AJ Styles Admits Luke Gallows And Karl Anderson Being Released By WWE Still Bothers Him

On a recent After The Bell podcast, Corey Graves asked AJ Styles about his return to SmackDown after being traded to the brand. Styles said he needed a change of scenery after the releases of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

“I mean it’s different for me. This is moving to FOX,” Styles stated. “I think they’re doing a really good job. So I’m excited about that, to be working with those guys, and it’s just doing something different man. It’s good for me. I needed a change, and I don’t mean to harp on this, but losing Gallows and Anderson really hurt me. So getting away from RAW helps me get over it. I don’t know that I’ll get over it, but it helps change the atmosphere around me, to do something different because my whole time on RAW was with them. So getting away from that and getting to SmackDown, where I’ve had a lot of success, it’s a good thing.”

Styles talked about his frustration over not doing more for Gallows and Anderson. He said that he was like an older brother to them and feels that he let them down.

“Looking back, I was the one that kind of brought their names to come to WWE and everything,” Styles reflected. “So when they got released, I immediately feel responsible for them because I helped them get here, and I wanted them to stay. I feel like if I had encouraged them to stay, maybe they would be fine right now. So a lot of that fell on me, and it and it destroyed me.

“I feel like I let them down, and I talked to them about this. I talked about it on the Mixer channel on the day after it was done. I was just crushed. I’m the oldest in this group, and they’re my little brothers. I didn’t take care of them, and that really bothered me. It really really bothers me. It still does.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to After The Bell 

MLW Debuts New Weekly “Pulp FUSION” Series (Video)

Major League Wrestling has debuted their new weekly digital short series – Pulp FUSION.

The new weekly series will take fans inside the world of MLW and its athletes, to experience the continuation of rivalries. It will also introduce new and familiar faces, and give an idea of what’s next for the promotion.

“Pulp Fusion serves as the creative tissue that connects what happened to the league and its athletes in the wake of the shocking conclusion of the May 9th episode of MLW FUSION,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer in a press release sent to us. “Along the way fans will learn what’s ahead as they take a wildly unique dive into the world of MLW each and every week.”

MLW Pulp FUSION serves as a creative bridge and spinoff for their weekly FUSION series while it’s on a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new series is produced virtually with the MLW production team working with talent from afar.

Below is the official preview for the episode with video of the full episode:

Fresh off of signing new deals with MLW, the Dynasty create their goal list. But what’s up with Gino?Meanwhile back in Las Vegas, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor must prove he is a true leader as Dominic Garrini struggles in quarantine.

Following the Super Series attack by CONTRA, Konnan speaks his mind on the shocking events that has brought the league to its knees.

As Richard Holliday continues to call himself the real Caribbean Champion, Savio Vega checks in from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean legend is not happy.

Who is Injustice’s new member? World Middleweight Champ Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver of Injustice drop a hint.

WHO does LA Park want to fight?

Out in Hawaii the Von Erich boys put in some work on the farm while their father Kevin Von Erich provides some world class wisdom.

Plus: Mance Warner has some fighting words of his own! It’s time to experience Pulp FUSION!

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Samoa Joe Reportedly Considered To Be A Permanent Member Of The WWE RAW Announce Team

Samoa Joe has reportedly permanently replaced WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler on the RAW announce team.

Joe has not returned to the ring because he’s still waiting to be medically cleared to compete from the concussion he suffered during the RAW commercial shoot back in February. He was brought back to RAW commentary in late April, filling in for Lawler, and now the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Joe is considered to be Lawler’s permanent replacement on the red brand announce team.

There’s no word yet on what this means for when Joe is medically cleared for in-ring action, but the Observer noted that Joe may have a role where he announces and then they shoot angles for him to wrestle using the other role. Things could change down the road if WWE runs into depth issues with the RAW roster, or if they feel they need Joe as a full-time wrestler, but they could also have Joe work both roles.

It was originally believed that Joe was filling in for Lawler due to concerns over Lawler being at a higher risk to work TV tapings during the coronavirus pandemic. It remains to be seen if WWE will bring Lawler back to the announce table once regular tapings resume.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Vince McMahon On The XFL Surviving, 20 Potential Buyers Interested In The League

Wrestling Inc has noted earlier at this link, XFL boss Vince McMahon responded to recent claims that he was looking to buy back the league in new bankruptcy court filings. The commiittee of unsecured creditors to the XFL recently objected to the bankruptcy filing, claiming Vince was trying to rig the bankruptcy process as a way to buy back the league without fully paying back debtors. Vince dismissed the speculation and said he would not be a bidder for the league. The response filing from earlier this week labeled the recent claims by the creditors as “inflammatory rhetoric and unsubstantiated accusations.”

Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic has revealed Vince’s full comments from the recent deposition testimony.

“I don’t know why that’s out there, making me out to be the bad guy, (that) I’m going to buy the XFL back for pennies on the dollar, basically,” McMahon said. “That helped me move into the direction of I’m not going to be a bidder, not going to have anything to do with it. I do hope that someone will pay a lot of money for it, and I do hope that it will survive.”

While it looks like Vince won’t be a bidder, there are dozens of potential purchasers currently in “active discussions” with the XFL’s investment bank, Houlihan Lokey, according to the filing. The Athletic adds that most potential purchasers have indicated that the potential for an XFL season in the spring of 2021 is important to them.

“Based on preliminary feedback, there is a robust market for the Debtor’s assets, including a number of potentially interested private equity firms and other strategic and financial sponsors,” Vince’s recent filing said.

Houlihan managing partner William Hardie noted in a separate filing that the prospective buyers are looking to generate revenue and further establish the league in a “content-starved environment” in the spring of 2021, to avoid leaving space out to 2022 that would allow others to potentially act on the opportunity. Houlihan had distributed teasers to 235 potential purchasers as of May 25, and as of that date, 20 potential purchasers had executed non-disclosure agreements and gained access to a date room that contains extensive diligence materials on the league. As of that date, 6 more potential purchasers were in the process of executing non-disclosure agreements to gain access to the data room.

Furthermore, the XFL has crafted a scenario for a potential tournament that would begin in February 2021.

“In fact, I understand the Debtor has modeled for 2021 a made-for-TV, 12-week tournament-style approach to its business – since the XFL is particularly well suited for a crowd-free experience that could thrive in the current environment, given its existing innovations such as in-game audio from players and coaches and live on-screen sports wagering information,” wrote Hardie in his filing.

The committee of creditors wants the sales process to run through mid-September, instead of the early July time frame that was proposed by McMahon. In a concession, Vince agreed to extend the sales process through the first week of August. He warned that any more time would jeopardize a relaunch in 2021.

A Delaware bankruptcy court hearing was scheduled for Wednesday of this week, for the dispute between the league, and its parent company Alpha Entertainment, and the creditors.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

FTR Debut On AEW Dynamite In A Segment With The Young Bucks

Former WWE stars The Revival, now known as FTR, have finally made their debuts in AEW.

It all went down following The Young Bucks and Matt Hardy defeating Private Party and Joey Janela Wednesday night on Dynamite. Butcher and the Blade attacked the Bucks after the match was over, but then an old school truck pulled up to the building with Cash Wheeler and Dax Hardwood inside.

Instead of attacking the Bucks, however, the duo went after Butcher and Blade. After fending them off, FTR once again came face-to-face with Matt and Nick Jackson.

Butcher and Blade attempted to attack FTR from behind during the standoff, but the Bucks hit them with superkicks to knock them out of the ring.

FTR and The Young Bucks then had another standoff, but Cash and Dax left without saying anything.

Watch how the segment unfolded below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/27/20, Mike Tyson To Appear

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

* Britt Baker to announce return timetable after sustaining a knee injury on last week’s show

* More details to be given about AEW World Champion Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage at Fyter Fest

* Battle Royal to determine the first contender for the AEW TNT Championship

* Mike Tyson to appear live

* Inner Circle pep rally

* AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida in action

* Private Party and Joey Janela vs. The Young Bucks and Matt Hardy

WWE NXT Preview 5/27/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air on a slight tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

* Rhea Ripley will team with Io Shirai to face Charlotte Flair and a partner of her choice

* Kurt Angle to referee Cage Fight between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher

* Adam Cole to have live negotiation with William Regal regarding The Velveteen Dream

Deonna Purrazzo Heading To Impact Wrestling Following Release From WWE

Deonna Purrazzo didn’t waste time landing in a new promotion following her WWE release, as the former NXT wrestler was shown in a vignette this week on Impact.

The video begins with Purrazzo introducing herself as “The Virtuosa,” followed by her explaining what that means. No word at this time on if Deonna has signed a full-time deal with Impact.

As you’ll recall, the 25-year-old was released in April amidst cost cutting measures in WWE. She, as well as others in NXT like Taynari Conti and Cezar Boni, were quietly let go.

Watch the video shown on Impact below.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1265453684172996609

WWE Reportedly Preparing For Return Of Live Events

WWE officials are reportedly working on plans to resume regular live event touring.

It remains to be seen when WWE will be allowed to move forward with regular touring, but @Wrestlevotes reports that internally the company is slowly rebuilding their live event schedule.

It was noted that still nothing is expected to happen with fans attending events before July at least, but things are apparently happening behind-the-scenes so that the company will be ready when they are given permission to resume touring amid the coronavirus pandemic. There have been discussions about ticket sales for arena events moving forward, with social distancing guidelines remaining in place.

It will be interesting to see how the COVID-19 outbreak changes the WWE live event model when touring resumes. There was talk of keeping the new new Plexiglas “shields” and taller ringside barriers used at this week’s RAW and that being the new norm for WWE live events. WWE will obviously be faced with several tricky obstacles and factors to deal with due to the pandemic.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 5/26/20

The following is scheduled for tonight’s Impact on AXS TV:

* Impact World Tag Team Championship: The North (c) vs. Cody Deaner and ??

* #1 Contender’s Semi-Finals

Ace Austin vs. Hernandez

Trey vs. Michael Elgin