TBS And TNT No Longer Developing New Scripted Programming

Warner Bros. Discovery has decided to cut new scripted programming from both TBS and TNT for the time being, according to a report from Variety.

WarnerMedia was recently merged with Discovery, and they are already making changes. AEW was not mentioned in the report, and it is not known if the move will affect AEW, live event programming or reality shows in any way. Last year WarnerMedia was hiring a “Director, Scripted Development & Programming” for AEW and it was noted that four AEW series were in development, which included “Rhodes to the Top.”

It is unclear what is going to be happening with ongoing scripted shows on TBS and TNT, such as Snowpiercer. Warner Bros. However, scripted content on both TBS and TNT had been slowing down anyway in recent years. TBS was only airing four scripted shows prior to this report, while TNT has just two.

When it comes to AEW, the company has a deal that runs through 2023, that was originally signed back in 2020. AEW commentator Tony Schiavone recently spoke about the Discover/Warner Media merger. He told his What Happened When podcast that he does not believe AEW needs to have any immediate concerns. For him, AEW is a viable product for Discovery to consider.

“From the people I’ve talked with, no,” Schiavone responded when asked if AEW should have any concerns. “For me on the surface, yes, because I know what happened before [with WCW]. But I think we have a viable enough product that if Discovery says, ‘We don’t want wrestling,’ we could end up somewhere else.

“The Khans are pretty plugged in. That’s what’s different about this era is that if Time Warner/Discovery doesn’t want us, we still have a business. I think there’s always some concern, but we’ve built up a very good relationship with Warner Media.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Hangman Page Off AEW Dynamite Tonight Due To COVID-19

A familiar face will be missing from AEW Dynamite tonight in the form of Hangman Page.

The AEW World Champion announced on Twitter this morning that he will not be at the show after he has fallen ill with COVID-19. Hangman Page still implored fans to enjoy the show despite his absence.

“Dynomite is tonight at 8pm on TBS but i will not be on there because my face is full of covid snot, sorry,” Page tweeted, intentionally misspelling Dynamite. “Please enjoy regardless.”

Hangman Page had not been scheduled for AEW Dynamite prior to this morning, though it was expected there would be a follow-up to a stare-down Page had with CM Punk last week following Punk’s victory over Dustin Rhodes. Punk himself will appear on AEW Dynamite tonight, doing commentary for the Owen Hart Cup qualifying match between FTR members Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood.

AEW Dynamite will take place tonight in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

https://twitter.com/theAdamPage/status/1519301733679312903

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The IInspiration Announce They Will Be Stepping Away From Wrestling Indefinitely

WWE released more than 80 wrestlers in 2021, and among those let go were Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. Formerly known as The Iiconics, the Aussie pair switched things up and now go by their real names, Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay and calling themselves The IInspiration. The pair were absent for a short while before signing with Impact Wrestling, and it now seems they will be stepping away from the business for even longer after a short stay with the company.

Lee and McKay, who dubbed themselves The Iinspiration upon arriving in Impact, released a joint statement today revealing that there time with Impact has come to an end. Not only that, but they will be taking a break from wrestling entirely, writing that they will stepping away from in-ring action indefinitely.

“We will cherish these IMPACT memories forever. We are excited to start a new chapter in our lives and explore other opportunities that may come our way,” the statement reads. Lee and McKay signed with Impact in October, six months after they were part of WWE’s April 2021 cuts. The two won Impact’s Knockouts Tag Championships in there very first match.

Source: TheSportster

WWE NXT Preview 4/26/22

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 episode will air live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando with the go-home build for next Tuesday’s NXT Spring Breakin’ special episode.

Mustafa Ali And Asuka Return On RAW

The rumor mill was really working overtime ahead of this week’s Raw. First, news that Asuka would be making an appearance on WWE TV for the first time since last summer, and then the even more surprising news that Mustafa Ali would also be making an appearance. Turns out both of those rumors were true as Ali and Asuka returned for pretty major segments on Monday night.

They weren’t the only two Superstars making their WWE returns last night either. Becky Lynch also showed her face on Raw for the first time since losing the Raw Women’s Title at WrestleMania. It was while Big Time Becks was vowing revenge against The EST of WWE that Asuka’s music hit. The Empress let Lynch know no one is ready for Asuka, and a physical altercation that began with Asuka flicking Lynch’s nose ended when the latter rolled out of the ring.

While Asuka’s return has been on the cards for a while, most fans likely assumed we would never see Ali in a WWE ring again, at least not anytime soon. Ali interrupted a Miz TV segment involving Theory at which point he was predictably berated for going missing for the past six months. Ali questioned whether Theory would be bringing back the US Title open challenge, at which point he declined to face Ali in a match.

Miz and Ali continued to go back and forth until Theory used his pull with the boss to book the two of them in a match. The match ended with Ali winning via a rollup, at which point The A-Lister told Ali he’ll make him wish he got his walking papers. This is a reference to Ali being denied his request to be released by WWE back in January of this year. Ali was brought right back down to Earth when Ciampa rushed him on the ramp, standing over him to end the segment.

With less than two weeks to go until WrestleMania Backlash, both Ali and Asuka’s returns appears to be set ups for potential matches on the premium live event card. The card is arguably in need of some fresh faces since right now, three of the five matches announced are WrestleMania rematches.

Source: TheSportster

NWA Alwayz Ready PPV To Be Held In Matt Cardona’s Honor

NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Matt Cardona has announced that the next NWA pay-per-view will be held on Saturday, June 11 from the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, TN.

The “Alwayz Ready” pay-per-view is being named after Cardona, and held in his honor.

“I am honored to be @nwa Worlds Heavyweight Champion. I am proud to announce that the next NWA PPV will be called Alwayz Ready! Get your tickets at NWATIX.com or watch on @fitetv!,” Cardona wrote in a tweet, revealing two promotional posters seen below.

NWA owner Billy Corgan noted in a press release that Alwayz Ready will feature Cardona’s entrance music as the show’s sole theme song, and all promotional materials will include Cardona’s brand and likeness, including a modified NWA logo, which now reads MCWA for Matt Cardona Wrestling Alliance.

“As World’s Heavyweight Champion, Matt Cardona insisted that if he was to be compelled to go to a storied NWA territory like Knoxville, Tennessee and defend the championship, he would only appear if the June 11th PPV was in his honor,” Cardona said. “This event, named after his singular catchphrase ‘Alwayz Ready’, will feature his entrance music as the show’s sole theme, and all promotional materials therein will include his brand and likeness; including no less than a modified NWA logo which now reads MCWA (Matt Cardona Wrestling Alliance.) Now all that’s left is for the champion to be ready to live up to his requests.”

Cardona also provided comments in the press release when asked for his thoughts on being honored.

“Did Ric Flair ever have an event named after him? No. Did Harley Race? Never. As the only REAL World’s Champion I am honored to have this event named after me because I earned this all by myself. Everyone should know they have to be a part of this once in a lifetime event to share in me elevating the NWA to new greatness,” Cardona said.

Corgan also spoke to Ryan Wilusz of KnoxNews.com about the Alwayz Ready pay-per-view, and said the company will be bringing their A-game.

“This is not a house show,” Corgan said. “We’re bringing our A-game. These are all world-class mashups you’re going to get.”

The NWA will also hold a Powerrr taping the next day at the same venue. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 11am ET via NWAtix.com. VIP ringside seats for the pay-per-view are riced at $75, the first several rows are $35, and general admission seats are $20. The FITE TV stream will run for $24.99, but it’s also included in the $49.99 NWA All-Access annual pass.

Cardona has been the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion since defeating Trevor Murdoch at NWA PowerrrTrip on February 12 in Oak Grove, KY, which aired as the March 8 edition of NWA Powerrr. He also currently holds the Impact Wrestling Digital Media Champion, the AIW Absolute Title, the AIW Intense Title, the All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Title, and the NYWC Heavyweight Title.

https://twitter.com/TheMattCardona/status/1518595576673280001

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 4/25/22

WWE RAW will air live tonight from the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Tonight’s RAW will be headlined by a 20th Anniversary Celebration for RAW Tag Team Champion Randy Orton. The WWE Legend made his official TV debut with a win over Hardcore Holly on the April 25, 2002 edition of SmackDown.

WWE has announced the following line-up for tonight:

* Becky Lynch makes her first RAW appearance since WrestleMania 38

* 20th Anniversary Celebration for RAW Tag Team Champion Randy Orton

* Hometown star and RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sonya Deville

* Bobby Lashley vs. Omos in an Arm Wrestling Contest

Former WWE Star Athena (fka Ember Moon) Wins Warrior Wrestling Women’s Title

Athena (fka Ember Moon) won the Warrior Wrestling Women’s title in South Bend on Saturday night at Warrior Wrestling XXI.

Athena defeated Skye Blue and Shazza McKenzie to win the vacant title.

Thunder Rosa relinquished the Warrior Wrestling Women’s Championship on April 23.

Athena is the fourth wrestler to hold the Warrior Wrestlings Women’s title. Past champions include  Tessa Blanchard, Kylie Rae, and Rosa.

Below are the results of Warrior Wrestling XXI:

* Sam Adonis (c) defeated Aramis (Warrior Wrestling Lucha Championship Match)

* Storm Grayson defeated Alex Zayne with the help of Frank The Clown

* Karl Fredericks defeated Clark Conners (LA Dojo Showcase Match)

* Swerve Strickland defeated Adam Brooks

* Double Dante (Dante Leon & Dante Martin) defeated KC Navarro & Brian Cage

* Athena defeated Shazza McKenzie (w/Frank The Clown) and Skye Blue (Warrior Wrestling Women’s Championship Match)

* Will Ospreay (c) defeated Blake Christian (Warrior Championship Match)

https://twitter.com/WarriorWrstlng/status/1518041072198459394

NJPW President Saves Child At Train Station Upon Return To Japan

NJPW President Takami Ohbari had an eventful visit to the United States, appearing at NJPW Windy City Riot and then AEW Dynamite the following Wednesday. As noted, Ohbari was a part of the segment with Tony Khan, Adam Cole, and ‘Switchblade’ Jay White when AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door was announced.

It appears Ohbari’s return to Japan didn’t allow any reprieve from the chaos, as he revealed on Twitter this weekend. With translation help from Reddit user DamieN62 and Google Translate, it’s noted that Ohbari helped a small girl who was trapped between the train and the platform.

“I just returned (to Japan) and am on my way home by train. A few minutes ago, a girl who could barely stand fell between the train and the platform. She was lying on the platform, and with the help of her mother, we managed to pull her up. Her little face could barely fit through the gap.

Parents beware!

Since I retired from volleyball, my height has never been so useful. My heart is still racing.”

https://twitter.com/TAKAMIOHBARI/status/1517800769466269697

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door is scheduled for June 26 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, just four weeks after AEW Double or Nothing on May 29. It’s likely we see several more crossovers between AEW and New Japan talent on their respective shows in the following months.

Impact Wrestling Rebellion Results 4/23/2022

COUNTDOWN TO REBELLION

Eddie Edwards defeated Chris Bey

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood) (c) defeated The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay)

REBELLION

Steve Maclin defeated Jay White & Chris Sabin

AAA REINA DE REINAS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Taya Valkyrie defeated Deonna Purrazzo (c) to become new AAA Reina De Reinas Champion

IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Ace Austin defeated Mike Bailey & Trey Miguel (c) to become the new X-Division Champion

Tomohiro Ishii defeated JONAH

IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – 8 TEAM ELIMINATION CHALLENGE MATCH
Violent By Design (Eric Young & Joe Doering) (C) defeated The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson), Rich Swann & Willie Mack, Rhino & Heath, The OGK (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven), Zicky Dice & Johnny Swinger, W. Morrissey & Jordynne Grace, and Major Players (Matt Cardona & Brian Myers)

Violent By Design eliminated Heath & Rhino to retain the tag team titles. 

IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Tasha Steelz (c) defeated Rosemary

IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Josh Alexander defeated Moose (c) to become the new Impact World Champion