After a nearly four-decade career, Yoshinari Ogawa is stepping away from the ring.
Pro Wrestling NOAH announced overnight that, due to a neck injury, the 57-year-old Ogawa has decided to retire with immediate effect. Per Ogawa’s wishes, NOAH will not be holding a retirement press conference or retirement ceremony for him.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the support & encouragement our fans [have] shown Ogawa over the years,” NOAH wrote. “Although he will be retiring from wrestling, we’re pleased to inform you that he’ll be able to live his daily life without any issues from the injury.”
Ogawa made his in-ring debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1985. He left AJPW for Pro Wrestling NOAH when the latter promotion was founded in 2000. He spent most of his career as a junior heavyweight with title reigns in both AJPW and NOAH.
In 2002, Ogawa had a run as NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight Champion. He was the third-ever wrestler to hold the title (after Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama). Ogawa & Misawa had two reigns holding the GHC Tag Team titles together.
The final match of Ogawa’s career was an eight-man tag bout that took place for NOAH on August 4.
Former NXT wrestler Damon Kemp (real name Bobby Steveson) wants to wrestle “anywhere and everywhere” following the expiration of his WWE contract.
Last month, it was revealed that Kemp was departing WWE with the promotion deciding not to renew his contract. His deal is officially up today (August 12) and he’s now a free agent. Kemp is taking bookings for both matches and appearances.
“As of today I am no longer contracted with WWE,” he wrote on social media. “I want to wrestle anywhere and everywhere. For bookings/appearances contact [email protected].”
Kemp had been with WWE since joining the Performance Center in 2021. In NXT, he was a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew with Charlie Dempsey, Myles Borne, and Tavion Heights.
Before starting in pro wrestling, Kemp was an amateur wrestler at the University of Minnesota. His brother, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, also wrestled at the school. Gable Steveson was released from his WWE contract this May and is now looking to make it in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.
The saddest part about a suicide death without explanation is it leaves the family and friends an eternity of asking why.
In the case of Mike Alfonso, better known as Mike Awesome and The Gladiator, it will be an unresolved question.
Sure, everything wasn’t perfect in his life. He was in the midst of a divorce from wife Delisa, who he met in high school and been married to for 16 years. He had moved from the family home to a condo in Tampa. His marriage had survived the rigors of not only pro wrestling, but the bulk of his career saw him overseas for weeks at a time as one of the most popular foreign stars in Japan. His health wasn’t the best, as he had to make several major lifestyle changes when it came to food, drinking and training over the past year due to suffering from sugar diabetes. He was no longer near 300 pounds, but was still training more for cardiovascular fitness and was around 230. His wrestling career was over, both for health reasons, but he also told friends, it was also by choice.
Kevin Sullivan — legendary pro wrestler and booker — has passed away at 74 years old.
Slam Wrestling notes that Sullivan’s passing was announced by his friend Barry Rose. Sullivan had been in the hospital fighting for his life the past few months after complications from an emergency surgery.
“With the heaviest of hearts, we are devastated to have to report the passing of the legendary Kevin Sullivan,” Rose wrote. “May he RIP and his family, friends and fans find comfort in how much he was loved.”
Last month, Sullivan’s family announced that he was in intensive care after a “devastating accident” that happened in May. Sullivan underwent an emergency surgery that saved his leg, but he faced severe complications including sepsis and encephalitis. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help with Sullivan’s medical expenses. It raised more than $50,000 with significant donations coming from Tony Khan, Jim & Stacey Cornette, Chris Jericho, Scott D’Amore, Cody Rhodes, Mick Foley, Diamond Dallas Page, and more.
Originally from Boston, Sullivan was a pro wrestling star from the 1970s-1990s. He’s best remembered for being an in-ring rival of Dusty Rhodes and for the satanic “Prince of Darkness” character that he played. Sullivan was also a booker in Florida and for WCW.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted: “Kevin Sullivan had one of the most unique minds in the history of our industry, pushing creative boundaries and developing some of the most intriguing characters to step into the ring. He had an unwavering passion for what we do. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans.”
Six months after departing TNA Wrestling, Scott D’Amore has confirmed his next move.
D’Amore announced today that he’s reviving the Maple Leaf Wrestling brand starting with two events this October. Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling will be at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. The shows are set to air as pay-per-views on Triller TV.
“Forged in Excellence” is the name of the events. Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal), Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, KUSHIDA, Alex Zayne, Kevin Knight, Jake Something, Kylie Rae, and Trevor Lee are advertised to appear.
