Impact Wrestling Preview 1/5/21

Impact Wrestling will return to its in-ring programming following their two-week holiday break at 8/7c on AXS TV and Twitch!. This will be their go-home show before their Impact Plus exclusive event Genesis, which will take place this Saturday at 8 PM EST.

* We’ll hear from the AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and the Impact World Tag Team Champions, The Good Brothers, ahead of their main event match with Rich Swann and the Motor City Machine Guns at Hard To Kill on Saturday, January 16.

* The last semi-final matchup of the Knockouts Tag Team Title Tournament between Jordynne Grace and Jazz versus Havok and Nevaeh.

* 3 Minute Challenge: Moose vs. Matthew Palmer

* Rhino and Cousin Jake vs. Eric Young and Joe Doering

* KC Navarro vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Blake Christian vs. Ace Austin

* Sami Callihan vs. Eddie Edwards

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 2 Results 1/5/21

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT AND INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kota Ibushi (c) defeated Jay White

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Hiromu Takahashi defeated Taiji Ishimori (c) to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

SANADA defeated EVIL

NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Shingo Takagi (c) defeated Jeff Cobb

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato

PROVISIONAL KOPW 2021 TROPHY
Toru Yano defeated Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale, and BUSHI

STARDOM MATCH (DARK MATCH)
Saya Kamitani, AZM, and Utami Hayashish*ta defeated Maika, Natsupoi, and Himeka

STARDOM MATCH (DARK MATCH)
Syuri and Giulia defeated Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano

Investment Group Purchases Majority Interest In OVW, Will Work With Al Snow On Expansion

A new ownership group has purchased a majority interest in the legendary Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion.

OVW announced today that Kentucky Sports Radio founder Matt Jones and former 21c Museum Hotels CEO Craig Greenberg have purchased the majority interest in the former WWE developmental territory, which has ran from Louisville, Kentucky since 1993. The ownership group also includes Dr. Jeffrey Tuvlin and Andrew “Hubby” Jefferson.

It was also announced that the legendary Al Snow will continue to run OVW’s daily operations, while expanding The Al Snow Wrestling Academy. Working with Snow, the new ownership group will work to position OVW for continued growth in live events, online and broadcast events, and expanding the school.

To celebrate the new investment, OVW will run a free online event this Saturday, January 9 at 7:30pm. The 2021 Nightmare Rumble will feature a 30-Man Rumble Match, and a title defense featuring OVW National Heavyweight Champion Jessie Godderz. The event will air free on OVWrestling.com, live from the Davis Arena in Louisville.

Stay tuned for more on the new OVW investment. Below is the full press release that was sent to us today:

Matt Jones and Craig Greenberg Purchase a Majority Interest in Ohio Valley Wrestling

Wrestling Legend, Al Snow, Will Continue to Run The Historic Wrestling Company

New Ownership Group Offers Free Online Event to Celebrate

LOUISVILLE – The New Year is bringing new ownership and momentum to one of the nation’s premier wrestling organizations. Today, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) announced that two prominent Kentucky leaders, Louisville’s Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones, will lead a group of investors who purchased a majority interest in the storied sports entertainment operation. The group plans to build on the rich legacy of Ohio Valley Wrestling and its Louisville-based training institute, grow the organization, promote and train the next generation of wrestling superstars, and bring exhilarating entertainment to wrestling fans locally and across the globe.

WWE legend Al Snow will continue to run Ohio Valley Wrestling day-to-day and focus on the continued success of the wrestling product. Working with Snow, Jones and Greenberg’s group will work to position OVW for continued growth in live sports entertainment, online and broadcast events, as well as expanding the Al Snow Wrestling Academy, the only state-accredited trade school for professional wrestling and sports entertainment in the world.

Matt Jones is the founder and host of Kentucky Sports Radio, the largest radio show and website in the State of Kentucky. Jones is a New York Times bestselling author and part-time host on ESPN Radio nationally. Craig Greenberg is the former CEO of the award-winning hotel company, 21c Museum Hotels. The investor group also includes Louisville’s Dr. Jeffrey Tuvlin and Lexington’s Andrew “Hubby” Jefferson. In addition to Al Snow, the other existing owners, Larry Benz, Chad Miller and Joe Reeves, will remain active and involved in the company.

“With a leadership team combining business expertise and enthusiasm for local sports, we believe Ohio Valley Wrestling is poised for even more growth and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this outstanding Louisville-based organization,” said Greenberg. “More importantly, during these challenging times, we understand that everyone could use some fun. As lifelong wrestling fans, Matt and I know OVW can play a huge role in delivering that.”

“Craig and I are excited about building OVW’s fan base and viewership, while showcasing the best wrestling in America,” said Jones. “With a legend like Al Snow running the wrestling and our massive KSR fan base joining in, we believe we can take OVW to the next level and create one of the world’s premier promotions right here in Kentucky. We’re thinking big. This is only the beginning.”

Since 1993, Ohio Valley Wrestling has been one of the premier training grounds for professional wrestling superstars. Some of the sport’s biggest stars learned the ropes in Louisville including John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, Bautista, CM Punk, The Miz and many more. OVW’s live shows have entertained generations of fans in Louisville and are shown every Tuesday live at 8pm on WBNA & 11am on Saturday, as well as digitally distributed to fans around the globe via YouTube, Roku, and many other platforms.

