- Kosei Fujita & Yasutaka Yano wrestle to a time-limit draw
- TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & Yuji Nagata def. Akitoshi Saito, King Tany, & Muhammad Yone
- CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, & YOSHI-HASHI), Master Wato, & Ryusuke Taguchi def. Daiki Inaba, Daisuke Harada, Hajime Ohara, Kinya Okada, & Yoshiki Inamura
- SHO def. Atsushi Kotoge
- HAYATA & Seiki Yoshioka def. Bullet Club (Gedo & Taiji Ishimori)
- Suzuki-gun (DOUKI & El Desperado) def. NOSAWA RONGAI & YO-HEY
- Kazushi Sakuraba, Takashi Sugiura, & Toru Yano def. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, & TAKA Michinoku)
- Go Shiozaki & Masa Kitamura def. Bullet Club (Dick Togo & EVIL)
- Naomichi Marufuji & Yoshinari Ogawa def. Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Zack Sabre, Jr.)
- Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, Shingo Takagi, & Tetsuya Naito) def. ALEJA, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh, Manabu Soya, & Tadasuke vs.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada def. Keiji Muto & Kiyomiya Kaito
Former WWE Announcer Joins Impact’s Announce Team
Renee Paquette took to Twitter earlier today and revealed that her friend and former WWE announcer, Tom Hannifan (Tom Phillips), will be joining Impact for commentary during tonight’s Hard To Kill event.
Paquette writes, “Huge news!! @TomHannifan joins @IMPACTWRESTLING as their newest play-by-play announcer at Hard To Kill! What a pick-up for them! I have Tom’s first interview this coming Tuesday on The Sessions!! @TheVolumeSports.”
Hannifan was also spotted in Dallas this morning, leading to some speculation prior to the announcement, according to PWInsider. He replaces Matt Striker on the announce team who, as we noted, revealed earlier this week that he is done with Impact Wrestling.
“I am disappointed that my time with #ImpactonAXSTV is done,” Striker wrote on Twitter. “I REALLY enjoyed that locker room. Thanks for allowing me to tell your story. Thanks, everyone. Stay safe.”
D’Lo Brown, however, will remain on the commentary team and will be beside Hannifan to call the play-by-play for Hard To Kill. The duo will be the new team going forward on Impact on AXS TV as of this Thursday’s episode.
Hannifan, age 32, was a part of WWE’s staff from 2012 through May 2021 when he was released by the company along with multiple other employees. At that time, his roles included producing and managing announcers as Senior Manager of On-Air Talent under Michael Cole.
After his departure from WWE, Tom Hannifan transitioned into the world of college football when he became a host for Paydirt: A Penn State Football Podcast.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE’s Medical Update On Sasha Banks Says She Will Miss The Royal Rumble
WWE provided an update on former Women’s Champion Sasha Banks earlier today, confirming reports that she is dealing with a foot injury. The full announcement can be seen below:
“Sasha Banks injury update
Sasha Banks suffered a foot injury Sunday evening at a WWE Live! event in Fayetteville, NC. After seeking emergency medical attention, it was determined nothing was broken. Sasha underwent an MRI and it was discovered she has a bruised calcaneus bone. She is at home recovering and undergoing physical therapy. She is expected to be out of action for 6-8 weeks. Stay locked in to WWE Digital for the latest updates.”
With the timeline provided, Banks is expected to miss the upcoming premium live event, WWE Royal Rumble 2022, taking place on Saturday, January 29. Stay tuned for updates on Banks’s status.
Banks wrestled SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at last Sunday’s WWE live event in Fayetteville, NC, and appeared to hurt her leg or knee while taking an over-the-knee backbreaker. She kicked out of a pinfall but stayed on the mat while the referee checked her out, before they went to the finish with Flair getting the win after a Natural Selection. Banks was then helped to the back.
