Author: Ethan Renner

An F4WOnline Editor since 2019, Ethan has been covering wrestling and MMA since 2011. He has hosted The Wrestling Life Podcast since 2014, and is a former Baltimore Sun TV/Tribune Media contributor. He is also a Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles fan.

Marina Shafir vs. Jody Threat announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A new match is set for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII.

As revealed by Barnett himself in a social media post Monday, AEW wrestler and former professional MMA fighter Marina Shafir will face TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion Jody Threat at Bloodsport on November 24.

The match is the sixth made for the Barnett and GCW co-promoted event taking place in Jersey City, New Jersey at the White Eagle Hall. Barnett wrote:

[Two] women wrestlers set on a collision course… Pain Agony Will Blood Violence Glory And that’s exactly why they’re meeting in the ring known as Bloodsport. @AEW’s Marina Shafir vs @ThisIsTNA’s Jody Threat at Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport XII Get your tickets now!

Bloodsport XII streams on Triller TV on Sunday, November 24 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The updated card:

  • Josh Alexander vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
  • MVP vs. Josh Barnett
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Lei Ying Lee
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Akira
  • Kevin Ku vs. Dominic Garrini
  • Marina Shafir vs. Jody Threat

OG Bloodline vs. Bloodline WarGames match set for WWE Survivor Series

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Both iterations of The Bloodline will square off in a WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series.

Dubbed the “OG Bloodline,” Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and Sami Zayn will face The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa in a four-on-four WarGames match at Survivor Series on Saturday, November 30.

WWE has yet to officially announce the bout, but both sides agreed to the match in the closing segment of Friday’s SmackDown episode.

Sikoa’s Bloodline was in the ring for a Tribal Chief acknowledgment ceremony and called out Reigns to acknowledge Sikoa. Reigns challenged Sikoa to a singles match to determine the true Tribal Chief, but Sikoa declined and instead proposed the WarGames bout.

In a swerve, Sikoa announced Zayn as the fifth member of his Bloodline team for the match, stating that he was in cahoots with Zayn and that Zayn had intentionally hit Reigns at Crown Jewel. Zayn came to the ring and helped Reigns and The Usos clean house.

SmackDown ended with Reigns, The Usos, and Zayn holding up one finger, the symbol for their version of The Bloodline that dominated SmackDown in 2022 and 2023.

The lineup to this point for WWE Survivor Series WarGames set for Saturday, November 30 in Vancouver:

  • WarGames match: OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn) vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa)

Two title matches booked for next week’s WWE SmackDown

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Two championship matches are on tap for the Friday, November 15 WWE SmackDown.

WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax will defend her title against Naomi on next week’s episode in a match set up on this week’s show. Naomi got involved in the Jax & Tiffany Stratton vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill tag team bout on Friday’s SmackDown, with Belair pinning Stratton in the chaos caused by Naomi and Candice LeRae’s run-ins.

The WWE Tag Team Championships will also be on the line next week.

Motor City Machine Guns will defend their titles against The Street Profits on next week’s show after The Profits issued a challenge to MCMG in a backstage segment this week.

The announced card for the Friday, November 15 WWE SmackDown:

  • WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax defends against Naomi
  • WWE Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defend against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)

Gunther-Damian Priest confrontation announced for WWE Raw

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A confrontation between the World Heavyweight Champion and the number one contender is set for Monday’s WWE Raw.

As announced during Friday’s SmackDown, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther will confront number one contender Damian Priest on the Monday, November 11 WWE Raw.

Priest won a number one contender’s match on last week’s Raw to put himself next in line to challenge Gunther.

Gunther defeated Priest at SummerSlam this past August to win the World Heavyweight title.

A tag team match has also been announced for Monday’s Raw.

Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill will face off with Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgment Day on Monday’s episode. The bout was not explicitly announced as a title match in the match graphic that aired on SmackDown, but a description on WWE.com lists it as a title bout.

The lineup for the Monday, November 11 WWE Raw:

  • World Heavyweight Champion Gunther confronts number one contender Damian Priest
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez

Randy Orton stretchered out after Kevin Owens piledriver in WWE SmackDown injury angle

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Kevin Owens delivered a piledriver to Randy Orton on Friday’s WWE SmackDown leading to an injury angle.

Orton called out Owens on Friday’s SmackDown after their Crown Jewel bout last Saturday never took place as the two brawled before it could kick off. Orton was shown storming to the ring, then demanded Owens come out for a confrontation.

The two brawled as officials tried to break up the physicality, but Owens put a punctuation mark on the segment by delivering a piledriver to Orton. Orton immediately sold his head and neck, and was carried out of the arena on a back board.

The angle marks the highest-profile usage of the piledriver in WWE since a February 2013 Raw match where CM Punk delivered the move to John Cena:

In the aftermath, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came to the ring to check on Orton, then was shown climbing into the ambulance with Orton.

Later in the show on commentary, Michael Cole noted that Orton was taken to “a local hospital” and was suffering from “undisclosed cervical injuries.”

The angle can be seen in the embedded video below.

