MVP says his knee is now pain-free following stem cell therapy.
The 50-year-old revealed in early June that he was headed to Cancun, Mexico to receive treatment at the Rejuvstem clinic. He posted an update on his progress to Instagram on Tuesday.
“An update on my stem cell progress! @rejuvstem got me pain free in my knee!!!!! Shout out to Jared @_6lack.fit_my personal trainer!” MVP wrote. He is shown in the video doing box jumps as well.
Shotzi traveled to the same clinic in May to have treatment done on a nagging back injury she suffered in 2021. Big E went to Cancun at the same time as MVP back in June for treatment as well.
When MVP announced he was going to have stem cell treatment, he teased a possible in-ring return, writing, “Here we go!!! Heading to Cancun for stem cell treatment at @rejuvstem so I can get back on the mats AND, into the ring. 1 last run? Let’s see…”
MVP hasn’t wrestled since July 2022.
He recently made a surprise appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI and confirmed that his WWE contract is set to expire and he will not be returning to the company. MVP said he still has things he’d like to accomplish and Barnett invited him back to Bloodsport anytime either alone or “with a posse.” The last line is a likely reference to reports that Bobby Lashley and MVP plan to reform a stable similar to the Hurt Business outside of WWE.
We have a giant story on the life and career of Kevin Sullivan. It’s one of the biggest stories we’ve done in recent years covering this very unique person who wore a lot of hats in the industry and had a lot of very significant influence on aspects of the genre.
Among the other topics covered:
Tony Khan announces the second AEW stadium show for 2025 and we talk about reports of a third one as well.
Previewing All In
Update on Bash in Berlin including a new main event not announced yet and the latest on the planned stipulation
Bryan Danielson talks about his life and career
AEW and Triller doing PPV bundles
U.S. Olympic wrestling roundup as well as Hiroshi Tanahashi wants to recruit three Olympians
Update on G-1 Climax tournament and all the bouts of the past week
A look at the career of Yoshinari Ogawa who retired this past week
A look at Dennis Brent, who passed away, a behind-the-scenes figure who was very close to many insiders in the wrestling community and had worked for and with World Class, Mid South, WCW, JCP and WWE before a tragic case of MS ended him in wrestling.
Update on legal wranglings involving Janel Grant, Vince McMahoin and Dr. Carlon Colker
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week, weekly rankings, comparisons with a year ago, segment-by-segment, nightly placings competition and more
Rundown from another big show at Arena Mexico
More on the CMLL Grand Prix show featuring wrestlers from all over the world
Return date announced for one of the biggest international stars
Exactly what the issues are with AAA and Penta & Fenix and why their talent isn’t allowed to appear on the same shows in Mexico
Update on the Stardom Five Star Grand Prix
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate update
N-1 tournament update
What WWE NXT star is getting over in Japan
Grandson of one of the biggest wrestling stars of all-time now training to wrestle
El Hijo del Santo retirement tour update and he talks about when he was negotiating to go full-time with WWE
MJF vs. Michael Oku match story and angle with Ospreay
GCW hits Japan
PPV updates for recent pro wrestling and boxing events
Tony Khan talks more on big announcements
Update on Young Bucks
Penta & Fenix update
Behind the making of MJF vs. Oku in England
Advances for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
Streaming numbers and international TV numbers
Update on Conor McGregor fighting
Former MMA fighter involved in a shooting death of a man who was friends with the person who was accused of kidnapping his son
Heyman talks his ECW run
Ronda Rousey on Vince McMahon
Jesse Ventura and his attempt to unionize wrestlers
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
The full match between Uncle Howdy and Chad Gable from Monday’s Raw is now available on YouTube.
On Instagram, CM Punk posted a video of himself hiding under the ring before attacking Drew McIntyre on Raw.
Sean Waltman reflected on Sid Eudy’s passing: Sid was my 1st odd couple tag partner before Kane. I loved teaming with him. He was always really good to me. Condolences to his family & friends.
