Tony Khan Confirms The Name Of Their “WarGames” Themed Match At “AEW Dynamite: Blood And Guts”

AEW announced a special episode of Dynamite called “Blood & Guts” that will take place on March 25 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The show will feature two rings covered by a giant cage for a WarGames-like match.

At the AEW Revolution post-event press conference, Wrestling Inc. asked AEW President Tony Khan about the match and using the “WarGames” name, which is owned by WWE. Khan quickly pointed out that the match is not called WarGames.

“I have not used that term and will never use that term,” Khan said. “You’ll never see me using that expression.”

Khan confirmed to us that the match will be called “Blood & Guts.”

“The expression we’re using for this match is Blood & Guts,” Khan stated. “It’s everything to us, it’s a heart and soul struggle, but it’s also a metaphor for our company in that it’s both a serious thing in that it’s wrestling-centric, but we’re also having fun with it.”

Khan said that “it’s a blood and guts match”, and it’s “going to be awesome.”

“Blood & guts” is a play on a phrase Vince McMahon used when referring to AEW during an earnings call last year. When asked about WWE having more competition, McMahon said that he hopes that AEW doesn’t continue “the blood and guts and gory things that they have been doing.”

You can listen to Khan’s comments about the “Blood & Guts” episode below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Concern In Japan Over WWE Expansion Plans, WWE Talking With Legendary Promotion For WWE NXT Japan

WWE and All Japan Pro Wrestling are in talks about a possible partnership, according to Wrestling Observer Radio.

It was noted that WWE is “making moves” in Japan and while nothing is official, they are focused on getting the WWE NXT Japan brand going. The goal is to launch the brand this year, but there’s no word yet on how close they are. WWE has had talks with a number of Japanese pro wrestling companies about teaming up, including Pro Wrestling NOAH before they were bought earlier this year, and they have tried to purchase at least one Japanese company. It’s said to be inevitable that WWE will have the NXT Japan brand and the WWE Japan Performance Center, it’s just a matter of working everything out.

There’s also reportedly concern in the country over how WWE might disrupt the Japanese pro wrestling industry, according to the report. This concern is based on how WWE launched the NXT UK brand and changed the pro wrestling landscape in the UK and Europe. It was reported earlier this year that WWE had reached out to WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki, as well as Japanese politician & former pro wrestler Hiroshi Hase, about the political situation surrounding the planned WWE Japan Performance Center.

Legendary Japanese star Jun Akiyama will be guest coaching at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando from Tuesday, May 12 through Friday, May 22. This PC stint for Akiyama is part of the talks with AJPW. Triple H and Akiyama have had talks about bringing him in since last summer.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Chris Jericho To Narrate “Dark Side Of The Ring” Season 2, Details & Trailer Released

Vice officially announced today that their popular pro wrestling series “Dark Side of the Ring” will premiere on Tuesday, March 24 at 9pm ET on the network.

You can see the new season two trailer below.

The two-hour season premiere will focus on the Chris Benoit tragedy, featuring interviews with Benoit’s family and friends, including his other son David Benoit, and Nancy Benoit’s sister, Sandra Toffoloni.

The show, which was Vice TV’s most-watched show in history during the first season, will air each Tuesday night at 10pm ET. AEW star Chris Jericho will be the narrator. There will be a new show premiering each week at 11pm ET after “Dark Side of the Ring” with Chris Gethard hosting a rotating panel of guests from the worlds of pro wrestling and entertainment.

“The first season of ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ was a massive hit,” said Morgan Hertzan, executive vice president and general manager of Vice Television, in a press release. “These powerful stories transcend wrestling fandom and resonate with both fans of the sport and newcomers who were captivated by this incredible storytelling. We rise to the challenge and do not shy away from the truth. I am proud and excited to continue telling these courageous stories in season two.”

“As lifelong fans, we have always been fascinated by the behind-the-scenes, human stories of the world of professional wrestling,” said executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener. “For our second season we’re going even deeper into its secretive past. Many wrestlers and family members we interviewed have never spoken out before. Our series seeks to help bring closure to their stories.”