Banks posted an update for fans later that night, writing, “I’m good [fist emoji] Thank you for the love always. [heart emoji]”
It looked as though WWE may have been building towards Banks vs. Flair at Royal Rumble, as the two have been wrestling both on television in tag matches and at live events. However, if WWE’s report holds true, Banks will miss the Rumble and as noted, Flair will be appearing as the SmackDown Women’s Champion in the rumble. If she wins, Charlotte claims she will choose her own challenger for WrestlerMania this year.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
AEW Battle Of The Belts Preview 1/8/22 (Updated) – Cody Rhodes Confirms COVID-19 Diagnosis
AEW Battle of The Belts will air this Saturday on TNT at 8pm ET, live from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC. The local start time is 7pm ET, indicating that they may tape other matches before the show.
In a video package, it was revealed that Cody Rhodes will not compete at Battle Of The Belts due to “medical protocol” and that his brother Dustin Rhodes will take his place. Dustin and Sammy Guevara will compete to determine an interim TNT Champion
* AEW Women’s World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (c) vs. Riho
* AEW TNT Interim Championship: Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara
* FTW Championship: Ricky Starks (c) vs. Matt Sydal
Cody Rhodes confirmed that he tested positive for Covid-19.
Cody provided an update for both he and Brandi Rhodes, his wife. In it, he mentions how multiple family members have tested positive and are quarantining with them.
“I appreciate everybody reaching out. Brandi and I are in isolation with family that have unfortunately tested positive for Covid. It’s been a scary time dealing with such a strong virus and the complications that can come with it. We are doing all we can to nurse and protect the family during this time. I will remain in quarantine as long as needed.
“Everyday is more encouraging,” Cody Rhodes continued. “Thank you immensely for your support and respect for our privacy. Thank you to AEW for understanding and allowing me to be where I am needed today, and for still allowing the TNT Title to be represented. I look forward to being back soon. All the love in the world!”
Rhodes also posted a pro-vaccine message to his Instagram Stories on Thursday morning, possibly when he first discovered the positive test results. At the time, he wrote “Please get vaccinated – if not for yourself, for the young kids/babies who can’t defend themselves as easily from Covid.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James Announced For WWE’s Royal Rumble
Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James will compete in the upcoming 2022 WWE women’s Royal Rumble match.
Mickie James is about to walk through the forbidden door … and straight into the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble match.
During this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown Charlotte Flair revealed the names of several women who are set to compete in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match — including Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, who was released by WWE in April of last year.
But it gets weirder … on top of announcing that Mickie would be in the Rumble, Impact Wrestling was actually mentioned on air. At one point, SmackDown color commentator Pat McAfee referred to Mickie as “the Impact Knockouts Champion.”
Soon after, both WWE and Impact referenced one another in tweets announcing Mickie’s participation in the Rumble, while Impact’s EVP Scott D’Amore congratulated WWE for finally walking through the forbidden door.
The other participants announced for the women’s Royal Rumble match are as follows:
Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, Dana Brooke, Carmella, Queen Zelina Vega, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, and Lita. The match will feature 30 competitors in total meaning there are still 11 more participants to be announced.
As you might recall, Mickie James was released by WWE back in April, allegedly due to budget cuts necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mickie James returned to Impact after a six-year absence during the company’s Slammiversary pay-per-view back in July. Her relationship with the company first began way back in 2002 when it was called TNA. She signed for WWE in 2003 but returned to Impact in 2010. The legend kicked off her fourth reign as Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion with a win over Deonna Purrazzo at Bound For Glory last October.
The 2022 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Source: TheSportster
Matt Striker Reportedly Done With Impact Wrestling
Matt Striker is reportedly done with Impact Wrestling.
In a now-deleted post, Striker tweeted that he was finished with the company and that he was disappointed that his run was over.
“I am disappointed that my time with #ImpactonAXSTV is done,” Striker wrote. “I REALLY enjoyed that locker room. Thanks for allowing me to tell your story. Thanks, everyone. Stay safe.”
PWInsider confirmed with Impact Wrestling sources that Striker is no longer with the company.
Since leaving WWE in 2013, Striker has worked commentary for various promotions, including Lucha Underground. He joined the Impact announce team in January of 2021 along with D’Lo Brown, replacing Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne. PWInsider noted that Brown will remain on the broadcast team.
It appears that Striker’s release from Impact was performance related, according to RingsideNews. Striker has a lot of experience as a wrestling commentator in several companies including WWE, AAA, and Lucha Underground. That experience wasn’t enough to please the folks in charge at Impact.
