MLW Fusion Preview 5/2/20, MLW To Stream AAA Lucha Fighter On Facebook This Saturday

The fourth stage of the historic MLW AAA Super Series arrives as over 4,500 fans in Tijuana, Mexico witness an interpromotional title match.

The best trios unit in all of Lucha Libre arrive just in time to assist AAA in their efforts to rally back in the Super Series. Myzteziz Jr., Hijo del Vikingo and Octagon Jr. — collectively known as Jinetes Del Aire make their FUSION debut.

AAA’s world class high-fliers will defend AAA’s most storied and prestigious belts: the AAA World Trios titles in an interpromotional clash as they face MLW’s Injustice.

For months Jordan Oliver, Kotto Brazil, and MLW World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed have decried MLW, the sport, its athletes and fans for not respecting them or putting them on a platform for greater success.

After being fined and suspended for their curb stomping of Brian Pillman Jr, the trio were fined and suspended by MLW, but after goading AAA Co-founder Konnan, the trio were not only reinstated into the league, but given a shot at the AAA World Trios Champions, Jinetes Del Aire.

Will Injustice shine against three of Lucha Libre’s best or will the Jinetes get the jump on Injustice and get one step closer to tying this historic interpromotional showdown?

With rumors rampant of Davey Boy Smith signing the dotted line for a World Title Fight, MLW has an exclusive update as the 3rd generation powerhouse puts CONTRA and the undefeated champ Jacob Fatu in his crosshairs.

The Dynasty invite you to join them in the Caribbean as the self-proclaimed Caribbean Heavyweight Champion Richard Holliday goes on a shopping spree.

Also! One week before Los Parks represent MLW in the Super Series, we return to La Cocina de LA Park as the patriarch of lucha shows his skills in the kitchen match his skills in the ring.

Join Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch and Alicia Atout from Tijuana for a night of top ranked action.

Matches:

  • AAA World Trios Titles Jinetes Del Aire vs. Injustice
  • Poder Del Norte vs. Black Destiny, Fantastick, Rayo Star
  • Plus more!

 

MLW to stream AAA Lucha Fighter on Facebook this Saturday

Major League Wrestling (“MLW”) today announced that the league’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/majorleaguewrestling will stream AAA’s live LUCHA FIGHTER series this Saturday night at 9pm ET.

MLW continues its collaboration with Mexico’s grandest Lucha Libre organization, AAA, as AAA presents the live Lucha Fighter quarterfinals event for free.

Lucha Fighter is a unique limited series emanating from Mexico each Saturday night with the mystery matches revealed at the beginning of the broadcast.

“In these challenging times we are happy to share new and free content with our fans,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “What better way to spend your Saturday night than enjoying the stage 4 of the MLW AAA Super Series on beIN SPORTS or MLW’s YouTube channel and then watching more AAA lucha from Mexico City on MLW’s Facebook page?”

Earlier this year MLW revealed a renewed collaboration with AAA Lucha Libre. Since then, several AAA luchadores have journeyed to MLW events en route to the AAA vs. MLW Super Series in early March in Tijuana.

Both organizations look forward to revealing undisclosed new projects on the horizon in the coming months.

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/1/20

Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX will air on a tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The episode was reportedly taped earlier this week.

Fans To Be Allowed At WWE And AEW Events In Florida This Month?

WWE and AEW could be able to allow fans at their live events in the state of Florida as early as next week, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Florida Governor DeSantis and his “Re-Open Florida Task Force” have issued a three-phased plan to re-open the state, according to WPLG Local 10. Phase 1 begins on Monday for much of Florida, with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The plan for Phase 1 states that people are encouraged to not gather in groups larger than 10 and employers should continue teleworking and screening employees for symptoms of COVID-19 if they have to report to work. Also, it states that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with underlying health issues, should stay at home during Phase 1. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs are being allowed to operate at 50% of the building capacity. Gyms and fitness centers will be allowed to operate at up to 50% of its building’s capacity. While theme parks will remain closed, the report states the following, which could include WWE and AEW:

“Large spectator sporting events should use strict social distancing guidelines and limit occupancy of venues to 25 percent of building capacity.”