The following topics were confirmed for season two:

* The Benoit tragedy

* The murder of Dino Bravo

* Brawl For All leading to career-ending injuries

* The career of New Jack

* David Schultz’s run-in with a 20/20 reporter

* The death of Nancy Argentino

* The story of WWE Hall of Famers The Road Warriors

* Herb Abrams’ attempt to build a wrestling empire

* Owen Hart’s death

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Lita, Gail Kim And Christy Hemme Launch Kickstarter For Dramatic Wrestling Pilot

Lita, Gail Kim and Christy Hemme have launched a Kickstarter to raise money to produce a pilot for a new show inspired by true events which blends scripted drama with pro wrestling.

In a video announcement on the page, the three wrestling stars explain the series is “about women, made by women” and will give them a chance to tell their stories.

“But this is still truly a wrestling show with some of the best talent in the world,” Hemme added while noting the show would feature in-ring action.

The press release further explains:

Part TV drama, part wrestling promotion, the show will effectively demolish the fourth wall between characters and audience for a viewing experience that wrestling fans have never seen before. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, KAYFABE is a dramatization and collection of female stories inspired by real life events.

“I think KAYFABE is a great feminist story about a group of empowered women who have—in the most literal sense you could imagine—taken control of their own narratives,” said Hemme, a fan favorite who wrestled for both Impact Wrestling and WWE.

Named after the wrestling craft term that refers to the strict manner in which performers were once forbidden from breaking character or sharing industry secrets, KAYFABE is the perfect name for the new show, which will be taking that term and turning it on its head.

“All the stories we’ll be presenting in this show are something that, in one way or another, happened in real life,” said Kim, a one-time WWE Diva and recent inductee to the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The producers—who all enjoyed storied careers in professional wrestling and each command a sizable and fervent following—have taken to Kickstarter to fund the creation of a pilot in an attempt to bring their vision to life without compromise. In addition to their on-screen careers, all three also share extensive backgrounds behind the camera – Kim being the first female wrestling agent in Impact Wrestling, Hemme becoming the first female talent to join the Impact creative team as director of the women’s division and Dumas, as the first female to become a producer for WWE.

Additional wrestling-related talent working on the show include:

  • Jimmy Jacobs
  • Former WWE writer Tom Casiello
  • Stunt coordinator Chavo Guerrero
  • David Sahadi, who worked in WWE and Impact
  •  Impact star Alisha Edwards

The project is looking to raise $400,000 by April 7 to get the pilot funded.

Watch the teaser for KAYFABE by CLICKING HERE.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE RAW Preview 3/2/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the final RAW before this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view as the Road to WrestleMania 36 continues.

* WWE Champion Brock Lesnar is also scheduled for tonight’s show.

* WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix will also appear to give a medical update on her husband, WWE Hall of Famer Edge.

* Seth Rollins & Murphy put Raw Tag Team Titles on the line against The Street Profits

* Mysterio and Andrade make Raw returns for highly-anticipated tag team match

* O.C. sneak attack leads to Black vs. Styles on Raw

* Shayna Baszler and Asuka collide six nights ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber

* Riddick Moss to defend the 24/7 Title this Monday night on Raw

Chris Benoit Tragedy, Owen Hart Tragedy And Other Topics Confirmed For Second Season Of Vice’s “Dark Side Of The Ring”

The second season of Viceland’s “Dark Side of the Ring” docuseries on pro wrestling is scheduled to premiere on the cable network in late March, according to PWInsider.

The ten-episode season will focus on nine topics with one being covered across a two-part special, which is likely the Chris Benoit tragedy.

The Owen Hart tragedy will also be covered.

The following topics have been confirmed for season two:

* The Benoit tragedy

* Brawl For All

* New Jack

* Dino Bravo

* The Owen Hart tragedy

* Herb Abrams

The first season of the docuseries focused on the Von Erich family, the Montreal Screwjob, WWE Hall of Famer Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, and others. Viceland renewed the series for a second season in July 2019.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Matt Hardy Reveals His WWE Contract Status

Matt Hardy has revealed that he will let his contract with WWE expire and he’s going to become a free agent. Hardy announced the news on his YouTube show, Thoughts From The Throne.

“This is what happened as of this current time, I have decided to let my contract with WWE expire,” Hardy revealed. “I am going to become a free agent and that’s not saying I’m not ever going to return to WWE.”

Matt Hardy also revealed that the reason he’s becoming a free agent because he and WWE are on different pages creatively.

