The Dudley Boyz (Team 3D) Have Reportedly Signed WWE Legends Contracts

Fans attending the taping of Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode this weekend will witness the special reunion of Bully Ray and D-Von, collectively known as Team 3D in Impact (and the Dudley Boyz in WWE). Before they lace up their boots again, a new report shared an interesting tidbit about the team’s relationship with that other company.

Amidst a write-up penned by Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, it is noted that Bully Ray and D-Von recently inked legends contracts with WWE. The specific terms of those agreements are unknown, but with both men set to reunite at Impact 1000, and Bully still appearing as an active performer in the company, it seems there is at least a little freedom for them to seek work in promotions outside of WWE.

The Dudley Boyz’s last WWE match took place on the SummerSlam 2016 kick-off show as they faced the team of Sami Zayn and Neville. The duo were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2018.

In the years following their induction, D-Von took a major step back from wrestling as he dealt with some health issues, which included a back surgery, and a stroke that he suffered in 2020. Luckily, D-Von has since bounced back, and is now preparing for his in-ring return as he and Bully take on a pair of mystery opponents at Impact 1000.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 9/7/2023

MLW FUSION featuring fallout from Fury Road, streaming 8pm tonight on MLW’s YouTube channel and FITE+, Friday on beIN XTRA and Saturday on Cable TV’s beIN SPORTS (find a provider). 

Following a contentious Fury Road World Heavyweight Championship clash, Alex Kane is in the house. What’s next for the captain of the Bomaye Fight Club?

Salina de la Renta is BACK in MLW. The empresaria of lucha libre shocked the world of wrestling at Fury Road. Get the scoop on Salina!

A huge New Japan x MLW crossover update has a major player entering MLW… and Fatu has strong words about it.

Promoter Saint Laurent promises reprisals for The Second Gear Crew after Ol’ Mancer took a giant bite out of The World Titan Federation huckster’s appendage at Fury Road. 

The Calling have collected more gold. What does it mean for MLW? Find out on FUSION!

Plus an international championship hoss fight takes center stage as Germany’s WXW Unified World Wrestling Champion Shigehiro Irie defends his gold against Calvin Tankman.

In other competition, Microman and The Mane Event thrill the masses and take to the skies against The FBI and Jesus Rodriguez.

It’s not his fault if Snisky debuts in singles competition and puts a man in the hospital… or is it?

Impact Wrestling Preview 9/7/2023

It’s the last stop before Victory Road and IMPACT 1000. Don’t miss an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Dani Luna
  • Lio Rush vs. Kevin Knight
  • SUBCULTURE(Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) vs. Rich Swann & Sami Callihan
  • Josh Alexander & PCO vs. Bully Ray & Steve Maclin
  • Trinity and Alisha Edwards meet for a Knockouts World Championship Contract Signing
  • Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura in Tag Team action

ROH Preview 9/7/2023

ROH will air a new episode of its weekly television show tonight at 7 pm ET on HonorClub. 

You can sign up for the streaming service here. Below is the lineup for the show: 

  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) vs. Allysin Kay
  • Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta), Darius Martin & Action Andretti vs. The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) & The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)
  • Willow Nightingale & Skye Blue vs. The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn Renegade)
  • Lady Frost vs. Leyla Hirsch
  • ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona, & Bishop Kaun) vs. Griff Garrison, Metalik, & Gravity in a proving ground match
  • ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. Lee Johnson in a proving ground match
  • Willie Mack & The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) w/Trish Adora in action
  • Angelico & Serpentico in action
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata vs. Gringo Loco and Blake Christian

WWE Alumnus General Adnan Passes Away

General Adnan (Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissie El Farthie), best known for his time in WWE, has passed away at the age of 84.

Former announcer Ken Resnick shared the sad news on social media, writing,

“So deeply saddened to learn that my friend of 40 years, the legendary Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey/Gen. Adnan passed away this morning. May you rest in peace ‘my brother’.”

The details of Adnan’s passing remain unknown at this time.

WWE issued the following statement on Adnan’s passing:

Adnan Al-Kaissie “General Adnan” passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Adnan Al-Kaissie, known to sports-entertainment fans as Billy White Wolf, Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy and General Adnan, passed away on Sept. 6 at 84.

Debuting in 1959, Al-Kaissie wrote in his biography that he was born in Baghdad. He had an amateur wrestling career in Iraq and attended Oklahoma State University.

Beginning his career as Adnan Kaissy, he competed for a number of promotions under many names. He was Billy White Wolf in WWE, where he won the WWE World Tag Team Championship in 1976. He later joined WWE again as General Adnan. He was Sheik of Sheiks of Baghdad in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He was also an in-ring competitor and manager Sheik Adnan El Kaissy in the American Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling.

He headlined SummerSlam 1991 with Col. Mustafa (The Iron Sheik) and Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter against Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior.

Most recently, his General Adnan character appeared in WWE 2K15 and WWE 2K16.

WWE extends its condolences to Adnan Al-Kaissie’s family, friends and fans.

Sgt. Slaughter commented on Adnan’s passing:

Thunder Rosa Is Ready To Return To The Ring

After being out of action since August of last year due to a back injury, Thunder Rosa is reportedly ready to make her return to in-ring action.

Fightful Select is reporting that Rosa has been cleared to return as soon as creative comes up with something for her.

While there is no word on whether Rosa’s return is imminent, it’s said that she could show up at any time now.

WWE-UFC Merger Sets Expected Date To Close Deal, Create TKO Group Holdings

It was revealed last month that the WWE-UFC merger was expected to be finalized by “mid-to-late” September. Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., UFC’s parent company, and WWE have said today that they expect their previously agreed deal to form a new sports and entertainment company, TKO Group Holdings, Inc., to close on September 12. TKO will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange once the transaction is complete.

It was announced on April 3 — the day after WrestleMania 39 had concluded at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California — that WWE and UFC would be merging under the Endeavor umbrella to create a company. 

Ari Emanuel, Endeavor’s CEO, and Vince McMahon, WWE’s Executive Chairman, discussed the deal with CNBC after it had been announced. McMahon said that the newly formed organization would become “a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse.”

According to the agreement, McMahon is set to become the Executive Chairman of the new organization, while Nick Khan and Dana White will retain their respective roles as CEO of WWE and President of UFC. Emanuel will become CEO of TKO.

It was recently reported that there was a sense of “doom and gloom” among WWE employees regarding the impending WWE-UFC merger. It’s said that many are worried about potential cuts once the deal closes.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Reported Reactions, Interest From WWE & Other Promotions With CM Punk On Open Market

With CM Punk’s time in AEW having reached an acrimonious end, many are wondering what is next for the two-time AEW World Champion, with some wondering if he could wind up back at WWE, another promotion, or if he would once again disappear as he did following his WWE departure in 2014. At least a few days removed from his AEW exit, it appears there is some interest in Punk popping up elsewhere.

PWInsider Elite reports that Punk became a topic of discussion within WWE as soon as he was fired, and the response has been pretty divided. While some in WWE look at it as a chance for the promotion to make a lot of money, with one top talent even going as far to endorse the idea, many more were said to be against it and didn’t believe it would happen. However it turns out, Punk joining WWE would be a discussion saved for later, as the promotion is currently focused on finalizing its merger with Endeavor, set to be completed this month. It is also believed that Endeavor themselves would make the call to sign him. Punk had previously worked for Endeavor when he competed in UFC, and is said to have had a good relationship with top Endeavor brass.

As for other promotions, Impact Wrestling was also said to be interested in Punk, though it’s unclear if they would be able to afford him, something considered a potential issue for other promotions that may have interest. As for NJPW, it is believed the promotion wouldn’t pursue Punk, due to their relationship with AEW. It is further believed that Punk was released without a noncompete clause, which would allow him to sign anywhere at any time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 9/6/2023

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite live on TBS from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fallout from All Out

  • AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament Begins
  • Grand Slam World Title Eliminator: Roderick Strong vs. Trent Beretta
  • Grand Slam World Title Eliminator: Darby Allin vs. Nick Wayne
  • Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara vs. Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis)
  • We will hear from Hangman Page
  • MJF will address Samoa Joe

Becky Lynch Appears On WWE NXT, Will Face Tiffany Stratton Next Week

Becky Lynch is coming to the WWE NXT brand next week to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women’s Championship.

On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her NXT Women’s Title against Kiana James in the opening match.

Following Stratton’s win, Becky Lynch appeared on the TitanTron and congratulated Stratton on her win. Becky then went on to tell Tiffany that she’d see her next week in the main event with the NXT Women’s Championship on the line.