This could indicate that the task force will allow WWE to limit occupancy of the Performance Center to 25% of capacity, and AEW to limit occupancy of Daily’s Place to 25% of capacity. It has not been confirmed that there will be fans allowed at the next round of events. AEW is scheduled to return to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville beginning next Wednesday, while WWE is scheduled to return to the Performance Center in Orlando on Monday, May 11.

Phase 2 will begin “after the successful conclusion of Phase 1” but no date was given. There was no mention of sporting events, according to WPLG Local 10, but these parks may consider re-opening with capacity limits, strict social distancing and proper measures to clean & disinfect under Phase 2. Bars and nightclubs will stay at the 50% of capacity, but restaurants, gyms and fitness centers are being allowed up to 75% under the second phase.

Phase 3 will ease a few more of the restrictions, but the report on plans for the third phase doesn’t include many details. Personal service businesses, such as salons and barbers, are being allowed to operate under full capacity under Phase 3, but there are strict guidelines to follow. You can read the full report on the three-phase plan here.

It will be interesting to see if this allows WWE and AEW to have at least some fans at their upcoming events, and if they take advantage of that.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Sami Zayn Reportedly Away From WWE TV Due To Concerns Over The Coronavirus Pandemic

WWE Intercontinental Continental Champion Sami Zayn has reportedly been away from WWE TV due to his own concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Zayn did not appear during last week’s SmackDown on FOX episode with Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro because he made the choice not to travel to the closed-set WWE Performance Center in Orlando, according to a new report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While there’s no word yet on what WWE had planned for Zayn last Friday, he was originally scripted into the show until he made the decision not to come.

As we’ve noted, WWE and AEW officials have informed employees that they do not have to work during the COVID-19 outbreak, and that the decision would not be held against them in the future. Zayn apparently took advantage of that option as other wrestlers have, such as Roman Reigns.

Zayn has not appeared on WWE TV since Night One of WrestleMania 36, which was taped a few nights before it aired. That show saw Zayn retain his title over Daniel Bryan. Zayn hasn’t appeared on SmackDown TV since the April 3 episode, which was the WrestleMania go-home show. Cesaro and Nakamura have been appearing each week since then, working their own angles and matches without Zayn.

You can click here for Sami’s April 20 tweet on having his wisdom teeth taken out and why he has been looking “ripped to shreds.”

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter via Wrestling Inc.

WWE Files To Oppose Trademark Filings By The Revival

WWE is filing to oppose some of the trademarks registered by The Revolt’s Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, formerly known as Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival.

The Revolt filed to trademark “No Flips, Just Fists” back on Tuesday, February 18 of this year, for merchandise and general pro wrestling/entertainment use. WWE filed to oppose the trademarks earlier today, just two days after the name was eligible for opposition.

WWE previously filed to trademark “No Flips Just Fists” on Monday, February 24. That is the same as The Revolt’s term filed for on February 18, just without the comma.

WWE was granted the standard 90-day extension to prepare their opposition. They now have until Wednesday, August 26 to file that opposition.

WWE filed to be the opposer for another name that The Revolt filed to trademark back on Tuesday, January 7 – “#FTRKO” for merchandise use. WWE filed to oppose that trademark today, just two days after it was published for opposition. They were granted the 90-day extension, and have until August 26 to file that opposition to “#FTRKO” as well.

Finally, WWE filed to oppose the trademark for “Say Yeah” today. The Revolt filed to trademark that name back on Tuesday, February 18, for merchandise and general wrestling/entertainment use. WWE filed to oppose that name today, also just two days after it was filed for opposition. Like the other two trademark filings, they were granted the standard 90-day extension to file that opposition, and have until August 26.

You can click here for Wrestling Inc’s recent report on WWE filing to oppose recent trademark filings by AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

ROH Cancels All June Events, Including “Best In The World” Pay-Per-View

Ring of Honor has announced all of their events in June have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including their “Best in the World” pay-per-view.

The company posted a statement on their website which explains:

Maintaining the commitment to making the health and safety of our fans and personnel the top priority during the COVID-19 crisis, Ring of Honor has cancelled all live events that had been scheduled for June.

The cancelled shows include live events in Dallas (June 5 at Gilley’s Dallas) and San Antonio (June 6 at The Aztec Theatre) in addition to the Best in the World pay-per-view in Baltimore (June 19 at UMBC Event Center).

Ticket-holders for the Dallas event will receive a refund via the credit card they made the purchase with. Anyone who purchased a ticket to the San Antonio or Baltimore events through Ticketmaster with a credit card will receive an automatic refund. Those who purchased a ticket with cash directly from the Aztec Theatre in San Antonio or UMBC Event Center box office in Baltimore will need to contact the venues about a refund.

Ring of Honor appreciates your understanding through these difficult times as everyone does their part in helping stop the spread of the virus. ROH will continue to provide timely updates related to live touring plans going forward.

The entire ROH staff, talent and partners remain committed to providing daily and weekly content on all platforms. Please stay tuned to all ROH digital channels and ROHWrestling.com to keep up with the “Best Professional Wrestling on the Planet.”

NXT Announcers Recording From Home To Limit Travel During Pandemic

Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix began recording their portion of NXT shows from home this week as an additional precautionary measure during the pandemic.

Sources confirms WWE’s production team put together a way for Ranallo and Phoenix to record from home in an effort to keep them as integral parts of the show on commentary while limiting the amount of travel they’d need to do for the time being.

We’re told this was able to be done with the NXT announcers because they appear on-screen less than the Raw and SmackDown commentary teams, which is why Tom Phillips joined them at the virtual announce desk from the taping.

The news of the duo recording from home was first reported on Wrestling Observer Radio.

WWE recently made the decision to adjust their filming schedule and pre-film shows in batches to increase the safety of everyone taking part in the tapings. This is also being done to help “flatten the curve” as much as possible while still producing shows.

During a recent conference call with WWE investors, it was additionally noted that there is extreme cleaning going on between each match and many medical precautionary measures being taken to ensure no one is entering the Performance Center sick during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WWE’s next round of tapings is set to begin on May 11.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

nxt announcers wwe beth phoenix mauro ranallo record show from home coronavirus pandemic

Curtis Axel Released By WWE

WWE announced Curtis Axel has been released from the company.

The company posted a statement on WWE.com which reads as follows:

WWE has come to terms on the release of Curtis Axel.

We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Axel, the son of “Mr. Perfect” aka Curt Hennig, signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2007. Hennig took part in the second season of NXT as Michael McGillicutty, then was part of Nexus. The wrestler got repackaged in 2013 as Curtis Axel on RAW to pay homage to his father and grandfather, Larry ‘The Axe’ Hennig, with Paul Heyman as his manager. That eventually ended though.

Axel was additionally part of the Social Outcasts and most recently the B-Team with Bo Dallas.

The 40-year-old wrestler is a one-time Intercontinental champion and two-time tag champ.

As we previously reported, WWE is cutting talent in an effort save money due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company.

 

AEW Dynamite Preview 4/29/20

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode airs on TNT and was taped in Norcross, Georgia.

* Cody Rhodes vs. Darby Allin (TNT Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match)

* Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer (TNT Championship Tournament Semi-Final Match)

* Brodie Lee vs. Marko Stunt

* Best Friends vs. Kip Sabian and Jimmy Havoc (No DQ/No Count-Out Match)

* AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will speak

WWE NXT Preview 4/29/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode will air on the USA Network from the closed-set Performance Center in Orlando, FL.

It’s believed that tonight’s show will air on a slight tape delay as WWE is taping two episodes of NXT today, one for this week and one for next Wednesday.

* Keith Lee defends the NXT North American Title against Damian Priest

* The Queen goes one-on-one with Mia Yim