During Raw, it was announced that Rey Mysterio would be a part of the upcoming Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef live special that will stream on Netflix on September 2.
During WWE’s Japan tour, Montez Ford, Bianca Belair, Meiko Satomura, and Jade Cargill visited the Ribera Steakhouse.
Marshall Von Erich wrote on X: “Unbelievable moment I got to share with my brothers. Words can’t explain how fulfilling my brother I feel that my Dad gets to witness all this hard work paying off. God is good!”
MJF will be a guest at MCW’s Fan Jam 3 event on November 10.
In an interview on NJPW’s website, Zack Sabre Jr. said he would be in the position he is in now even if Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada were still in the company: “Even if they were still here, this would be an essential time for me to reach the top. Yeah, especially without them here my responsibility was to reach the top, and if I couldn’t reach the top without Okada or Ospreay there then when could I? But if those wrestlers were here, I would still be the G1 winner and I would still be striving for all those goals.
“Them not being there is more beneficial for the younger generation than it is for me. I would still be in this position if they hadn’t left, but with the gap those wrestlers have created, there’s more space and more opportunities for everyone. I’m going to be at the top, but I won’t want to be at the top by myself.”
Nic Nemeth told Fightful that he was originally only going to do 10 dates with TNA, but extended his time there after he enjoyed his time with the company: “Like, what if I’m not helping you guys? Or what if I hate it? Or it doesn’t work out? I don’t want to sign a three year deal.’ He goes, ‘How about a year?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then how about 10 dates?’ I go, ‘Alright, that I can do. Let’s do 10 dates and if you don’t think I’m worth it, cut me out. Or if I say this sucks, I can’t, I don’t like this company.’
“I love it so much. Everybody’s great. In a world where every locker room is pretty friggin’ awesome and hard working. Like there’s no wrestling locker room where people are like, ‘Oh nobody works hard here.’ It’s every place you go is like these guys are busting their ass to make something special happen. That is the exact same case with TNA. The infrastructure behind the scenes is really awesome.”
EC3 has reached the one-year mark as NWA World Champion. Kenzie Paige has also hit the one-year mark as NWA Women’s Champion.
Su Yung gave an injury update on X: “8 weeks off. I am on a waiting list for surgery. If I still can’t breathe out of one side and if so maybe longer time off. Thank you for the support. See ya down the road wrestling.”
Jake Hager has been announced for the BLP/Draft Kings Wrestling Combine.
In hindsight, Brock Anderson doesn’t feel he was ready for his role in AEW.
Anderson joined AEW as a rookie in 2021 and was with the company until his contract was not renewed in 2023. The son of wrestling legend Arn Anderson, Brock was trained by former WCW wrestler Lodi and then trained at the Nightmare Factory with QT Marshall.
While appearing on the Under the Ring podcast, the 27-year-old Brock looked back at his time in AEW and explained why he doesn’t think he was ready for the promotion. Brock said that, with AEW being “basically just TV,” there wasn’t a setup for younger wrestlers to develop.
“When I was at AEW, hindsight’s 20/20, you can look back and see that things weren’t going to be the way they were,” he said. “But I didn’t know — it was a new company, I didn’t know what was going to happen. But I don’t think looking back now I was ready for that. Because for young guys, there is no setup to really learn and grasp the business. It’s basically just TV.”
Brock was a regular on AEW Dark during his stint with the promotion, but AEW Dark and Dark: Elevation both ended in April 2023.
Since departing AEW, Brock has wrestled on the indies and is now set to make his MLW debut at Summer of the Beasts in New York City this Thursday (August 29). He’ll be part of a tag team with former ECW wrestler CW Anderson.
The wrestling world is paying tribute to Sid Vicious.
Across social media on Monday, wrestlers and promotions alike paid tribute to the former WCW and WWF Champion. During Raw, WWE aired a tribute video highlighting his career and accomplishments:
Among those who paid tribute online were Shawn Michaels, who dropped the WWF Championship to Sid at Survivor Series 1996 and won it back months later at the 1997 Royal Rumble.