“It’s just time for me to take a break and become a free agent,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave WWE because it is my home. The reason I needed to leave WWE is because when it comes to my creative stance and my outlook on myself and my career and how I wanted to go for these last three or four years that I have left to spend as an active in-ring competitor I just think myself and WWE are on different pages.”

AEW Revolution Results 2/29/20

Dark Order (Evil Uno and Grayson) vs. SCU (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky) –

Winners: Dark Order

Post-match, the minions show up and attack. Suddenly, Colt Cabana’s music hits and out rolls Cabana to make the save for SCU. Cabana and Grayson swing away on each other. The rest of the Dark Order get involved though and stomp away on Cabana. Music starts playing and a hooded figure comes out, it’s Christopher Daniels! He runs right at Uno though and takes him out. The rest of SCU and Cabana clear out the Dark Order. Daniels celebrates with his SCU guys.

 

Dustin Rhodes vs. Jake Hager –

Winner: Jake Hager via Submission

 

Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara –

Winner: Darby Allin 

 

AEW World Tag Team Championship: Kenny Omega and Hangman Page (c) vs. The Young Bucks –

Winners: Kenny Omega and Hangman Page

 

AEW Women’s World Championship: Nyla Rose (c) vs. Kris Statlander –

Winner: Nyla Rose

 

Cody w/Brandi Rhodes and Arn Anderson vs. MJF w/Wardlow –

Winner: MJF

 

PAC vs. Orange Cassidy w/Best Friends –

Winner: PAC via Submission

 

https://twitter.com/ChandranTheMan/status/1233965678563971072

https://twitter.com/RingPsychPC/status/1233965454625886209

AEW World Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Jon Moxley –

Winner and new AEW World Champion: Jon Moxley

Post-match, Moxley says it’s been a long road this past year. Says the fans are the energy that fuels AEW. He says they’re bringing pro wrestling back to the people. He says the title doesn’t belong to him, it belongs to the fans.

MLW Fusion Preview 2/29/20

Two forces notorious for chaos will collide as Los Parks return to MLW for the first time since the shocking ending to Saturday Night SuperFight as they clash with their bitter rivals CONTRA Unit on MLW FUSION.

With four fearless and dangerous competitors colliding, the league will reinforce the ringside perimeter with lumberjacks to contain the guaranteed bedlam that will detonate at the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

In the first-ever lumberjack match in MLW history, Los Parks and CONTRA Unit will have to not only battle each other but manage designated wrestlers ringside, who will surround the ring in the classic lumberjack match fashion.

Tasked with containing the carnage, the lumberjacks could be tempted to unleash a beating to ensure the four loathed competitors keep the action from spilling out on to the streets of South Philadelphia.

The Destroyer and his son vow a vicious receipt for SuperFight.

Standing in their way is a force known for strategic violence and unrelenting attacks.

Will Los Parks make a triumphant return or will the black flag of CONTRA wave victorious over the iconic masks of Los Parks?

After the Dynasty viciously attacked his Uncle Moonman, AJ Kirsch will speak with the “Southern Psychopath” Mance Warner. What will the Bucksnort Brawler have to say about the elitists known as the Dynasty?

Also, one week after inciting a riot in Dallas, Team Filthy speaks to Alicia Atout!

25 years after debuting in the 2300 Arena, Konnan is back and he has some truth bombs for “The Untouchable” Gino Medina.

Plus: the “Rogue Prince” Brian Pillman Jr. will be in the house!

Join Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch and Alicia from Dallas/Ft. Worth for a night of top ranked action.

Matches:
•Lumberjack Match: CONTRA UNIT vs. Los Parks
•Injustice vs. Zenshi and Laredo Kid
•Plus more!

AEW Revolution 2/29/20

February 29, 2020 at 8:00 PM ET (Preshow at 7:00 PM ET) – Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois – Available on B/R Live, FITE.net and traditional PPV. The event will stream on B/R Live for $49.99.

AEW World Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Jon Moxley

AEW World Tag Team Championship: Kenny Omega and Hangman Page (c) vs. The Young Bucks

AEW Women’s World Championship: Nyla Rose (c) vs. Kris Statlander

Cody vs. MJF

Dustin Rhodes vs. Jake Hager

Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara

PAC vs. Orange Cassidy

Dark Order (Evil Uno and Grayson) vs. SCU (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky)