MLW Restart Date Revealed

In the above video, it was revealed that the date for MLW Restart is Wednesday, November 18.

Major League Wrestling also announced earlier that they and beIn SPORTS renewed their relationship. It was reported earlier this week in a article published by Forbes that MLW had re-signed with beIN Sports.

The broadcast partnership agreement includes broadcast rights for the weekly series, MLW: FUSION, which airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET.

Several MLW stars reacted on social media about the upcoming restart.

Davey Boy Smith JR tweeted, “https://youtu.be/1gTc2BUtH_Q We Are Back! Wednesday November 18 is the #RESTART Activity is expected. Tune in”

Salina de la Renta wrote, “For those of you who keep asking when is #TheRestart of @MLW fusion. It’s the 18th of November idiots!”

Alicia Atout tweeted a photo with the caption, “IT’S OFFICIAL. NOVEMBER 18TH. WE’RE BACK SUCKAAAAS!”

Alexander Hammerstone wrote, “LADIES AND GENTLEMAN WE HAVE A DATE! November 18th @MLW is back in business! Your Boy Hammer is ready to beat some Contra a–.”

Below you can see their tweets as well as a few others:

https://twitter.com/DBSmithjr/status/1321973806810992641
https://twitter.com/salinadelarenta/status/1321972585710669826
https://twitter.com/alexhammerstone/status/1321973364785733632
https://twitter.com/AliciaAtout/status/1321974573718556673
https://twitter.com/MarshallVonEric/status/1321980363418132480
https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1321976479824158728

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Signs “Groundbreaking New Deal” With Netflix For Vince McMahon Documentary

WWE has confirmed that a new film on WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is in the works.

Nick Khan, WWE’s new President & Chief Revenue Officer, noted during today’s Q3 2020 earnings call that WWE has signed a “groundbreaking new deal” with Netflix. WWE is selling the multi-part documentary that will cover Vince’s life.

The deal is groundbreaking because it is one of the highest-budgeted documentaries in Netflix history, according to Khan.

There’s no word yet on the documentary title or release date. Khan noted that Bill Simmons will executive produce the project, while Chris Smith, who directed Netflix’s Fyre Fest documentary, will produce along with WWE Studios.

This Vince documentary is not the same biopic that was first revealed back in 2017. That project was apparently nixed. Titled “Pandemonium,” the movie was expected to star Bradley Cooper as Vince. Tristar Pictures was to release the movie. The original plan was to film the movie in the spring of 2018, but that depended on several factors. The “Pandemonium” script was written by Craig A. Williams back in 2015, but it underwent several changes after WWE Studios got involved. John Requa and Glenn Ficarra were set to direct the movie, while Zaftig Films’ Charlie Gogolak was to serve as executive producer. Aperture Entertainment’s Adam Goldworn was to produce the movie, along with WWE Studios. The latest update on Pandemonium came in January 2019 when it was reported that a new draft of the movie had been completed and sent to WWE executives, including McMahon, for feedback. There was still no confirmation on Cooper accepting the role, but he had been waiting for an updated version of the script in 2018, and then was planning to make his decision. That January 2019 update stated that while the filming date of spring 2018 had passed, the project was still being actively worked on. It looks like “Pandemonium” is no more.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 10/28/20

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode airs on TNT from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

* Inner Circle Town Hall Meeting to decide if MJF joins the group

* Eddie Kingston vs. Matt Sydal

* Cody (c) vs. Orange Cassidy (Lumberjack Match for the AEW TNT Championship)

* Wardlow vs. Hangman Page (World Title Eliminator Tournament Semis)

* Kenny Omega vs. Penta El Zero M (World Title Eliminator Tournament Semis) – Penta replaces his brother Rey Fenix due to a neck injury he suffered during last weeks Dynamite

* Excalibur interviews AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR and The Young Bucks

* Serena Deeb (c) vs. Leyla Hirsch (NWA Women’s World Championship)

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc Preview 10/28/20

The special Halloween Havoc edition of WWE NXT will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, FL. The show will air until 10:08pm with an 8 minute overrun.

Tonight’s show will be hosted by Shotzi Blackheart, and will be headlined by the return of the “Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal” gimmick in two title matches.

Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal: NXT North American Title Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest (c)

Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal: NXT Women’s Title Match
Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai (c)

Haunted House of Terror Match
Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis

Non-Title Match
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar vs. Jake Atlas

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez

* Pat McAfee appears with NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

* Halloween costume contest between announcers Wade Barrett and Vic Joseph

Host: Shotzi Blackheart

MLW Re-Signs With BeIN Sports Network

Major League Wrestling is staying on beIN Sports.

Forbes published an article saying MLW has re-signed with beIN Sports and will continue to air their flagship show, MLW: FUSION, on the network. The two have worked together since March of 2018, and FUSION has quickly emerged as one of beIN Sports’s hottest programs.

MLW CEO and founder Court Bauer spoke on the extension, saying both him and the league are thrilled to continue working with the network.

“We are excited to continue to be a cornerstone of beIN Sports’ portfolio of world-class sports content,” Bauer said. “beIN’s dual language reach will help further entrench MLW as a thriving sports league.”

The beIN extension is just the first of many anticipated deals for MLW, according to Bauer. The wrestling league is also reportedly in talks with other major cable networks about new programming, a strategy Bauer notes has been successful for other combat sports promotions like the UFC and WWE. While another cable deal may be in MLW’s future, Bauer also notes that they plan to expand into the streaming world as well.