“Saddened to learn of the passing of Sid Eudy,” he wrote on X. “An unforgettable presence, and it can’t be overstated how big of a role he played in creating “The Heartbreak Kid”. His work, legacy, and influence will inspire our business for generations to come,” he wrote.
Saddened to learn of the passing of Sid Eudy.
An unforgettable presence, and it can't be overstated how big of a role he played in creating "The Heartbreak Kid".
His work, legacy, and influence will inspire our business for generations to come.
WWE’s COO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque also paid tribute to Sid:
A two-time WWE Champion. The Master and Ruler of the World. Few performers in the history of our business have had the look, intensity and ability to connect with the audience quite like Sid. My thoughts are with Sid's family, friends and fans. https://t.co/VuaBspqJFM
Several promotions including WWE, AEW, NWA, and TNA also posted tributes on X:
AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Sid “Vicious” Eudy. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/B70XKUlBzR
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Sid Vicious. A true powerhouse and unforgettable force in the ring, his legacy will forever be remembered in the world of professional wrestling. pic.twitter.com/lc2uBx2Fv9
So Sorry To Hear Of The Passing Of Sid Justice. For All Of You Out There That Have Known That We Hadn’t Gotten Along In Business- The Last Time I Saw Him, We Hugged, He Called Me Champ, And I Said Thank You! He Has A Beautiful Family, And His Family Should Know That He Was Much… pic.twitter.com/legtqE0yHH
RIP big brother Sidney Eudy. No! It’s Impossible. We were always together and having fun always.He came to my gym,my house and he knew every member of my family. I spent months with him at his house with his Family My Sympathies to Sid’s wife Sabrina and(his sons)Franky&Gunner.TY pic.twitter.com/raDi3kYnoV
The CAC is profoundly saddened by the loss of the incomparable Sid Eudy at 63, a legend in the professional wrestling world known for his iconic personas Sid Justice, Sid Vicious, and Sycho Sid. May his family, friends, and fans find strength in celebrating his remarkable life. pic.twitter.com/HVtIsdtZZi
So sad to hear that friend and wrestling superstar Sid Eudy (Sid Vicious & Sid Justice) has passed away at 63 from cancer. He was one of the first wrestlers I wrestled when I was trying out for WCW. What a great guy. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends… pic.twitter.com/HLodDELIHH
In a new interview with Straight Talk Wrestling, Tessa Blanchard opened up about how being accused of bullying and racism by several of her colleagues has impacted her.
The backlash against Blanchard began in January 2020 when she posted a message to Twitter about female wrestlers supporting one another. Several wrestlers responded by accusing Blanchard of bullying and, in particular, calling another wrestler a slur backstage.
“Remember when you spat in a black woman’s face and called her the N-word in Japan? Was that you “supporting women“? The AUDACITY of this tweet,” wrote Allysin Kay in response to Blanchard’s post.
“You’ve consistently put down, bullied, and belittled countless female coworkers, including me. Is that support?” Chelsea Green wrote.
“As someone who experienced your bullying firsthand, received regular verbal abuse, was spat on, had rumours spread about me, dealt with multiple attempts by you to blacklist me from other companies, (plus more), I just pray you now follow your own advice,” wrote Isla Dawn.
Blanchard, who now works a full-time schedule with CMLL in Mexico, says she would not change anything about her career as it has made her the wrestler and person she is today.
“I wouldn’t change anything about the peaks, the valleys, the way my career’s been, I wouldn’t change anything because I’m very proud of the woman that I am now and the wrestler that I am today and where my career is,” Blanchard said on the show.
“If anything would have been different, I might be in a different place, I might be a different person, my ego might be through the roof, who knows?”
Blanchard said what happened in early 2020 led to struggles with her mental health.
“When everything happened to me, it was even a tough topic to even talk about. I remember I was living in Tijuana at the time and I remember some days I would wake up, I didn’t even have the strength to live that day so I would just go back to bed and I would be in my bed all day long. There were days where I was tired about life just because my identity was wrestling, I didn’t know who I was without it and in a matter of less than 24 hours, it was like from here to (nothing). From contract offers from the biggest companies, more money than I’d ever seen in my life to nothing.”
“This whole storyline we had built for eight or nine months to me begging the TNA office that day like ‘I don’t want to win it, I don’t want to do this.’ And after I didn’t go home, I went on a 27-day media tour in Mexico where I remember, we would pull over in the Uber before every interview and I would vomit.”
“My family, my little brother and sister were 14 years old at the time, were reading all these things about me that I knew wasn’t me, I knew wasn’t in my heart, I wasn’t this person, but it didn’t matter, perception is reality, the truth doesn’t matter.”
“I didn’t know my identity without wrestling and through all of that, through those ups and downs, those really hard days that I didn’t know if I was going to get through, I found out who Tessa is without wrestling.”
WWE’s Chelsea Green, who was one of the wrestlers who accused Blanchard of bullying, responded to an article from Fightful quoting her recent comments. Green wrote:
“I don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone and hope she has found peace. However, a simple ‘I am sorry’ goes a long way. We haven’t heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won’t erase the actions of an egotistical bully.”
I don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone and hope she has found peace. However, a simple 'I am sorry' goes a long way. We haven't heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won't erase the actions of an egotistical bully.
The first match announcement has been made for Scott D’Amore’s revival of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.
AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita will face off against TNA star Josh Alexander at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged In Excellence this October. It’s a two-night event that’s being held at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. The promotion hasn’t announced which night Takeshita vs. Alexander will be taking place on.
Takeshita and Alexander have only faced each other once before, going to a 20-minute time limit draw for indie promotion Garden State Pro Wrestling in 2022.
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is a new venture for D’Amore, who was fired as president of TNA Wrestling this February amid a leadership shakeup. D’Amore also has the title of president in this new promotion. It’s a revival of the Maple Leaf Wrestling brand that originally existed from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Both nights of Forged In Excellence are set to air live as pay-per-views on Triller TV. Mauro Ranallo is returning to pro wrestling commentary as the play-by-play voice of the promotion. El Phantasmo, Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal), Gisele Shaw, KUSHIDA, Alex Zayne, Kevin Knight, Jake Something, Kylie Rae, and Trevor Lee are among the other talent advertised for Forged In Excellence.
Ernie Ladd holds a number of unique distinctions in the sports world, as well as the pro wrestling world.
As one of the most famous players in the history of the old American Football League (which later became the AFC in its merger with the NFL), he is, along with Bronko Nagurski, the biggest dual sports pro wrestling/football star who ever lived.
There were ex-NFL stars who were as big a star as he was, like Dick the Bruiser and Wahoo McDaniel, but they were not the caliber of football player he was. Leo Nomellini was a better football player, but not nearly as big a national wrestling star. Ladd and Nagurski were the only close to Hall of Fame caliber performers in both sports. In his heyday of the 60s, where he played football and then wrestled during the off-season, he was the biggest man in one and bordering on the biggest in the other. Grizzly Smith of the Kentuckians tag team, the father of Jake Roberts, was roughly as tall, and heavier, although Smith was hardly the sculpted athlete with a 52 inch chest and 39 inch waist that a young Ernie Ladd was.
The end of the first night of Homecoming saw Mance Warner retain the GCW World Championship in a four-way ladder match involving Joey Janela, Matt Cardona, and former champion Blake Christian. The finish had Effy come out in an attempt to prevent Warner from winning the match. It was then that JBL made a surprise appearance, taking out Effy with a punch and two Clotheslines from Hell. That allowed Warner to climb the ladder and grab both his and Christian’s World titles, allowing him to become undisputed champion.
JBL has been making appearances outside of WWE as of late, appearing at AAA’s Triplemania event in Mexico City last weekend and accompanying Nic Nemeth to the ring.