To celebrate the new ownership group’s investment, Ohio Valley Wrestling is offering a free online wrestling experience this Saturday, January 9th at 7:30pm — the 2021 Nightmare Rumble. This event includes a 30 Man Rumble and a Championship Match featuring Jesse Godderz, Mr. Pectacular! The live event, which will take place at Louisville’s Davis Arena, 4400 Shepherdsville Rd, will also be live streamed free of charge at http://www.ovwrestling.com.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Marty Scurll Parts Ways With Ring Of Honor

Marty Scurll has officially parted ways with Ring of Honor, according to a statement from the promotion.

Ring of Honor confirmed Scurll’s departure on social media.

“Marty Scurll and Ring of Honor have mutually decided to part ways,” the statement read.

https://twitter.com/ringofhonor/status/1346230018914082818

Scurll joined Ring of Honor in 2016, and was made head of the company’s booking committee last year.

Allegations were made against Scurll during the Speaking Out movement, and RoH’s parent company Sinclair Broadcasting announced that an internal investigation was underway.

Goldberg Issued Challenge To WWE Champion Drew McIntyre On RAW For Title Match At Royal Rumble

Goldberg has his sights set on the gold, and he made his intentions clear during a tense confrontation with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.

It all went down on this week’s edition of Raw immediately following the main event between Keith Lee and Drew McIntyre.

Monday night was a special one. It was “Legends Night” after all, and there were plenty of legends on the show, including Hulk Hogan, Mark Henry, Big Show, I.R.S., Mickie James, Torie Wilson and others. But there was one legend who waited until the closing moments of the show to make his presence known.

After McIntyre’s hard fought victory over a valiant Keith Lee, Goldberg claimed that McIntyre doesn’t have any respect for legends. He then demanded a title match with McIntyre at the upcoming Royal Rumble event. Drew’s response was less than enthusiastic.

“Fighting you would be like fighting my own dad,” the champ said … and then things got out of hand.

The WWE Hall of Famer shoved McIntyre to the ground. Drew got back on his feet and the pair squared off as the show went off the air.

Check out the tense confrontation below.

WWE RAW Preview 1/4/21 (Legends Night)

Tonight’s WWE RAW will be the special Legends Night edition of the show, featuring more build for the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

The following Hall of Famers and Legends are advertised for tonight’s special episode: Alicia Fox, Beth Phoenix, Big Show, Boogeyman, Booker T, Candice Michelle, Carlito, Eve Torres, Hillbilly Jim, Hulk Hogan, IRS (Irwin R. Schyster), Ivory, Jacqueline, Jeff Jarrett, Jimmy Hart, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry, Melina, Michael “PS” Hayes, Mickie James, Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter, Tatanka, Torrie Wilson.

NJPW Reportedly Close To English-Language TV Deal

NJPW is reportedly close to a new English-language television deal, according to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer.

Meltzer reports that the deal is close enough that an announcement could come at any time.

From 2014 to 2019, NJPW had a television deal with AXS TV. The deal ended when AXS TV was purchased by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of Impact Wrestling.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Night 1 Results 1/4/21

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT AND INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kota Ibushi def. Tetsuya Naito (c)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay w/Bea Priestley

Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Great-O-Khan

RIGHTS TO IWGP US CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
KENTA (holder) def. Satoshi Kojima

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Guerrillas of Destiny def. Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi (c)

Hiromu Takahashi def El Phantasmo
Winner gets IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match on Night 2.

22-Man New Japan Rambo
The final four opponents will face off in a special four-way match for the provisional KOPW 2021 Trophy on Night 2. Winners: Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale, BUSHI and Toru Yano

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 1/4/21 and 1/5/21

DATE: January 4, 2021 at 2:00 AM ET
LOCATION: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
AVAILABLE ON: NJPW World

CARD

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT AND INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi (c) vs. The Guerrillas of Destiny

RIGHTS TO IWGP US CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
KENTA (holder) vs. Satoshi Kojima

Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Great-O-Khan

Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Phantasmo
Winner gets IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match on Night 2.

DARK MATCH
22-Man New Japan Ranbo
Winner challenges for provisional KOPW 2021 Trophy on Night 2.

DATE: January 5, 2021 at 3:00 AM ET
LOCATION: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
AVAILABLE ON: NJPW World

CARD

IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT AND INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tetsuya Naito or Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Jay White

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Taiji Ishimori (c) vs.Hiromu Takahashi

IWGP JR. HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato

SANADA vs. EVIL

NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Jeff Cobb

PROVISIONAL KOPW 2021 TROPHY
Chase Owens vs. Bad Luck Fale vs. BUSHI vs. Toru Yano

STARDOM MATCH – DARK MATCH
Saya Kamitani, Azumi, and Utami Hayashis–ta vs. Maika, Natsupoi, and Himeka

STARDOM MATCH – DARK MATCH
Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano vs. Syuri and Giulia

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley Reveals He Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley revealed on Twitter Friday evening that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after participating in a virtual signing last month.

Foley noted in his video post he has been under quarantine for the last 18 days in a hotel room. 

Foley said in his video post that there were two men in the room with him. Both men wore masks.  However, Foley said he took his mask off to help with the signing.  He said that it was later that night one of the men experienced symptoms.  Foley went on to say that he waited the required five days before he went to get tested.

He said in his post that his symptoms include body aches, loss of smell, affected hearing, and being easily fatigued. He especially noted that the worst part of this is missing out on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with his family. 

He asked that everyone people take the coronavirus very seriously, to mask up, social distance and look out for one another. 

You can check out Foley’s entire Twitter video post below:

https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1345177069408321536

Source: WrestleView