WWE introduces Women’s United States Championship

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There is a new title in WWE.

On Friday’s SmackDown, general manager Nick Aldis introduced the WWE Women’s United States Championship in a vignette, declaring the belt’s introduction another opportunity for WWE’s women’s division to showcase its talent and ruthlessness as they continue to “shatter glass ceilings.”

In the vignette, Aldis said that the title will not be handed out, but one competitor will seize the opportunity and become the inaugural Women’s United States Champion.

Further details as to how the first champion will be decided have yet to be revealed.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves spoke on commentary about the prestige of the men’s US title and how Hall of Famers from Harley Race to John Cena have held it, and how the new title will provide an opportunity for a current women’s star to elevate their career.

Our full report from Friday’s SmackDown in Buffalo is available here.

The Aldis vignette can be seen in the embedded video below.

Four matches set for next week’s TNA Impact

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Four matches are on tap for the Thursday, November 14 TNA Impact.

After an announcement on this week’s show that World Champion Nic Nemeth will be defending his title against The System’s Eddie Edwards at Turning Point later this month, it was revealed that Nemeth will be in action on next week’s show against Edwards’ tag team partner Brian Myers.

After a backstage confrontation between Mike Santana and the First Class duo of AJ Francis & KC Navarro this week, Santana vs. Navarro has been booked for next week’s Impact.

Joe Hendry’s issues with the Nemeth family will continue on next week’s Impact as he faces Ryan Nemeth in singles competition.

Also set for next week, Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus, and Travis Williams of The Northern Armory take on Steve Maclin, Eric Young, and Jonathan Gresham in a trios bout.

The lineup for the Thursday, November 14 TNA Impact:

  • Nic Nemeth vs. Brian Myers
  • Mike Santana vs. KC Navarro
  • Joe Hendry vs. Ryan Nemeth
  • Josh Alexander, Travis Williams & Judas Icarus vs. Steve Maclin, Jonathan Gresham & Eric Young

Nic Nemeth vs. Eddie Edwards World title match booked for TNA Turning Point

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The first match is set for TNA Turning Point, and it’s a World title bout.

Nic Nemeth will defend the TNA World Championship against Eddie Edwards at Turning Point set for Friday, November 29 on TNA Plus.

Edwards scored a pinfall on Nemeth on the October 31 Impact in a tag team bout after Nemeth and Bound for Glory opponent Joe Hendry were forced to team and had a miscommunication that led to the finish. The bout was officially announced for Turning Point on Thursday’s TNA Impact.

Nemeth has held the World title since defeating Moose for the belt at Slammiversary this past July. The promotion was seemingly building to Hendry defeating Nemeth for the title, but JBL interfered in the title match at Bound for Glory to muddy the waters and delay Hendry’s coronation.

The card so far for the TNA Plus Turning Point special streaming on Friday, November 29:

  • TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth defends against Eddie Edwards

TNA crowns new X-Division Champion on Impact

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Moose is the new TNA X-Division Champion.

The former TNA World Champion defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey on Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact to win the X-Division title for the first time in his career.

Trent Seven added insult to injury to Bailey, turning on his former Speedball Mountain tag partner in the post-match to set up a new feud for the now former X-Division Champion.

Moose, 40, is once again a champion in TNA after dropping the World title to Nic Nemeth at Slammiversary this past July. The former NFL offensive lineman played in 62 games over seven seasons with four teams before beginning is pro wrestling career.

Bailey’s third reign with the X-Division Championship comes to an end with the defeat. Bailey’s first reign began at Slammiversary in 2022, his second at Slammiversary in 2024, and his third kicked off at Victory Road this past September.

Our full report from Thursday’s TNA Impact episode taped October 27 is available here.

Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers to begin on next week’s WWE NXT

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Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches will begin on next week’s WWE NXT, plus the Women’s North American title will be on the line.

Qualifying bouts for the men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge will begin on the Tuesday, November 12 WWE NXT episode as announced by NXT GM Ava on Wednesday’s show.

The men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches will be held at the Deadline PLE on December 7 and will crown new number one contenders to the men’s and women’s NXT Championships.

Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley of Fatal Influence will defend her title against former champ Kelani Jordan on next week’s WWE NXT in another match announced during Wednesday’s show.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Adriana Rizzo, plus Ava deciding the next challengers for Nathan Frazer & Axiom’s NXT Tag Team titles are also set for next week.

The announced card for the Tuesday, November 12 WWE NXT:

  • Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches begin
  • NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley defends against Kelani Jordan
  • Nikkita Lyons vs. Adriana Rizzo
  • Ava decides the next challengers to Nathan Frazer & Axiom’s NXT Tag Team titles

WWE NXT reveals Deadline PLE date and location

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WWE NXT has revealed the date and location for this year’s Deadline premium live event.

As announced by NXT GM Ava during Wednesday’s WWE NXT, Deadline will emanate from Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, December 7.