Nick Gage did not appear as advertised on Saturday, where he was to take on Drew Parker in a death match. Before the match took place, Brett Lauderdale appeared and said that he didn’t know when Gage would appear in the ring again. Parker ended up defeating Gage’s replacement Brandon Kirk.
The company held their 12th Anniversary Show at the Copper Box in London Saturday. In the main event, Luke Jacobs defeated Michael Oku to win the Undisputed British Heavyweight title for the first time. After the match, Tomohiro Ishii came out and had a staredown with Jacbos in what would be the first challenge for the new champion. Ishii wrestled earlier in the night, defeating JJ Gale.
Oku lost the title on Saturday amid rumors he may be heading to AEW, having competed in a dark match prior to AEW’s Dynamite show on Wednesday, defeating Serpentico.
Another AEW star, Saraya, made a surprise appearance supporting her brother Ricky Knight Jr. as he defeated Zozaya.
Other title changes saw Mina Shirakawa defeat Dani Luna to win the Undisputed British Women’s title and Chuck Mambo & TK Cooper defeat Grizzled Young Veterans to capture the Undisputed British Tag Team titles. In a six-way match for the Undisputed British Cruiserweight title, Will Kaven defeated Cameron Khai, El Phantasmo, Leon Slater, surprise participant Dante Martin, and champion Neon to become the new champion.
Eleven years after sharing a conspiracy video about the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, Ronda Rousey has issued a public apology.
Rousey was supposed to take part in an Ask Me Anything on Reddit’s Squared Circle community this week, but it never happened after the Q&A session was flooded with questions asking if Rousey still believed the mass shooting was staged. Rousey shared the conspiracy video to Twitter in 2013, calling it “interesting” and must-watch.
In an apology late Thursday night, Rousey said reposting the video was the “single most regrettable decision” of her life. She’s wanted to apologize but — until now — always convinced herself that it wasn’t the right time.
“I can’t say how many times I’ve redrafted this apology over the last 11 years. How many times I’ve convinced myself it wasn’t the right time or that I’d be causing even more damage by giving it. But eleven years ago I made the single most regrettable decision of my life,” she wrote. “I watched a Sandy Hook conspiracy video and reposted it on twitter. I didn’t even believe it, but was so horrified at the truth that I was grasping for an alternative fiction to cling to instead. I quickly realized my mistake and took it down, but the damage was done. By some miracle it seemingly slipped under the media’s radar, I was never asked about it so I never spoke of it again, afraid that calling attention to it would have the opposite of the intended effect – it could increase the views of those conspiracy videos, and selfishly, inform even more people I was ignorant, self absorbed, and tone deaf enough to share one in the first place.”
Rousey said she wanted to include an apology in her “Our Fight” memoir that was released earlier this year, but her publisher begged her to take it out because they thought it would do more harm than good. Rousey believes she deserves any hate that has come her way and deserves to miss out on every opportunity in her career.
“But honestly I deserve to be hated, labeled, detested, resented and worse for it. I deserve to lose out on every opportunity, I should have been canceled, I would have deserved it. I still do. I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the Sandy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and depth of my soul I am so so sorry for the hurt I caused. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing to it. I’ve regretted it every day of my life since and will continue to do so until the day I die,” Rousey wrote.
“And to anyone else that’s fallen down the black hole of bullsh*t. It doesn’t make you edgy, or an independent thinker, you’re not doing your due diligence entertaining every possibility by digesting these conspiracies. They will only make you feel powerless, afraid, miserable and isolated. You’re doing nothing but hurting others and yourself. Regardless of how many bridges you’ve burned over it, stop digging yourself a deeper hole, don’t get wrapped up in the sunk cost fallacy, no matter how long you’ve gone down the wrong road, you should still turn back.”
Twenty-six people — including 20 children — were killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012.
At the time she shared the video, Rousey was in the middle of her UFC career. She went on to become a star for WWE and is now focused on writing projects, including writing her first graphic novel and penning the screenplay for an upcoming Netflix film about her life. Rousey announced last month that she and husband Travis Browne are expecting their second child together.