In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer talked about Matt Striker’s release from Impact Wrestling. The move has been in the work for months. The company will now have to scramble to find a replacement as the Hard to Kill pay-per-view is Saturday.
Source: Wrestling Inc. and RingsideNews
Impact Wrestling Hard To Kill 1/8/2022
DATE: January 8, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: , The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas, Texas
CARD
3-WAY MATCH FOR THE IMPACT WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Moose (c) vs. Matt Cardona vs. W. Morrissey
TEXAS DEATHMATCH FOR THE IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mickie James (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
INAUGURAL KNOCKOUTS ULTIMATE X MATCH (WINNER BECOMES #1 CONTENDER TO THE KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP)
Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Lady Frost vs. Alisha Edwards vs. Rosemary vs. Tasha Steelz
10-MAN HARDCORE WAR MATCH
Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Heath and Rhino vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) and Violent By Design (Eric Young, Cody Deaner, and Joe Doering)
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay) (c) vs. The Influence (Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood) (with Kaleb with a K)
ROH WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jonathan Gresham (c) vs. Chris Sabin
IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Trey Miguel (c) vs. Steve Maclin ( If Maclin fails to win, he will no longer be able to challenge for the title as long as Miguel is champion.)
Josh Alexander vs. Jonah
PRE-SHOW (Countdown to Hard To Kill)
Chris Bey vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Ace Austin vs. Laredo Kid
AEW Battle Of The Belts Preview 1/8/22
AEW Battle of The Belts will air this Saturday on TNT at 8pm ET, live from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC. The local start time is 7pm ET, indicating that they may tape other matches before the show.
AEW only has two matches announced for the one-hour Battle of The Belts event as of this writing.
* AEW Women’s World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (c) vs. Riho
* AEW TNT Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Sammy Guevara
AEW noted on Twitter last night that a change has been made to the Battle of The Belts card due to medical protocol. No other details were provided, but the match change will be announced during tonight’s taped Rampage episode on TNT.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 Night Three 1/8/2022
DATE: January 8, 2022 12:00 am
LOCATION: Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa, Japan
AVAILABLE ON: NJPW World
* Pre-show: Kosei Fujita vs. Yasutaka Yano
* Pre-show: Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima) and Yuji Nagata vs. Funky Express (King Tany, Muhammad Yone, Akitoshi Saito)
* NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion Sho vs. Atsushi Kotoge
* The Bullet Club (Taiji Ishimori, Gedo) vs. Stinger (Seiki Yoshioka, GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion & GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion Hayata)
* Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Douki) vs. Yo-Hey and Nosawa Rongai
* Chaos (NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi), Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Harada, Hajime Ohara, Daiki Inaba, Akitoshi Saito and Kinya Okada
* Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, IWGP Tag Team Champion Zack Sabre Jr.) vs. Yoshinari Ogawa and GHC Tag Team Champion Naomichi Marufuji
* House of Torture (NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion Evil, Dick Togo) vs. Go Shiozaki and Masa Kitamiya
* IWGP Tag Team Champion Taichi, Minoru Suzuki and Taka Michinoku vs. Kazushi Sakuraba, Takashi Sugiura and TBA
* Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kaito Kiyomiya and GHC Tag Team Champion Keiji Mutoh
*Los Ingobernables de Japón (IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Hiromu Takahashi, Bushi) vs. Kongo (GHC Heavyweight Champion Katsuhiko Nakajima, GHC National Champion Kenoh, Manabu Soya, Tadasuke, Aleja)
AEW Rampage Preview 1/7/22
The first AEW Rampage episode of 2022 will air tonight on TNT, taped earlier this week at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Tonight’s Rampage will also feature an announcement on a match change for Battle of The Belts, due to a medical issue.
* Adam Cole vs. Jake Atlas
* Hook vs. Aaron Solow
* Riho and Ruby Soho vs. Jamie Hayter and AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker
* Eddie Kingston, Santana and Ortiz vs. Daniel Garcia and 2point0 in a No DQ, No Rules, No Holds Barred match
