MLW today announced Matt Riddle has joined MLW and will debut in adream match against Jacob Fatu at MLW Kings of Colosseum live and exclusively on TrillerTV+ Saturday, January 6 at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.
MLW now has a double main event for Kings of Colosseum!
Matt Riddle, the chill grappler known for fighting barefoot and winning big has returned to Major League Wrestling… and he has set his sights on “the most dangerous man on planet earth”: Jacob Fatu.
In 2018, Riddle danced with destiny, dominating the MLW World Heavyweight Title tournament, exiting in the finals in a championship bout that could’ve gone either way.
Having won titles around the world, Riddle now returns to MLW to finally win the big one: the MLW World Heavyweight Championship. In order to do so, he has to go through the baddest beast in the land in the “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu.
Colliding for the first time ever, this dream match promises to be an instant classic.
Fatu has dominated Major League Wrestling, winning the MLW World Heavyweight Championship as well as the MLW National Openweight Title.
Fatu has not been shy as of recent about his 2024 intentions: becoming the first-ever MLW World Heavyweight Champion.
Now Riddle and Fatu fight for their futures in MLW. Who will triumph?
Lock in your tickets now at http://MLW2300.com and see it go down Saturday, January 6 in Philadelphia.
The future of wrestling at Warner Brothers Discovery was already uncertain, with the media company said to be negotiating with both AEW and WWE regarding the promotion’s respective TV rights. But all of that may now be thrown for a loop, thanks to a potential merger that could shake up the entire entertainment industry.
Axios reports that WBD is currently in talks to merge with Paramount Global, with WBD CEO David Zaslav having met with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish earlier this week to negotiate the merger. The meeting, taking place over several hours, appeared to be fruitful, as Zaslav an Bakish discussed many facets of a potential merger, including merging their respective streaming services. It was further noted that discussions are far enough along that WBD had “hired bankers to explore the deal.”
Should a merger between WBD and Paramount be complete, it would create one of the largest media conglomerates in America, up there with Disney. How this would affect AEW’s standing with WBD or potential negotiations between WBD and AEW or WWE remains unclear.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan announced on Instagram Wednesday, that he had been baptized in a special ceremony at the Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida.
“Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life,” the 70-year-old posted to Instagram, along with footage of the baptism. “No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!”
Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily Hogan,also took part in the baptism, which involved fully submerging themselves in a large body of water.
Video footage shows Hogan and his wife both in white smiling as they are dipped into the water. Hogan also wore his trademark bandanna in white, along with a silver cross necklace for the occasion.
He was baptized in a special ceremony at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida. The professional wrestler has spoken publicly about his Christian beliefs in the past. He says, he was saved when he was 14/yrs old and rededicated his life this past April. The woman with him is his wife, Sky Daily Hogan.
“I accepted Christ as my savior at 14yrs old and the training, prayers and vitamins kept me in the game but now that I am one with God, the main event theme of surrender, service and love makes me the Real Main Event that can slam any giant of any size through the power of my Lord and Savior and so it is, even now brother, AMEN!” Hogan shared on his X account, formerly known as Twitter, in April.
TNA President Scott D’Amore recently made a few official statements regarding some big signings potentially coming to the promotion soon.
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that TNA Wrestling has “earmarked some money” to sign a big free agent next year.
D’Amore previously stated, “We’re going to have a lot of fun. We’re going to have surprises for you. We are right there at the goal line of finalizing one of, I think, one of the biggest signings in TNA.”
Some of the recently released WWE Superstars who will become free agents on December 21 are Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, and Matt Riddle.
The Von Erich family undeniably left a unique and indelible impact on professional wrestling history through their triumphs and tragedies in the ring. This December, their captivating story finally makes its way to the big screen with the release of “The Iron Claw” on December 22nd.
Directed by Sean Durkin, the film boasts Zac Efron in the lead role of Kevin Von Erich alongside supporting cast members Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Lily James. Early footage showcases Efron’s charismatic take on portraying the top star of the famous Von Erich wrestling clan during the industry’s lucrative 1980s boom period.
Production company A24 has built industry buzz by aligning the biopic with its brand of critically-acclaimed indie filmmaking. Oscar speculation has already begun around Efron’s performance as Kevin navigating the pressures of the family business under the stern tutelage of patriarch Fritz Von Erich.
For devoted professional wrestling fans, “The Iron Claw” promises an in-depth exploration of the Von Erich family legacy, spotlighting their highest heights and lowest tragedies. Their unpredictable narrative fueled some of wrestling’s most dramatic real-life moments both inside and outside the squared circle.
“The Iron Claw” will revive discussion around the Von Erich’s impact when it releases in theaters nationwide next week on December 22nd.
Recently, Marshall Von Erich was onBusted Open Radiowhere he opened up about the film and how he and his family felt while watching the movie.
“It was nerve-wracking going into the premiere as a family. We all went over there — my sisters had a harder time, and my mom — there were just so many question marks. And my dad was like, ‘If anything, they’ll Google the real story, and I’ll talk to them.’ But we ended up watching it, and it’s based on a true story, so there’s a few chronological inconsistencies. But there was one part in the movie that my dad told us in confidence. I don’t think he ever told anybody in an interview or anything — of a dream he had after my uncle Kerry passed that was so heavy that we almost had to leave the movie theater. My dad was like — he couldn’t believe that it was in there,” Marshall Von Erich said.
Zac Efron reflected on speaking with the real-life Kevin the night before its Dallas premiere. “I was very curious about what he thought of the movie,” he shared. “We went out to the patio, sat forehead to forehead, and talked about life for an hour and a half. And he told me that he did enjoy the movie. I can’t really put into words how that feels. It’s far and away the most important review to me on so many levels. It meant the world, and everything just came full circle.”
“I have seen the movie now, and I hope people take from that that we really love each other. I love my father. Things were just hard, but life is hard you gotta get tough,” said Kevin Von Erich on the red carpet.
Von Erich also commended Zac Efron for how he was portrayed in the movie.
“I thought he did a great job,” Von Erich said. “He should get the Academy Award. He’s got my vote.”
AEW’s MJF has a very small roll in the film as Lance Von Erich. Movie critic and wrestling fan Siddhant Adlahka attended the recent premiere of The Iron Claw and revealed on Twitter that MJF is barely featured in the film.
AEW star CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana in WWE, has shared an update on her finger injury that required a hospital visit.
AEW Star CJ Perry (Fka WWE’s Lana) Undergoes Surgery To Treat Spreading Infection AEW BY NISHANT JAYARAM/DEC. 19, 2023 1:42 AM EST AEW star CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana in WWE, has shared an update on her finger injury that required a hospital visit.
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In a new update on social media, Perry revealed that the infection on her finger has worsened, and will now require surgery. She requested everyone to keep her in their thoughts.
“I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all,” said Perry.
She had disclosed a few days ago that her middle finger had swollen following an infection, which also spread to her arm. Perry stated in her recent update that she has been in the emergency room for over 50 hours.
The former WWE star was advertised to be in the corner of her new client, Andrade el Idolo for his first appearance in CMLL since 2015, but the injury kept her away from traveling to Mexico. She also missed the following night’s “AEW Collision” show where Andrade faced another former WWE star, Claudio Castagnoli, in the Continental Classic tournament. The Mexican star lost the match, which was his first defeat in the tournament, but still sits joint-top of the Blue league alongside Bryan Danielson.
Perry, who joined AEW in September, became Andrade’s manager in November and has accompanied the former “NXT” Champion to the ring ever since, despite her real-life husband, Miro, also being a part of the promotion. Miro and Andrade haven’t clashed since joining AEW, but a potential feud looms as the former declared on AEW television that he would target Andrade after the conclusion of the Continental Classic tournament.
A new wrestling reality show is coming to Warner Bros Discovery.
Warner Bros Discovery announced “Big Little Brawlers” will premiere on Discovery on January 9. The series follows athletes in the Micro Wrestling Federation.
From WBD:
Little People Athletes Risk Love and Limb in “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS,” Premiering Tuesday, January 9 at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
(Burbank, CA) December 14, 2023 – Full of heart, drama and high-flying micro wrestling, the six-part series “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS” premieres Tuesday, January 9 at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. As they attempt to achieve their piece of the American Dream, a group of remarkable little people athletes with larger-than-life personalities are forced to overcome ego, injury, and the limitations imposed by society.
Set in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, “BIG LITTLE BRAWLERS” follows athletes in the Micro Wrestling Federation, one of the most successful little person wrestling leagues in the world. “Pinky Shortcake” and “Syko,” parents and wrestling partners, must navigate their relationship both in and out of the ring. The voice of micro wresting, “Ivar the Micro,” dreams of going from hype man to wrestler despite significant physical risk. Popular veteran “Lil’ Show” wrestles to support his wife and children but fears his best moments in the ring are behind him. And, the up-and-coming wrestler “Hot Rod” must prove his talent lives up to his ego. Despite internal dramas and frustrations, Micro Wresting Federation CEO Jack Darrell Hillegass encourages the group to work together as a family as they approach “MicroFest,” the biggest micro wresting event of the year.
“Alongside spectacular feats of athleticism, this Discovery series broadens the way we reveal compelling stories of remarkable people overcoming huge odds,” said Howard Lee, President of Discovery Networks and TLC.
Audiences can follow the conversation on social media with #BigLittleBrawlers and follow Discovery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
“Big Little Brawlers” is produced for Warner Bros. Discovery by Jupiter Entertainment.
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