XXXII: Mexico City ended with an AEW talent walking away with AAA gold, as Satnam Singh won the AAA World Tag Team Championships with partner Raj Dhesi.

Singh’s win would suggest that, despite past issues, AAA has no problem putting titles on AEW talent for the time being, and instead calls into question Komander’s future with AAA going forward. As for Riddle, he is expected to enter a program with El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who defeated Riddle in AAA this past June. Riddle challenged Hijo del Wagner after his win Saturday, requesting the match have “no rules.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Raw Preview 8/19/2024

WWE Raw airs live tonight on USA Network from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

CM Punk will have a “can’t miss message” for Drew McIntyre

  • WWE Women’s Triple Threat Tag Team Championship Match: Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn (c) vs. Damage CTRL (Kairi Sane and IYO SKY) vs. Pure Fusion Collective (Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark)
  • New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston) and Odyssey Jones vs. Karrion Kross and AOP (Rezar and Akam)
  • Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne
  • Randy Orton to appear
  • Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivy Nile

Scott D’Amore Comments On Launching Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling

Former TNA Wrestling executive Scott D’Amore announced the launch of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling earlier this month, with the first shows set to take place on October 19th and 20th. D’Amore spoke with CBC on a number of topics, including growing up watching Maple Leaf Wrestling.

D’Amore said, “It was what came through on Saturdays on CHCH out of Hamilton. Every week they took a match from one of the Maple Leaf Gardens house shows, live events, and they showed it on TV, and the only place you got to see that was on Maple Leaf Wrestling.”

On launching Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling:

“Canadian talent has to work twice as hard, three times as hard as U.S. talent … I think we can give that platform for Canadian talent to go out there and compete with the best in the world and show how good they are.”

Source: PWMania

Update On The Status Of AEW Star Jay White

According to Fightful Select, AEW star Jay White is now healthy again and the company has plans to bring him back to television programming soon.

White suffered a minor foot injury during his match with Hangman Adam Page in the semifinals of the Owen Hart Tournament, back on the July 6 episode of Collision.

Due to White’s injury, the Bang Bang Gang was forced to vacate the AEW World Trios Championships, which are now held by Christian Cage’s Patriarchy faction.

Source: WrestleView