Scott D’Amore’s new pro wrestling venture will have a familiar voice on commentary.
During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, D’Amore announced that Mauro Ranallo has agreed to return to pro wrestling announcing as the voice of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. The promotion launches on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 with events at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
“You need to have a great voice, and I think we have one of the very best,” D’Amore said. “I think indisputably the best combat sports cross-genre announcer — because Mauro Ranallo has agreed to be the voice of Maple Leaf Pro.”
D’Amore said he’s so stoked and honored to have Ranallo with the promotion. They’ve known each other for 25 years dating back to Stampede Wrestling.
Along with his work in boxing and MMA, Ranallo has done pro wrestling commentary for WWE, NXT, and NJPW. He also made a cameo for Impact Wrestling in 2021 when D’Amore brought him in to call a match between Kenny Omega and Rich Swann.
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is a revival of the brand that originally existed from the 1930s to the 1980s. The promotion’s October 19 and October 20 events will air live as pay-per-views on Triller TV.
Konosuke Takeshita, El Phantasmo, Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal), Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, KUSHIDA, Alex Zayne, Kevin Knight, Jake Something, Kylie Rae, and Trevor Lee have been announced for the shows.
This new venture comes after D’Amore was fired from TNA Wrestling in February as part of a leadership shakeup. He was the president of TNA prior to departing the company.
Sacs joins Ash by Elegance (FKA Dana Brooke), Mike Rallis (FKA Riddick Moss), Jordynne Grace, Parker Boudreaux, Xia Zhao (FKA Xia Li), and Moose as the talent announced for the Wrestling Combine.
The Combine will showcase four men and four women squaring off in a series of athletic contests to determine the best overall athlete.
BLP Crowning Glory will also feature an appearance from WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, Mustafa Ali vs. Sabin Gauge, plus the former Jinder Mahal (Raj Dhesi) defending the BLP Championship against “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.
After last year’s rousing success, Dave Meltzer & Bryan Alvarez will return to London for a second edition of Wrestling Observer Radio: Live in London 2 during AEW All In weekend.
Last year’s show sold out, so we tried to figure out how to top it. Well, how about we all get on a boat on the River Thames?
This year’s event will take place at 11 AM on Sunday, August 25th and will be hosted on the historic Tattershall Castle steamship.
This proud vessel is permanently moored on the Victoria Embankment, directly opposite the London Eye and just five minutes walk from Big Ben & The Houses Of Parliament, right in the centre of London.
Fans can enjoy incredible views of London’s landmarks from the top deck before heading below deck to enjoy an audience with the world’s most prominent wrestling journalists as they will take questions from the fans on all aspects of the wrestling business past, present and future.
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Ticket Prices:
General Admission: £60 (approximately $74.25 USD)
This includes entry and £5 food/drink voucher (approximately $6.19 USD). Seating not guaranteed. The venue will be a mix of seating and standing.
Seven-Star VIP admission: £85 (approximately $105.19) (Limited to maximum 50 VIPs)
This includes entry, £5 food/drink voucher (approximately $6.19 USD) and guaranteed seat for the Q&A. Also, this includes a post-event signature from both Bryan and Dave on your item or a free print, as well as a professional digital photograph.
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Fans can purchase general admission tickets to see the show or can upgrade to our Seven Star VIP tickets which will guarantee early entry and the most prominent positions for the show as well as a private meet & greet with Bryan & Dave afterward. That includes a photo and autographs with both guys as a memento during the biggest wrestling event taking place in the UK this year.
All tickets include a £5 bar voucher (approximately $6.19 USD) that can be spent on drinks, food or whatever you choose.
Don’t want to pay for the whole ticket upfront? Cost of tickets can be spread across three, equal monthly payments at no additional cost by selecting PayPal Later at checkout.
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Traveling to & from the venue:
The best way to reach the Tattershall Castle is by the Tube. The nearest stations are Embankment (District/Circle Lines) or Westminster (Jubilee Line). It is just a five minute walk down the river from each station.
After the event, you can jump on the Jubilee Line at Westminster and head north. This train will take you directly to Wembley Park with a journey time of approximately 40 minutes.
The greatest test of an event is the memories that last over time. There have been a lot of great matches, even in the last month. But in the modern era of MMA, there has really only been one true all-time legendary battle. It’s the one people will talk about and be in awe of for decades, and that was Kazushi Sakuraba’s performance on May 1, 2000 at the Tokyo Dome.
Sakuraba, participating on a one-night open weight tournament, beat Royce Gracie in the longest modern era match, a no time limit bout that went 90:00 before Royce’s father Helio threw in the towel as his son could do nothing to stop repeated leg kicks. After that match, Sakuraba came back out and faced Igor Vovchanchyn, at the time the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. Vovchanchyn outweighed Sakuraba by more than 40 pounds at weigh-ins, and by this time after the prior match, it was probably closer to 50 pounds. Sakuraba was actually winning the fight for 10:00, but finally, he gassed, took a pounding, and at the 15:00 round break, his corner told him not to continue.
Even though Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko Cro Cop was the generation’s ultimate heavyweight battle, it will not be remembered nearly as well.
The wrestling world is paying tribute to Afa Anoa’i.
Afa, who was part of the legendary Wild Samoans tag team with his brother Sika, passed away on Friday at the age of 81, just weeks after Sika passed away in June. On Friday’s WWE SmackDown, the company aired a tribute highlighting his career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMGjJrdcWw
Afa’s daughter, Vale Anoa’i, responded to the tribute on X.
“Deeply touched and grateful for the absolutely beautiful tribute video @WWE put together for my Dad. That was perfect. My heart is full of love. Thank you so much,” she wrote.
Deeply touched and grateful for the absolutely beautiful tribute video @WWE put together for my Dad. That was perfect. My heart is full of love. Thank you so much. pic.twitter.com/RiqOhjpg6l
“Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i,” he wrote. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven. Rest in Power Wild Samoans.”
Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana'i Anoa'i. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were…
Son Afa wrote on Facebook: “I’ve lost my Best Friend, My Biggest Fan, my Mentor, my Hero, my Trainer, my Influence, my world, my Father!!! Nothing can prepare for this part of life. I’m devastated! Rest Easy Dad! Give uncle a big hug for me! #Anoai”
Rikishi, Lance Anoa’i, and Reno Anoa’i also posted on X:
AEW, TNA, and other figures in pro wrestling posted on social media in the hours following the announcement of his passing:
AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Wild Samoan Afa. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/053EKcrAVm
TNA is saddened to learn of the passing of Afa Anoa’i Sr., one-half of the legendary Wild Samoans tag team. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Anoa’i family, his friends and fans during this time. pic.twitter.com/6mww2L7dcw
The wrestling world mourns the loss of a great legend, Afa Anoaʻi, but we choose to celebrate his life and the memories he leaves behind. All of us here at the CAC stand with his family, friends, and fans worldwide in their time of grief and offer our heartfelt condolences. pic.twitter.com/hIn4UyKlr0
The Hart family has so much love for your family. Reflecting on the incredible life Afa lived and what an amazing family man he was. May The Wild Samoan’s legacy in wrestling burn brightly FOREVER. https://t.co/lZc4YI52nQpic.twitter.com/1mE2hYX5He
My thoughts & condolences go out to the families, friends & loved ones of both Afa & Sika. May these 2 trailblazers rest in peace & power. These 2 gentlemen built the foundation that the Samoan Dynasty would be built upon. Godspeed! pic.twitter.com/SGu6CjnL85
Godspeed, Afa. Your contributions are unquestioned and legacy will live forever. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all he touched. Rest well, sir. 🙏 https://t.co/89vSuDDgID
In the 1970s and 80s, The Wild Samoans were a dominant part of the WWE’s tag team divsion, winning the titles three times. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, and their legacy lives on with The Bloodline stable, a prominent part of WWE programing.