“MLW is focused on its value in this space as well as in the nonlinear streaming realm,” Bauer said. “This deal and other on-going conversations reflects our goal to be a versatile sports league that is plug and play for our partners on cable and streaming.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Performance Center Experiences Another COVID-19 Outbreak

There was reportedly another COVID-19 outbreak recently at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the outbreak happened on Friday and people who were at the facility, whether they tested positive or negative, were asked to quarantine for two weeks due to contact tracing

Meltzer’s report did not name any specific talents or personnel who were placed under quarantine. However, he reported that the outbreak included people scheduled for this Wednesday’s special episode of NXT Halloween Havoc. As a result, “aspects of the show are going to have to be changed,” he added.

The report also noted that none of the regular fixtures on NXT television have tested positive.

WWE has yet to respond to reports of the latest outbreak.

As of this writing, a total of 100 fans were scheduled to attend the tapings at the Capitol Wrestling Center. They were scheduled to be tested for COVID-19 in Winter Park, FL, Tuesday night and were to be allowed to attend the tapings only if they cleared the test. This has been the weekly procedure since NXT allowed fans back on the shows recently.

The special Halloween Havoc edition of WWE NXT is scheduled to have an eight minute overrun on the USA Network.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tracy Smothers Passes Away At Age 58

Pro wrestling veteran Tracy Smothers has passed away at the age of 58.

Smothers announced in November 2019 that he was battling lymphoma. The Eat Sleep Wrestling website noted on Monday that they talked to Smothers via phone call and it looked like his first bout with cancer was going to be “a squash match” compared to this second round. The update from Monday also noted that Smothers suffered heart damage from the heavy chemotherapy in his first battle with cancer, which led to Smothers being hospitalized a few times. Smothers underwent surgery for a hernia just 11 days ago.

“Tracy’s ready to fight this cancer as hard as he did last fall, but the heart problems have delayed the cancer treatments and the hernia issue has delayed doctors from treating the heart issues. He’s in a real battle. Tracy is in it to win it, and he sends his love to all his friends and his wrestling family, and he is asking for prayers,” ESW wrote on Monday.

A GoFundMe had been launched at this link to help with Smothers’ medical expenses, and an indie event was planned for this weekend in Bartonville, IL to help raise more money. Smothers also asked ESW to plug his book, which you can find here.

Smothers began his pro wrestling career back in 1982 and wrestled for numerous promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW, SMW, TNA and Memphis Wrestling, among others. He held the ECW World Tag Team Titles once with Little Guido, and held the WCW United States Tag Team Titles once with Steve Armstrong.

In an update, Timothy Denison noted on Facebook that Smothers passed away this morning at around 4:24am, due to his fight against cancer.

Funeral arrangements and a “Celebration of Life” will be announced in the near future for Smothers’ family, friends and fans. Denison noted that Smothers is survived by his mother, sister, two brothers, two sons, and his girlfriend.

Several promotions, wrestlers and WWE Hall of Famers are paying tribute to Smothers on social media today.

Tracy Smothers passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58.

A native of Springfield, Tennessee, Smothers teamed with Steve Armstrong, as his career began in Florida Championship Wrestling. The duo competed in WCW as The Southern Boys and The Young Pistols and were engaged in a long rivalry with The Fabulous Freebirds tandem of Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.

After another stint on the independent wrestling circuit, Smothers began wrestling in WWE as Freddie Joe Floyd. Smothers shared the ring with icons such as Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin during his time with WWE. Later, the wrestling veteran had a memorable run with ECW.

WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 10/27/20

Tonight on a all-new IMPACT! 9/8c on AXS TV and Twitch.

* Fallout from Bound For Glory

* Wedding of Rosemary and John E. Bravo

* Hardcore Halloween Match: Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Myers

WWE RAW Preview 10/26/20

Tonight’s RAW episode will take place from the WWE ThunderDome in the Amway Center in Orlando, FL with fallout from WWE Hell In a Cell.

WWE has not announced any matches for tonight’s show, but it’s expected that new WWE Champion Randy Orton will be appearing to celebrate his win over Drew McIntyre at Hell In a Cell. The Miz is teasing that he may cash in his Money In the Bank briefcase tonight, which he won from Otis at Hell In a Cell.

The Braun Strowman vs. Keith Lee feud is also expected to continue tonight, plus the latest with RAW Women’s Champion Asuka, RETRIBUTION, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss, and more.

WWE Reportedly Moving The ThunderDome To A New Venue In December

WWE is reportedly scheduled to leave the ThunderDome at the Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, November 24, but they are taking the unique viewing experience with them.

It was reported today by @Wrestlevotes that WWE discussed possibly running venues in North Carolina, Illinois and Texas over the weekend.

There is no word yet on which venues are being considered, but WWE needs to find an arena where no sports teams are playing, and one that can accommodate the weight and power requirements of the ThunderDome setup. A newer arena is preferred because the weight of the ThunderDome setup reportedly will not work with older buildings. A major travel hub city is also needed because the WWE crews will be flying in and out each week.

WWE is leaving the Amway Center due to the NBA starting back up in December. The Orlando Magic uses the Amway Center as their home arena. Also, the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL are scheduled to start back up in mid-December at the Amway Center.

Florida news reporter Jon Alba revealed on Twitter that WWE’s contract with the Amway Center says they will be finished on Tuesday, November 24. You can see his tweet on the contract below.

If WWE is leaving the Amway Center on November 24, it looks like the November 23 RAW episode could be the final show to take place in that venue. This will be the post-Survivor Series edition of RAW.

WWE’s original contract with the Amway Center was set to expire at the end of October, but it was recently extended for one more month, taking them through November and the Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 22.

Source: Wrestling Inc.