“For six decades, Maple Leaf Wrestling hosted a who’s who of the world’s greatest wrestlers,” D’Amore said in a press release. “Legends like Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant and Rowdy Roddy Piper all competed in Maple Leaf. Now, we’re bringing that legacy back with modern-day legends from WWE, New Japan, TNA, AEW and beyond.”
Maple Leaf Wrestling originally existed from the 1930s to the 1980s. Footage from the promotion’s library will be uploaded to YouTube, Facebook, and other digital platforms as part of the revival.
D’Amore has been gearing up for today’s announcement with trademark filings related to Maple Leaf Wrestling in recent months. He was fired from TNA Wrestling this February as part of a leadership shakeup. D’Amore was president of TNA and now has that title with Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.
Alexander is a top TNA star and will also compete for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. He tweeted about the revival: “I’m excited to be a part of what will showcase the absolute best Canadian wrestling has to offer. The resurrection of Maple Leaf Wrestling for future generations. Follow it. It’s going to be big!”
Kota Ibushi’s in-ring return with DDT has been announced.
Ibushi appeared at Peter Pan 2024 last month and told company founder Sanshiro Takagi that he wants to return to a DDT ring.
On Wednesday, DDT officially revealed Ibushi will wrestle on its August 25 show at Korakuen Hall. He will team with Akito and Danshoku Dino in a tag match against Yuki Iino, Yuya Koroku, and Tetsuya Endo.
In a social media post responding to the match announcement, Ibushi noted that he has received permission from AEW to perform on the show.
“Ahhhh!! It’s been 8 years, I think. It feels both nostalgic and new. Akito-kun, Dino-san. I only have memories of you two. And I never thought I would cross paths with Endo, who I entrusted things to. I’ve also gotten permission from AEW, so everything is set. Oh, and to the younger members, please go easy on me… I think I’ll go at full power. Did I hold the mic at that time, or was it a coincidence? Inevitable?” A translation of Ibushi’s comments read.
Ibushi’s last match for DDT took place on March 20, 2017, in Saitama. He teamed with Daisuke Sekimoto and Jun Akiyama in a win over Kodaka, Keiji Muto, and Sanshiro Takagi on the show.
Announced lineup for DDT at Korakuen Hall on August 25, 2024 —
Kota Ibushi, Akito, & Danshoku Dino vs. Yuki Iino, Yuya Koroku, & Tetsuya Endo
KO-D Openweight Champion Yuki Ueno defends against Shinya Aoki
Soma Takao 15th Anniversary match: Soma Takao vs Keisuke Ishii
In the current issue of Financial Week, new WWE CFO Michael Selick talked about expanding the brand overseas. He said the company is exploring building separate WWE organizations around the company. The idea would be to create a WWE promotion that would run full-time in different parts of the world for each international market. He didn’t go into detail on the idea.
Both Roller Derby and Roller Games in the 60s tried similar approaches, in some ways like a wrestling territorial system. But WWE’s idea, which is to take a worldwide television show and brand, and break it up into splinter groups for different markets, is directly like what Roller Games did internationally in its heyday, and unlike anything ever done by territorial pro wrestling. Shows taped in the U.S. became popular on television in foreign countries, leading to successful tours of the Los Angeles Thunderbirds, the flagship team.
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) July 30, 2024
Earlier this month, it was announced that Hardy would be working multiple GCW events, with Now & Forever being his debut. Hardy discussed his first match on his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast.
“I think it’s really exciting that they announced it — that Matt Hardy’s going to be there — and I think once you find out who I’m wrestling, people are going to go even more nuts,” he said. “And then it’s going to lead to some other stuff. And I think it’s going to be really cool. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Gage’s match on Friday will be his first since June, when he defeated Orin Veidt in a death match.
The current card for Now & Forever:
Mance Warner in action
Joey Janela in action
Effy vs. Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal)
CPF vs. Davey Bang & August Matthews
Maki Itoh vs. John Wayne Murdoch
Arez, Galeno Del Mal, and Jack Cartwheel vs. Alec Price, Dustin Waller, and Marcus Mathers
MVP is leaving WWE, and already making his first steps.
In a surprise appearance, MVP came to the ring following Barnett’s match against Bad Dude Tito at Bloodsport XI on Sunday. He said he recently got his black belt in jiu jitsu and his contract with a company he wouldn’t mention (WWE) is about to expire, and he’s not going back. He said he has things he wants to do before retiring and issued the challenge. Barnett replied that he didn’t even had to ask, and he’s welcome to come in on his own or with a posse.
MVP is here and has challenged Josh Barnett to a match in Bloodsport.
Last week, it was reported that both Bobby Lashley and MVP would be leaving WWE when their contracts come up shortly and would be trying to reform the Hurt Business stable with Shelton Benjamin, possibly in AEW. Later in the week, MVP reflected on his current WWE run on Instagram.
While talking to local media in London after meeting with the mayor about potentially bringing WrestleMania to the city, Levesque didn’t give an update on the status of Lashley or MVP.
“Just like any sport, any business, we sign talent, talent contract runs out, we release talent. It’s just part of the process, so it’s an ongoing thing,” he said.
MVP has rarely been seen on television in 2024, most recently accompanying Omos to the ring for the Andre the Giant battle royal that took place on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 40.
Michael Alfonso, best known as Mike Awesome and in Japan as The Gladiator, a two-time ECW champion who was probably the most spectacular flier of his size in wrestling, was found dead by friends on 2/17, presumably form a suicide as he was hanging at his home. He was 42.
According to police reports, Alfonso, who lived in Tampa, was going to go out with friends on Saturday night. When they came to get him at about 10:30 p.m., he didn’t answer the door. However, one of them saw him hanging through the window and called police but he was already dead. There is no information regarding any suicide note or depression, but his friends in Japan were saying he had a bad last few days before his apparent suicide. His health had started to take a turn for the worst in 2006 as well.
Alfonso, who was a relative of Hulk Hogan’s, grew up with Hulk’s nephew Mike Bollea, who wrestled most of his career as Horace Hogan. Alfonso’s father’s sister married Hulk Hogan’s oldest brother. The couple’s oldest son was Mike Bollea. Alfonso and Mike Bollea grew up together, decided to be wrestlers together, broke in together, and were a tag team in Japan for years.
At a San Diego Comic-Con panel on Thursday, Ronda Rousey made a significant life announcement.
Rousey revealed that she and husband Travis Browne are expecting their second child together. The panel, which was hosted by fellow former WWE star Dave Bautista, was to promote the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for Rousey’s first graphic novel.
In September 2021, Rousey and Browne welcomed the birth of their daughter La’akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne. Rousey is also a stepmom to Browne’s two sons from a previous marriage. She and Browne began dating when they were both UFC fighters. The couple has been married since 2017.
“Expecting the Unexpected,” Rousey’s graphic novel, draws inspiration from Rousey’s journey to becoming a mother. The main characters in the story are based on Rousey and Browne.
Rousey departed WWE in August 2023 and has not wrestled anywhere since last November. Though she’s been heavily critical of WWE’s old regime, Rousey has expressed optimism that things are getting better for the women’s division in the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era.
“There was a point after we had the main event of WrestleMania that I feel like WWE took several steps back, but now that Vince McMahon is gone and Triple H is at the helm, I feel we are taking steps forward again,” she told TV Insider. “I’m extremely encouraged by what is happening across the entire industry.”
Josh Barnett will be taking part in the action at his Bloodsport event in New York City this weekend.
This Sunday, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI takes place from Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn. Barnett vs. Bad Dude Tito is the latest match to be announced for the event. It’s an MMA-inspired pro wrestling show where matches can only be won by knockout or submission.
Since 2019, Barnett and Game Changer Wrestling have partnered together for Bloodsport. Barnett has a 5-2 record in Bloodsport matches along with one time-limit draw. He lost to Jon Moxley at Bloodsport Bushido in Japan last month.
Bad Dude Tito has a 2-4 record in Bloodsport. He also wrestles for MLW and NJPW Strong.
Bloodsport XI will air live on Triller TV+. The announced lineup for the event is listed below:
Ronda Rousey says she would step back inside the octagon again if it wasn’t for her wanting to have a lot of kids.
During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Rousey commented on fans who still ask about her possible return to the UFC.
“I appreciate when people ask,” said Rousey, who hasn’t fought since December 30, 2016. “Maybe it means they still miss me.”
However, Rousey continued to say that her priorities are being a mother and working on her writing projects at the moment.
“If I could, I definitely would,” said Rousey regarding a return to the octagon. “If I want to have a whole basketball team full of kids, I can’t take any more detours. I’ve always wanted to be a mom with a lot of kids.”
Rousey published her second memoir, Our Fight, earlier this year. Currently, she is promoting the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for her graphic novel “Expecting the Unexpected.”
A description of the book reads:
“Her codename: ‘Mom.’ With a fake baby bump filled with guns, she’s built a reputation as one of the deadliest hit-women on the planet. But on the verge of her big break in the criminal underworld, Mom makes a fateful decision: sleeping with a potential target (who just so happens to be a top-ranked assassin himself). A few weeks later, Mom finds that her codename is about to become a whole lot more literal. What follows is a wild mashup of action, adventure, comedy, and romance as a newly pregnant Mom with a bounty on her head fights off wave after wave of assassins, falls in love with her baby daddy, and decides how to face her personal and professional predicament. EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED sets a new bar for the authenticity of fight scenes through a unique creative process developed by Rousey, Deodato, and AWA.”
Rousey opened up to Sports Illustrated regarding how dedicated she is to her writing at the moment, noting that she received an internship with WME.
“I’ve put every fiber of my being into this,” said Rousey. “It’s a real labor of love.”
“I wanted to learn to write a screenplay,” she continued. “That’s how my obsession began with screenwriting. I read every book about it I could, and then I got an internship at WME in the story department.”
Rousey continued to say developing the story in Expecting The Unexpected is what led to her starting her writing journey, something she now believes could be what she was always meant to do.
“Even though I sold a different screenplay to Nextflix, it was this first story that started it all. I loved it so much I couldn’t let it collect dust, and I thought comic publishers might be interested.”
“This story, for the longest time, I was the only one to believe in it,” said Rousey. “Now it’s starting to gain all these believers. It’s been so rewarding. I get so much satisfaction out of the whole process. I’m at the point where I’m thinking maybe this is what I was always meant to do.”
The former Jinder Mahal’s first match for GCW is set.
On Sunday, the company announced on X that Mahal’s first match will be against Effy on August 2 in Cleveland, Ohio. Mahal will be wrestling under the name “The Maharaja” Raj Dhesi moving forward.
*CLEVELAND UPDATE*
Just Signed:
THE MAHARAJA vs EFFY
Plus: Zilla Fatu vs Josh Bishop Maki Itoh vs JWM Matt Hardy makes his in-ring debut! Mance vs ? Janela vs ? Nick Gage Matt Cardona +more!
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) July 21, 2024
The match announcement follows an angle that took place this past Friday night at GCW’s So High event. Mahal entered the ring following a Effy/Cole Radick tag team match under a mask and laid out Effy with the Khallas, unmasking himself soon after.
On X, Mahal said he would raise GCW to his standards and become their champion. He said he also witnessed “recreational drug use” among other things backstage and claimed that Matt Cardona has done a terrible job as GCW General Manager.
Mahal was released from WWE back in April. After Mahal lost a match to Seth Rollins earlier in the year, he had largely been off WWE TV prior to his release with the exception of an appearance in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 40.
After a seven-year absence, Ibushi made a surprise appearance at DDT Peter Pan today at the Ryōgoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo. He appeared during the Weapons Rumble match between Danshoku Dino and DDT-founder Sanshiro Takagi for the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship on the show. Ibushi was one of Dino’s “weapons” in the match.
Takagi: Like hell I can retire (crying). To think Ibushi and Michael would come. I really thought of retiring for real too…
Dieno: I really want to say this, but this is DDT. Whatever your perception is DDT is fine. Amongst all the… pic.twitter.com/GJkMAge6XR
— DDT Pro-Wrestling (English) (@ddtproENG) July 21, 2024
Ibushi recently celebrated his 20th anniversary in wrestling with a five-minute exhibition match against Daisuke Sekimoto in Tokyo Dome City Hall for GLEAT last month. He hasn’t wrestled a full match since his bout against Naomichi Marufuji for Pro Wrestling NOAH in January. Ibushi was hampered by injuries coming into the match and he would later apologize for his performance.
DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion Danshoku Dino defeated Sanshiro Takagi in a Weapons Rumble match to retain his title
Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated KO-D Six Man Champions Akito, HARASHIMA & Yasu Urano and Antonio Honda, Masahiro Takanashi & Takeshi Masada and Shunma Katsumata, To-y & Aja Kong in a four-way to win the titles
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Masato Tanaka
KO-D Tag Team Champions Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Ino defeated Atsushi Kotoge & Go Shiozaki to retain their titles
El Desperado defeated Chris Brookes in a no-disqualification match
KO-D Openweight Champion Yuki Ueno defeated MAO to retain his title