Ava also announced the return of the Iron Survivor Challenge for Deadline, 25-minute matches where the highest point scorer is crowned the new number one contender to the NXT or NXT Women’s Championship. Trick Williams and Blair Davenport were the 2023 Iron Survivor Challenge winners, while Roxanne Perez and Grayson Waller won the inaugural Iron Survivor Challenge matches in 2022.

Qualifying matches for the Iron Survivor Challenge bouts will begin on the Tuesday, November 12 WWE NXT episode.

Other potential matches for Deadline were set up on Wednesday’s NXT episode, as NXT Champion Trick Williams was pinned by Ridge Holland in a tag team contest, plus NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was pinned by Zaria in the 10-woman tag main event.

Full results from Wednesday’s WWE NXT episode from the former ECW Arena are available here.

D-Von Dudley among surprise appearances on WWE NXT at former ECW Arena

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Wednesday’s WWE NXT show at the former ECW Arena featured surprise appearances from former ECW stars in addition to the advertised stars from yesteryear.

D-Von Dudley made a surprise appearance following the Trick Williams & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Ethan Page & Ridge Holland match on Wednesday’s show, bringing his trademark table with him. The Dudleys and Williams put Page through a table to extract some revenge after Holland defeated Williams with a quick roll-up to win the tag team bout.

Rhyno was another surprise appearance on Wednesday’s show as the newly-minted TNA Hall of Famer speared Mr. Stone:

Nunzio and Tony Mamaluke were also featured on Wednesday’s WWE NXT episode, as Mamaluke cornered Nunzio in an unsuccessful North American title challenge against Tony D’Angelo:

Rob Van Dam, Dawn Marie, Francine, and Bubba Ray were the advertised ECW stars who appeared on Wednesday’s show. Our full coverage from the event is available here.

Shawn Michaels welcomes NOAH talent Yoshiki Inamura to WWE NXT

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WWE’s vice president of talent development, creative Shawn Michaels has welcomed a Pro Wrestling NOAH talent to WWE NXT.

In a social media post Tuesday as WWE NXT aired on the CW, Michaels welcomed NOAH’s Yoshiki Inamura to the WWE Performance Center to train as part of WWE and NOAH’s business partnership.

Inamura is a well-traveled international talent who has spent time in Progress and WXW this year, gaining valuable experience.

Michaels posted:

“I’m excited to welcome @noah_ghc Wrestler @noah_yoshiki to #WWENXT. This hard-hitting young man is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with. I look forward to growing NXT’s partnership with @noahglobal in the future. #WWENXT”

WWE’s partnership with NOAH has included sending AJ Styles to Japan for a match against Naomichi Marufuji earlier this year, as well as Tavion Heights and Josh Briggs taking part in NOAH’s N-1 tournament. Shinsuke Nakamura also traveled to Japan in 2023 to face The Great Muta on a NOAH show.

First match set for NJPW Wrestle Dynasty

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NJPW has revealed the first match for its Wrestle Dynasty joint show with AEW, ROH, CMLL, and Stardom set for January 5.

Current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will face AEW’s Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty in the first match official for the Sunday, January 5, 2025 card at the Tokyo Dome, the second of two consecutive nights at the Dome. Wrestle Kingdom 19 will be held the day prior.

Sabre is set to main event Wrestle Kingdom 19, defending the IWGP World Heavyweight title against Shota Umino on the card in a new match announced at Wednesday’s Wrestle Kingdom 19 presser.

No announcement has been made as to whether or not Sabre’s title will be on the line should he retain at Wrestle Kingdom.

The updated cards for Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty:

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Saturday, January 4, 2025 —

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
  • IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Yota Tsuji
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against El Desperado
  • NJPW World TV Champion Ren Narita defends against Jeff Cobb & Ryohei Oiwa in a three-way
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, TJP & Francesco Akira, and Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney in a four-way

NJPW Wrestle Dynasty, Sunday, January 5, 2025 —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet

NJPW reveals Wrestle Kingdom 19 main event, five matches added

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NJPW has revealed the Wrestle Kingdom 19 main event and added a total of five new matches to the January 4, 2025 card.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his title against Shota Umino on NJPW’s biggest show of the year in the main event, a bout set up at Power Struggle this week when Umino confronted Sabre.

The match was officially announced on Wednesday at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom presser.

Four more title matches have also been added to the lineup for Wrestle Kingdom.

IWGP Global Champion David Finlay will defend his title against Yota Tsuji in a Bullet Club vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon matchup.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight title holder DOUKI will put his title on the line in the Tokyo Dome against El Desperado in another title bout added.

A three-way is set for the NJPW World TV title at Wrestle Kingdom with Ren Narita defending against Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa.

Also added, a four-way for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles, with KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defending against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney, and TJP & Francesco Akira.

Already announced for the show, Hiroshi Tanahashi will take on EVIL.

The Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty lineups:

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Saturday, January 4, 2025 —

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
  • IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Yota Tsuji
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against El Desperado
  • NJPW World TV Champion Ren Narita defends against Jeff Cobb & Ryohei Oiwa in a three-way
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, TJP & Francesco Akira, and Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney in a four-way

NJPW Wrestle Dynasty, Sunday, January 5, 2025 —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet