KUSHIDA Signs With TNA Wrestling

TNA Wrestling announced today that they’ve signed KUSHIDA to a contract. TNA issued the following:

KUSHIDA Signs With TNA Wrestling

It’s official, KUSHIDA has signed a contract with TNA Wrestling. As a longtime New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout, KUSHIDA has held the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on multiple occasions. KUSHIDA has been on the precipice of success since his arrival last year, taking Steve Maclin to his limit in an IMPACT World Championship match at Rebellion 2023. It’s time for KUSHIDA to take his career to the next level and it happens in TNA Wrestling!

Tony Khan On ROH’s TV Rights – ‘We’ve Had A Lot Of Interested Parties’

On Tuesday, Tony Khan took part in a media call to promote Friday night’s Final Battle 2023 pay-per-view event.

During the call, the AEW/ROH President commented on AEW and ROH’s TV rights and whether Ring of Honor could eventually come to Warner Bros. Discovery.

You can check out some highlights from the media call below:

On the possibility of ROH coming to Warner Bros. Discovery: “We’ve had really good talks with Warner Brothers Discovery, had a great visit with them today and we have a really exciting relationship that has grown a lot over the years and has expanded for AEW. Ring of Honor is still a third party in the relationship and is a company putting on really exciting wrestling and is peripheral to the conversation right now. It offers a lot of value to AEW and to a media company. There is a lot of interest in ROH and some of the most exciting wrestling and stories and some of the best events in ROH history are happening now. It’s really awesome that ROH has healthy options and very complimentary for myself, my family, and our business interests, the ROH media rights and the massive library and IP are there and accessible to us as we pursue new media rights for AEW in 2024 and we also have the additional value of the ROH library with the AEW library that has conitnued to grow. Almost 200 episdes of Dynamite, well over 100 episodes of Rampage, and an exciting half-year of Collision.”

On the value of ROH’s library and TV rights: “It is a value for us that we have this big library and additional media rights in addition to the five hours of weekly television and the great shows with Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision. Having that with our pay-per-view shows, our library, and complimenting that with ROH with new events, which have been some of the best events ROH has ever had in the time we’ve own the company, and the ability to go back and look at some of the greatest wrestlers in the world, a lot of them are in AEW now, and some of them wrestle in other companies all over the world. It’s great to look back at that library of events. I definitely think it’s a value add for AEW and ROH to be aligned with media rights that are coming up for AEW in 2024. It’s going to be a very exciting time for AEW and it’s great to have ROH there as far as strategic value.”

On holding onto the ROH TV rights thus far: “As far as the TV rights, we’ve had a lot of interested parties. It’s definitely something I’ve been holding onto and haven’t had a lot of detailed conversations. I think CW is a great network and we did have a visit. Dennis visited us as the Forum last year and was great. I have a lot of respect for Dennis Miller and the CW folks. The timing for us wasn’t necessarily right, but there is a lot of great, interested, people in the market place in both AEW and ROH. For 2024, it will be really exciting time for pro wrestling and ROH added good value going forward.”

Source: eWn

Director Confirms Chris Jericho Will Return In Terrifier 3 Horror Film

AEW’s Chris Jericho will make his return to the Terrifier horror movie franchise with the latest installment, it has been confirmed.

Speaking with Deadline, director Damien Leone confirmed that Jericho will be appearing in the third film in the series. He said,

“There are a few new major characters introduced in three, one in particular that it’s too soon for me to announce…What I think I can say at this stage is that Chris Jericho [who has a cameo role as a psychiatric hospital attendant in a credits scene] is going to be returning. He’s super excited.

“This one is going to pick up where Part 2 left off, in the insane asylum, so, you’re going to see what transpires there, what mayhem unfolds, because seeing how Art and Victoria ended up, is so insane, and seeing how they get out of that situation and what happens next is going to be really wild. So, we have to get Chris back in there and see how he becomes a part of that situation.”

Jericho has been competing for AEW since 2019. Currently, he and Kenny Omega have an opportunity at the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Terrifier is a slasher series that has seen releases in 2016 and 2022. The series follows the enigmatic killer ‘Art the Clown’ butcher victims in creative ways.

Source: eWn

WWE NXT Preview 12/12/2023

Here is the lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Performance Center on the USA Network: 

  • Fallout from Deadline
  • Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak
  • Meta-Four (Lash Legend, Noam Dar, & Oro Mensah) vs. Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen, Fallon Henley
  • NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament begins
  • Nikkita Lyons appearance
  • Cora Jade likely to appear

FITE Officially Rebrands As TrillerTV

American digital video streaming service FITE TV, which hosts several wrestling shows, has announced its rebranding to TrillerTV.

Triller is the social media platform that bought FITE a couple of years ago.

Triller has issued a press release with more details on the change and statements from its executives.

Official announcement below:

“Sports Streaming Leader FITE Renamed TrillerTV

The best value in live streaming and the most reliable PPV and subscription platform, FITE is growing beyond its combat sports roots to offer fans even more action

New York, NY (December 11, 2023): FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE’s continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.

“TrillerTV is everything you know and trust from FITE, but with doors open for even more sports,” said Michael Weber, Co-Founder and COO of TrillerTV. “Our original name served us well, as have our loyal customers, promoters, and athletes to whom we are super grateful. The time has come to give even more to expand the experience we’ve built from the ground up to celebrate the passion and precision that makes us all love sports.”

FITE was founded in 2015 using pioneering and proprietary AI tools to enhance the viewer experience. The platform has since grown, thanks to its hard-driving, sports-fanatic team, to serve 8 million registered users around the world, and to present blockbuster events with the biggest names in their fields.

Subscription services AEW Plus, FITE+, and the FAST channel, FITE 24/7 have all grown at an astounding rate, and now FITE+ becomes TrillerTV+, FITE 24/7 becomes TrillerTV 24/7, and AEW Plus keeps its name. Both TrillerTV+ and AEW Plus have newly enabled geo-tagged pricing, increasing their value proposition for international audiences.

”Now that we’ve proven FITE in 10s of thousands of live events from all over the world, it’s time to expand to more content verticals under our new brand TrillerTV,” Kosta Jordanov, Co-Founder and CEO of TrillerTV, said, “We will be adding new sports categories, more premium brand promotions, and continuing to improve our technology to give the best user experience in streaming sports and entertainment.”

“We are thrilled to realize one of the core objectives of the acquisition of FITE,” added Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. “The launch of TrillerTV is the culmination of the strategy of expansion from their combat sports roots to broader sports content and even broader entertainment verticals across the globe. TrillerTV is a great example of Triller’s open-garden approach of delivering high quality entertainment on every platform; mobile phones, PCs, streaming devices, set-top-boxes and gaming consoles.”

NJPW Introducing Global Championship At Wrestle Kingdom 18

The new championship belt being introduced by New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 18 now has a name. During a press conference today following the conclusion of this year’s World Tag League tournament, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced that the winner of the three-way match between Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley, and David Finlay on January 4 will be crowned the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. The decision to create the new title came after Finlay destroyed both the NJPW United States Heavyweight Championship and the NJPW United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship (a rebranded belt made by then-U.S. titleholder Ospreay) belts at Power Struggle last month.

The introduction of the Global Heavyweight Championship also coincides with NJPW’s aim to establish its presence in more countries next year; the company wants to grow “throughout all of Europe and the rest of Asia and Oceania.” NJPW has already attempted to make a larger mark in both the United Kingdom and the United States, hence the creation of the NJPW STRONG brand in the U.S. a few years ago. Notably, the Japanese organization had considered reviving the NJPW Intercontinental Championship, which was retired in March 2021, for the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom. However, given NJPW’s mission for more global reach, it was agreed that the Global Heavyweight Championship name was “most fitting” of the current plans and direction.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Update On Charlotte Flair Following WWE SmackDown Injury

It seems last Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown” may be one Charlotte Flair will wish she could forget. During a match against Asuka, the 15-time women’s champion took a nasty spill off the top rope, hitting her head and landing awkwardly on her leg, leading to the match being quickly wrapped up. The injury has since been confirmed to be legitimate, and judging by WWE’s current reaction, it doesn’t appear Flair will be around any time soon. PWInsider reports that Flair has returned to her home in Florida and has been pulled off the road until further notice. As of this writing, it’s unclear how much time Flair will miss, though WWE is said to be moving quickly to determine the nature of the injuries she suffered during the match.

This will be Flair’s third absence in the past year and a half, having missed over seven months in 2022 and another two months earlier this year. However, neither absence appeared to be caused by injury — in 2022 it was attributed to her marriage to AEW star Andrade El Idolo, while her missed time this year seemed to be a planned break after her loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39.

Should Flair miss a significant amount of time, it would throw a wrench in the current direction of the “SmackDown” women’s division, which has seen Flair, Bianca Belair, and Shotzi feuding with a revitalized Damage CTRL comprising Bayley, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, Asuka, and WWE Womens’ Champion IYO SKY. Alongside Becky Lynch, the trio recently defeated Damage CTRL in a WarGames match at the Survivor Series PLE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Non-Compete Clauses Are Reportedly Almost Over For Several Released Former WWE Stars

One of the more unfortunate aspects of the WWE-UFC merger earlier this year was that it led to several within WWE, both in and out of the ring, losing their jobs this past September. And while the releases will surely still sting, with the end of December quickly approaching, many of the in-ring talents will finally have a chance to get back in the ring for another promotion.

PWInsider Elite reports that the bulk of talents let go by WWE in September are set to have their noncompete clauses expire next Thursday, December 21. Among the talents that would now be available to work for any promotion they choose are Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, Shelton Benjamin, Dana Brooke, Aliyah, Rick Boogs, Mace, Mansor, Riddick Moss, Top Dolla, Elias, Dabbo-Kato, Quincy Elliot, Yulisa Leon, Shanky, and Matt Riddle.

Many of the released WWE names have already been announcing future bookings, though so far all are for events one month after their noncompetes end. The includes Ziggler, who announced over the weekend that his first match outside of WWE would take place on January 20 in Puerto Rico, where he’ll work for the World Wrestling Council. Mace and Mansoor are set to compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch the same day, though they have already made one non-wrestling appearance for Deadlock Pro Wrestling this past weekend. Matt Riddle has also lined up future bookings for that month, with the controversial wrestler going down to Mexico to work for The Crash Lucha Libre on January 19.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 12/11/2023

Tonight’s WWE RAW on USA Network from the Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland, OH.

  • CM Punk to decide with which brand he will sign.
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso

Impact Wrestling Final Resolution (12/9/2023) Results, Zack Sabre Jr, Trent Seven

IMPACT Wrestling hosted a new edition of Final Resolution, the last show under the IMPACT Wrestling name.

  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: PCO def. Clutch Jessie.
  • Jake Something cut a promo backstage, but he was attacked from behind by Jason Hotch with a chair. Security guards separated Something & Hotch.
  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: Jack Price def. Aiden Prince.
  • Jordynne Grace & IMPACT Knockouts Champion Trinity were interviewed backstage by Gia Miller. They will face each other on Hard To Kill for the title, but they promised to focus on teaming for tonight’s match.
  • Countdown to Final Resolution Match: Frankie Kazarian def. Sheldon Jean.
  • IMPACT Tag Team Championship Match: Bullet Club’s Ace & Bey Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers (w/ Alisha Edwards).
    • The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) attacked ABC after the match, where they called their shot at the IMPACT Tag Titles.
  • Josh Alexander & NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr cut a promo backstage ahead of their match against Motor City Machine Guns. They put over the Guns, with Sabre Jr saying that he would prove why he was the greatest technical wrestler ever. They aimed to get gold after tonight.
  • Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards cut a promo in the ring, where she dissed the Toronto crowd for their accents. Santino Marella interrupted and booked an impromptu match between Alisha and Jody Threat.
  • Jody Threat def. Alisha Edwards (w/ Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers).
  • IMPACT Digital Media Championship Match: Tommy Dreamer (c) def. Deaner.
  • The Rascalz cut a promo backstage, but they were immediately interrupted by Santino Marella. Marella booked them into an impromptu tag match against Mike Bailey & a mystery opponent. The mystery partner was revealed to be Trent Seven.
  • Mike Bailey & Trent Seven def. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz).
  • Scott D’Amore came to the ring and officially offered a contract to Trent Seven, which he signed. Seven is now on TNA.
  • The Motor City Machine Guns cut a promo backstage, where they promised that they would be heading into TNA as victors tonight.
  • Jake Something def. Jason Hotch.
  • Moose def. Rhino.
  • Frankie Kazarian cut a promo backstage, where he said that he was excited to see the rebirth of TNA. He said that 2024 would be the year of TNA & the year of Frankie Kazarian.
  • Jordynne Grace & IMPACT Knockouts Champion Trinity def. Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw.
    • Gisele Shaw & Deonna Purrazzo argued after the match. The two shook hands, but Shaw pulled Purrazzo in and hit her with the Lethal Combination.
  • Moose was interviewed by Gia Miller backstage, where Moose said that he would be known as the new TNA World Champion at TNA Hard to Kill.
  • Josh Alexander & Zack Sabre Jr​​​​​​​ def. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley).