Tag: headline

Sheamus teases WWE in-ring comeback on social media

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Sheamus fueled the speculation of his WWE in-ring comeback by sharing a series of training photos.

Sidelined with a shoulder injury, the former World Champion Sheamus was recently at the WWE Performance Center, training and working out in the ring.

He shared a carousel of photos from his training session on social media with the caption, “A fun day.” Sheamus was seen training with WWE NXT wrestlers Myles Borne, Hank Walker, and Tank Ledger. He also posted an aftermath image of the session with welts on his back.

The 48-year-old was last seen wrestling on the November 17, 2025, episode of WWE RAW, where he teamed up with Rey Mysterio and John Cena to defeat The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh). He was also scheduled to be a part of John Cena’s retirement Last Time is Now tournament. However, he was ruled out of it due to the shoulder injury. Shortly after, he underwent surgery in December.

Despite the tease on social media, there are currently no confirmed updates on Sheamus’ in-ring comeback.

Natalya is ‘blown away’ by Undertaker & Jeremy Borash’s work in AAA

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Natalya recently revealed her reaction to The Undertaker & Jeremy Borash’s AAA work.

Ever since WWE acquired AAA last year, 2025, the promotion has seen a significant rise in mainstream wrestling as well as heaps of compliments on its booking.

WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker is one of the main heads behind AAA’s booking and creative. Recently, fans and critics have heaped praise on the legend for his booking and content direction in AAA. Alongside The Undertaker, WWE’s Vice President of Content and Development, Jeremy Borash, is also one of the names responsible for AAA’s current rise.

Recently speaking on The Busted Open Radio, Natalya heaped praise and exclaimed how she was “blown away” by their work in AAA.

“I will say that [The Undertaker]Taker and Jeremy Borash – Jeremy Borash, he works alongside Taker at AAA. A lot of people know JB as being somebody that puts together the most amazing video packages in WWE. He puts together, if you see some of the best video packages in the company, usually JB is behind a lot of them,” she said.

“And so to see what Taker, who by the way – Taker is not known for being a luchador. When you see what Undertaker has built in just the last six months of booking at AAA alongside Jeremy Borash and, of course, the people that had been in place in Triple A that work with them. Taker is very, very collaborative.

“I’m just blown away. Like, I think that Taker has really stepped into this new role and he is proving why his influence past the ring may be one of his greatest accomplishments,” she added.

AAA recently hosted the Noches de Los Grandes event, which was headlined by the highly acclaimed El Grande Americano mask vs. mask match.

AEW’s Hook announced for World title match

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AEW wrestler Hook is scheduled to compete for the GCW World Championship.

The former FTW Champion was announced as part of two GCW events [Game Changer Wrestling]. He is set to make his much-awaited GCW debut against Joey Janela at GCW Race Against Time on June 16, 2026.

He is then set to follow it up with another appearance on GCW Amerika’s Most Wanted in Los Angeles on June 27, 2026. Here, he is scheduled to challenge Atticus Cogar for the GCW World Championship. GCW Amerika’s Most Wanted is set to take place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Hook is currently an active part of the AEW roster, where he most recently competed on the Double or Nothing match card, teaming with The Opps (Anthony Bowens & Katsuyori Shibata) in a loss against The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, & Daniel Garcia). The son of wrestling veteran Taz, Hook is also The Opps’ acting leader during Samoa Joe’s absence.

Two title matches added to next week’s TNA Impact lineup

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

TNA has announced two championship matches for next week’s lineup.

Following the Thursday, June 4, 2026 episode of TNA Impact, the promotion confirmed two new title bouts for next week’s June 11, 2026 TNA Impact lineup.

TNA World Champion Mike Santana will defend his championship against Eric Young on next week’s episode. Fans witnessed Young deliver a low-blow and a piledriver to Santana on the June 4 episode.

Also, on next week’s June 11 episode, Mustafa Ali will defend his TNA International Championship against KC Navarro. Navarro earned the title opportunity by pinning Ali in the Champions Challenge on the May 28, 2026, episode.

Currently, both Ali and Santana are also scheduled to defend their titles on the upcoming TNA Slammiversary show on June 28, 2026.

As of now, no more matches have been added to next week’s lineup.

TNA Impact lineup | June 11, 2026

  • Mike Santana vs. Eric Young for the TNA World Championship
  • Mustafa Ali vs. KC Navarro for the TNA International Championship

Mr.Elegance wins intergender match on TNA Impact

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The latest episode of TNA Impact saw an intergender match between Mr.Elegance and Lei Ying Lee.

On Thursday, during the June 4, 2026, episode of TNA Impact, fans witnessed an intergender singles match between Mr. Elegance and the Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee, which the former won.

While the initial stage of the match was dominated by Lee, midway through it, fans saw the Elegance Brand (M by Elegance, Heather by Elegance & The Personal Concierge) interfere and then get ejected from ringside.

However, the closing moments of the bout saw Lee’s upcoming Slammiversary Knockouts title opponent, Xia Brookside, distract her. As Lee knocked Brookside from the apron, Mr.Elegance found an opportunity to capitalize. He gained an upper hand on Lee and dominated her throughout the rest of the match and eventually gained a pinfall victory over her. This marked Lee’s second pinfall loss in two weeks, after Brookside had pinned her during last week’s Impact’s Champions Challenge match.

Tonight’s episode also featured a mixed-gender tag-team match involving Santino Marella & Indi Hartwell against Channing Stacks & Arianna Grace.

WWE ID talents pulled from upcoming indie show

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Several WWE ID talents have been pulled away from Dreamwave Wrestling due to contractual obligations.

Independent wrestling promotion Dreamwave Wrestling is moving closer to its All Star Weekend event(s) on June 19th and June 20th.

Dreamwave Wrestling promotion recently shared an announcement on their social media that multiple WWE I.D. talents have been pulled from their upcoming All Star Weekend shows. Contractual obligations were revealed as the reason behind WWE ID talents getting pulled from the show.

Veronica Haven (Fallyn Grey), Sloane Jacobs (The Notorious Mimi), Anya Rune (Airica Demia), and Laynie Luck (WWE I.D. Women’s Champion) were some of the names pulled away from the shows. It was also announced that Aminah Belmont will no longer compete at the upcoming Dreamwave wrestling show due to injury.

“Due to a WWE contractual obligation that everyone was informed of today, the following talent will not be appearing at [All Star Weekend] on June 19th and 20th. Veronica Haven (Fallyn Grey), Sloane Jacobs (The Notorious Mimi), Anya Rune (Airica Demia), Laynie Luck,” the wrestling promotion’s official statement read. “Due to an injury, Aminah Belmont will not be competing at All Star Weekend. We wish her a speedy recovery! We apologize for the inconvenience, any matches already announced will be updated soon.”

Will Ospreay responds to criticism comparing his career & AAA mask vs. mask match

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Will Ospreay has reacted to a critique regarding the comparison between his career and the recent El Grande Americano vs. OG El Grande Americano mask vs. mask match at AAA Noche de Los Grandes.

Ospreay responded to the clip of Wrestling Republic praising the mask vs. mask match where a comparison was made between that and Ospreay’s matches, saying that it will be remembered more.

“Yet 10 years on people still talk about the ricochet match. I still get tagged in the Ibushi rana spot. First British person to ever win the IWGP title. Had Assassins Creed rehire Ezio to narrate me to Wembley,” Ospreay wrote as shared some of his own historic moments.

“And if you can’t remember any of the matches is because people barely remember what happened last week let alone 14 years of consistently being on top my field without ever being promoted by anything from the Fed,” he further continued.

While the British wrestler listed down his own achievements, he also paid his due respect to the mask vs. mask match.

“Mask vs mask was fucking awesome, won’t take anything away from it but I’m in my own lane never trying to compete with anyone but myself. But continue the conversation, I’ll keep myself busy making towns.”

Ben Allison, who previously made the remark, later clarified what he meant and responded to Ospreay’s statement.

“To be clear – I didn’t say it’s more memorable than anything you’ve done, as it simply isn’t, I said I believe in the HISTORY BOOKS in 30 years it’ll be remembered more than any specific match you’ve had up to this point. The ricochet one could easily be argued, but I still think the concept of a mask vs mask match where everyone knew who both guys were under the mask, but it still did the biggest numbers in the history of AAA, will be written about more. As I said, I do STRONGLY believe you are the best in the world right now.

“In the full clip that’s not what I’m saying at all! I’m saying the match will be remember in 30-40 years than any of this generations other top matches including any from Will Ospreay. The reason Ospreay was used is because like I said, I believe he is the best in the world so best example to use,” Allison further clarified.

LA Knight details early frustrations after WWE call-up, bizarre Vince McMahon instructions

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

LA Knight recently reflected on his WWE main-roster call-up and conversation with Vince McMahon.

Despite being one of the most popular and over wrestlers on the WWE roster, Knight has not yet enjoyed a dominant main-roster run. In addition to his current lack of direction, Knight also had some early main-roster call-up frustrations.

In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, the former WWE United States Champion recalled his jump to the main roster and transition to Max Dupri from LA Knight.

“Vince [McMahon] told me before, ‘You gotta talk soft, I don’t want you to say or do any of the things that you used to do, none of that, whatever.’ If I’m honest, though, he wasn’t familiar with any of it. He didn’t know LA Knight. I think he was told a little bit,” Knight said.

The 43-year-old further said that while McMahon was impressed with his singles match against Roderick Strong, he hesitated because of his age. McMahon was allegedly not interested in pushing a 39-year-old Knight and instead wanted him as a manager.

“That first day of introducing the models, and we’re doing the little rehearsal thing, talk-through. And he comes down, and he’s like, ‘I need you to talk softer.’ And I’m like, okay, well, I’m thinking like, you had me talking soft in the backstage, but like now I’m doing a presentation. I need to be a little bigger, right? To present to the people. But it’s his show. Sure. And he goes, ‘Just read me a line from there as softly as you can.’ He’s like, ‘I don’t think you can be effeminate, but try and be effeminate without being effeminate.’ What?” he added.

What was the idea behind LA Knight’s Max Dupri character in WWE?

Further continuing the conversation, Knight recalled how he was initially given the impression that the Max Dupri character would take a trajectory similar to Roddy Piper.

“The bill of goods that was sold to me there was that I was going to be kind of a Roddy Piper. In the sense of when Roddy first came in, he was like a manager, a mouthpiece that then sometimes wrestled, and then eventually just became a full-time wrestler. That was kind of how it was painted to me.”

Paired with Maxxine Dupri on the main roster, the Max Dupri character never took off, and the former champion was slowly transitioned back into his LA Knight character.

TNA Impact live results: The Hardys vs. The Righteous Wicked Garden match

Posted on by Jeff Moss

TNA Impact travels to the Wicked Garden tonight.

A Wicked Garden match with Vincent and Dutch (The Righteous) against Matt and Jeff Hardy is scheduled for tonight’s show.

Also scheduled, Stacks and Arianna Grace will wrestle Grace’s father, Santino Marella, and Indi Hartwell in tag team action.

AJ Francis is advertised for the show, though it’s not clear what he will be doing.

Eddie Edwards vs. BDE is set for singles action.

Eric Young is also advertised for the show, though it’s not clear what he will be doing.

In a mixed singles bout, TNA Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee will wrestle Mr. Elegance of The Elegance Brand.

TNA Impact lineup for tonight:

  • A Wicked Garden match with Vincent & Dutch vs. Matt & Jeff Hardy
  • Stacks & Arianna Grace vs. Santino Marella & Indi Hartwell
  • Eddie Edwards vs. BDE
  • TNA Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee vs. Mr. Elegance
  • AJ Francis advertised
  • Eric Young advertised

Our live coverage kicks off at 9 p.m. Eastern.

*******************************

“I wanna run through your wicked garden
Heard that’s the place to find you
‘Cause I’m alive, so alive now
I know the darkness blinds you”

Welcome in friends to TNA where they love a good car crash because becuase they’re full of high-impact action! Tonight we hear from AJ Francis (I’m just speculating, but I bet he says ‘money’ a lot) and Eric Young (who’s currently suing RFK for stealing his voice).

We also get a rare Inter-gender match, a mixed tag bout and a Stone Temple Pilots concert with the Hardys and the Righteous! But to kick things off:

Eddie Edwards vs BDE

Edwards its looking to show the world that he’s still got what it takes to be in the TNA Title picture. And if it means going through BDE to do it, well, then that’s probably whats going to happen I guess.

Edwards had a size advantage over BDE, but BDE brought the speed and got the first hit of the match in off of a springboard crossbody. He went up top, but Edwards was ready for it and crotched him on the turnbuckle. Edwards then hit a massive superplex off the top, but BDE kicked out of the cover.

BDE came back swinging, throwing jabs at Edwards’ face. He then hit a modified unprettier, but Edwards kicked out at two. BDE countered Edward’s attempt at a blue thunder bomb and hit him with double knees. Then Alicia Edwards got up on the apron to cause a distraction, but BDE was able to shake it off and hit a springboard cutter on Edwards (Eddie, not Alicia).

BDE went for a frog splash, but Edwards got the knees up and hit him with a Boston Knee Party (I love that name). Edwards made the cover and picked up the win.

Match Result: Eddie Edwards defeated BDE

After the matchj, Fabian Aichner came stomping down to the ring and single-handedly took out the System. Haha, no he didn’t! Aichner fell victim to the damn numbers game, but then Leon Slater showed up to even the odds. Aichner, BDE and Slater took out The System, but it should be noted, they did not beat them.

A cinematic, pre-taped promo for the Wicked Garden match aired next and it was exactly as weird as you think it would be, without telling us anything about the match itself.

Back from a break, AJ Francis made his way to the ring. Last week, Elijah rejected his offer to make music together, so this week, Francis is looking for money, money (sigh) money. Francis made fun of his former friends KC Navarro and Rich Swann, and then debuted his brand new song called “Walk.”

It made R-truth’s “What’s Up” look like Jay-Z’s “Encore.”

Francis’ “rap” was interrupted by Elijah who came out and said that he heard his guitar sampled in the song and walking is his thing, so he came out to see what was going on.

He accused Francis of using ChatGPT to rip him off. Francis then handed him a cease and desist letter. Last week, after Elijah refused to collaborate with him, Francis went and trademarked the look and name of Elias, Elijah and Ezekiel. Somehow, that also gave Francis ownership of all of Elijah’s music.

Elijah said he didn’t care about the legality and wanted to debut is new song “No Skill Uncle Phil.” Francis punched him in the face and that mercifully ended the segment.

-Back from break Elayna Black cut a promo from backstage about how she’s better than everyone. She then took aim at Indi hartwell who she accused of trying to suck up to the boss instead of getting by on talent, like Black does.

Mixed Tag Match: Santino Marella & Indi Hartwell vs Arianna Grace & Stacks

It’s a tale as old as time. Dad is a wrestler, so his daughter becomes a wrestler. Daughter starts dating a guy who’s a bit of a jerk, Dad takes away her Knockouts title. Then Indi Hartwell gets involved somewhere a long the line. Like I said, tale as old as time.

Also, Frankie Kazarian joined commentary under the orders of Daria Rae for some reason.

Also, Also: As someone from Missussauga, Ontario, Canada I love that Santino is billed as from there.

Santino and Stacks started things off, picking up where they left off last week in their singles bout. Immediately, Stacks tagged in Grance who yelled at Santino, eventually shoving her father. That brought Hartwell in to shove Grace, and then Stacks started fighting with Santino.

Somewhere in there, the match started.

Santino fought out of the corner, throwing punches at Stacks. Stacks sent him off the ropes and Santino grabbed a sleeper. Stacks elbowed himself free and then before he could do anything, we went to commercial break.

8 minutes later (seriously) we were back and Stacks went to mock Santino with a saluting headbutt, but Santino moved and sent him out of the ring. Hartwell tagged in, which brought in Grace. Hartwell hit a spinebuster and then got Grace on her shoulders. Grace wiggled out of it and started stomping Hartwell in the corner.

Grace hit a swinging neckbreaker, but Hartwell kicked out at two. Grace hit a suplex and running elbow off the ropes, but still no cover. Grace grabbed a headlock, preventing Hartwell for making a tag. Hartwell got free and the two collided in simultaneous clotheslines.

Santino and Stacks tagged in and Santino dropped him with an armbar. That brought out the Cobra, but Grace snatched it from her father. Stacks held Santino, but when Grace went to strike, Santino ducked and Stacks took the brunt of the Cobra.

Santino brought out a backup cobra and Hartwell put on the other one and they hit stereo cobras on Grace and Stacks. Santino made the pin and they picked up the vctory.

Match Result: Santino Marella & Indi Hartwell defeated Arianna Grace & Stacks

Back from break, the Elegance brand discussed Mr Elegance but then the lights went out and when they came back on, the Goth Girls were there, leading to the Elegance Brand running away.

Then Eric Young was in the ring. He said that TNA was a place of lies and false heroes like Joe Hendry and EC3, who Young chased out of TNA. He claimed that Mike Santana is sick with ego, selfishness and an addiction to crowd applause and approval.

He then said that he is going to beat Santana because he doesn’t need those things. That summoned Santana who Yeeted his way through the crowd to the ring. He grabbed a mic and said that Young was just bitter and irrelevant.

Young said hes been around a long time and has watched TNA rot from the inside due to people like Santana. Santana responded by saying that Young was just an old failure. Young then said that all the crowd cares about is a shiny new toy and once the shine was off of Santana, they will turn on him.

Young then said that he was going to take his power back by piledriving Santana and taking his belt. Santana said that next week he’s going to break his foot off in Young’s posterior. He then said maybe they should do it right here, right now. So, Young kicked him in the crotch and hit him with a piledriver. He then posed with the belt as we went to break.

-Back from said break, TNA International Champion Mustafa Ali called KC Navarro earning a shot at his title a fluke and he will prove it next week.

Intergender Match: TNA Knockouts World Champion Léi Yǐng Lee vs Mr. Elegance

As the doctor said to me at my last colonoscopy, “hang on to something, because this is happening.”

On the way to the ring, the Concierge took an arguably racist swipe at Lei Ying Lee while introducing Mr Elegance. Xia Brookside then joined commentary and her first words were “I don’t know why I’m here.”

Mr Elegance began the match by dancing, shoving Lee to the mat, then dancing some more. Lee then tripped him and mocked him before laying him out with an armdrag. She sent him to the corner for exactly 10 punches and the rest of the Elegance brand hopped up to cause a distraction. So, the ref ejected them from ringside.

Lee tried to pick up Mr in a suplex, but he countered it and danced some more before giving Lee a Devil’s Kiss. He then posed some more until Lee punched him in the gut. Mr dodged a spin kick and dropped Lee with a big left hand punch.

Lee fought back with a flurry of kicks and punches and then got Mr in an ankle lock. He managed to get to the ropes to break the hold, but Lee flapjacked him for a two count. Lee then tried to get him up on her shoulders, but Mr responded with a pop up strike.

He took too much time on the top rope though and Lee crotched him on the turnbuckle. She then went to spin slam him, but Brookside caused a distraction allowing Mr to hit Excuse Moi and pick up the victory.

Match Result: Mr. Elegance defeated Léi Yǐng Lee

After the match, Brookside grabbed a mic and cut a promo over the unconscious Lee. She revealed that their match was official for Slammiversary and then left.

Wicked Garden Match: The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) vs The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent)

“I wanna run through your wicked garden
Heard that’s the place to find you
‘Cause I’m alive, so alive now
I know the darkness blinds you”

So, the Hardys and the Righteous have been neck and neck in the battle of who can be weirder. Last time they met, the Broken Hardys (and even Willow) showed up to help Matt gain a singles victory over Vincent. Tonight, The Righteous are hosting a “Wicked Garden” match which boils down to a street fight with a lot of lattice, flowers and barbed wire wrapped around the ropes. No countouts, no DQ, pin must be in the ring.

The Righteous came to the ring crowned in barbed wire and flowers along with about 30 members of their cult who surrounded the ring, which had me asking, why not just beat up the Hardys 30 on 2? But my thought was interrupted by the entrance of Broken Matt and Brother Nero. The cult members then all left as we went to a commercial break.

When we came back, the bell rang and the match was on. After a prolonged staredown, Matt and Dutch started brawling as did Jeff and Vincent. The Righteous went to whip the hardys into the barbed wire, but they were able to pull back just in time.

Jeff then arm dragged Dutch through one of the lattice pieces coverd in barbed wire and flowers. Vincent then shoved him into the barbed wire wrapped ropes. Matt made the save with an inverted DDT and grabbed a gardening rake. He, well, raked it across Dutch’s face while Jeff stomped Vincent.

Vincent hit a side slam on Matt and then raked it across Matt’s forehead. He turned to Jeff, who hit him with an atomic drop then a pair of dropkicks for a two count. The Hardys then hit a series of combo movies on the Righteous, sending Dutch and Vincent to the outside.

Jeff emptied a bottle of whatever sports drink sponsors TNA onto Dutch and then we went to commercial break.

Back from break, everyone was bloodier, but we won’t bore you with the details of their brutal battle.

Vincent broke some lattice over Jeff and tore his shirt off. Dutch choked Matt in the ring, going for a cover but only getting a two count. Vincent dumped Jeff back into the ring and wrapped his fist in barbed wire to punch Jeff. On the other side of the ring, Matt did the same to Dutch, then low blowed him with the wire.

Jeff got tanlged in the barbed wire, but Matt hit a twist of fate on Vincent to give him space to get free. They wrapped Vincent in a barbed wire crown and then a bloody Dutch came in for a save. The Hardys double suplexed him for his trouble, then put the barbed wire in his mouth. Ew.

Vincent saved Dutch and the Hardys whipped him into the corner for Poetry In Motion. Matt hit a Side Effect on Dutchm but only got a two count. He set him up for a Twist of Fate, but Dutch ran him through the lattice, knocking Jeff off the top turnbuckle in the process.

A kendo stick appeared in Vincent’s hands and he beat up Jeff with it. He and Dutch then tied Jeff to the ropes with some barbed wire. Vincent then pulled out a flower from a pouch, making sure not to touch it. They they forced it into Jeff’s mouth. He collapsed, presumeably because the flower was poisonous?

Matt took out Dutch and Vincent and Jeff stumbled off the ropes, dazed. He then convulsed and slipped out of the ring. Vincent grabbed Matt and threw him at Dutch for a lariat. On the outside Jeff collapsed again, foaming at the mouth.

As they put Jeff on the stretcher, Vincent cackled “I hope you liked meeting Lily of The Valley, Brother Nero.” Then Jeff jumped up and ran back to the ring, flailing into a shot from Dutch before passing out. The Righteous hit Orange Sunshine and got the pin to end the match.

Match Result: The Righteous defeated The Hardys

After the match, the Righteous posed in the ring. Suddenly the lights went out and when they came back on, the Hardys were gone.

ROH live results: Athena vs. Hyan, Lee Moriarty vs. Mance Warner

Posted on by Marc Quill

Ring of Honor is back on HonorClub tonight.

Three proving ground matches are scheduled for tonight’s show.

ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo will wrestle Isla Dawn in a proving ground match. If Dawn can defeat Purrazzo or last the time limit, she will earn a future shot at the title.

ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty will wrestle Mance Warner in a proving ground match as well.

The Kingdom are back. Mike Bennett and Matt Taven will wrestle Alec Price and Jordan Oliver in tag team competition.

ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will wrestle Hyan in a proving ground match.

Full lineup for tonight’s ROH on HonorClub:

  • Lacey Lane vs. Queen Aminata
  • ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Isla Dawn in a proving ground match
  • ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty vs. Mance Warner in a proving ground match
  • Mike Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Alec Price & Jordan Oliver
  • ROH Women’s World Champion Athena vs. Hyan in a proving ground match

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.

************************

– We got right into it as Ian Riccaboni welcomed us to tonight’s show.

Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) vs. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed)

We got underway with Drake hitting Wentz with a cheapshot from behind as he then took a shot at Reed in the Rascalz corner. Gibson tagged in, but it gave Wentz time to get away and tag in his partner Myron Reed. The Rascalz hit the GYV with stereo superkicks that sent them out of the ring, followed by the dual suicide dives to Drake and Gibson. Back in the ring, Wentz and Reed used double team mvoes to take Drake out of the equation before a double clothesline from Gibson stopped the momentum briefly. Hurricanrana by Reed led to nowhere as Gibson avoided the crossbody. The tag to Drake as the jumping dropkick took down Wentz from the apron.

Gibson choked Reed in the GYV corner while the ref was distracted as he and Drake had control of the match. Legal man Drake attempted a suplex, but Reed turned that into a cutter. The momentum of th emove sent Drake stumbling back into his corner as Gibson tagged in. The speedy Reed acrobatically avoided Gibson’s attack, then following that with a clothesline. The hot tag to Wentz led to a German suplex to Drake. In the corner, the high knee from Wentz was followed by a rolling snapmare and a P.K. Blockbuster to Gibson from Wentz followed by the high crossbody. Double-knee codebreaker to Gibson by Wentz, as Reed tagged himself into the match. 450 attempt by Reed was blocked and turned into an inside cradle by Drake, but Reed kicked out at two. The GYV attempted the Doomsday Device on Reed, but couldn’t execute. Superkick to Drake by Reed as the tag made to Wentz. Double-leg take down from Wentz as he then headed up top for the double stomps, but that waas not enough.

Outside the ring, Reed was sent into the ringbost by Drake, but a diving attack by Wentz took him out. Inside the ring, the facebuster from Gibson was somehow not enough to put Wentz away. The tag to Drake as he hit a coast-to-coast dropkick, but Wentz again was able to kick out in the nick of time. Another tag as the GYV looked to have this match won, but Reed recovered and took Drake out with a leaping cutter to the outside of the ring. Springboard cutter by Wentz was followed by the barrage of 450s from the Rascalz and that’s the match, over.

The Rascalz def. Grizzled Young Veterans via pinfall

Frenetic opener to get the night’s action going. I wouldn’t mind seeing these two teams mix it up in the near future.

************************

– Backstage we got remarks from Athena ahead of her Proving Ground match against Hyan later on tonight’s show. Athena talked about what lied ahead of her, namely Global Wars Cincinnati. Athena said that she was going to defeat her Global Wars opponent…. Syuri, with this match for the ROH World Championship.

Lacey Lane vs. Queen Aminata

Lane and Aminata adhered to the Code of Honor before we got underway as Lane ducked underneath a clothesline from Aminata. Side headlock takeover by Aminata, but Lane turned that into an escalara. Armdrag by Lane forced Aminata to retreat to the outside. Slide to ringside from Lane was met with a slap from Aminata. Lane regained momentum with a dropkick to the side of Aminata, followed by a high crossbody to ringside. As Aminata got back into the ring, she caught Lane with a running big boot that left her reeling at ringside.

Aminata headed back out and blasted Lane with a hard chop to the chest before she threw her opponent back into the ring. The cover, but Lane kicked out at two. Spinning neckbreaker by Aminata was again kicked out of by Lane on the pinfall attempt. Aminata lifted her up for a sidewalk slam, as she followed it with a modified Rings of Saturn, but Lane got out of it by rolling through of the hold.

Lane tripped up Aminata and got her with the kick to the face. With Aminata in a prone position in the corner, Lane hit her with the running dropkick. Spinning splash to Aminata got a near-fall for Lane. A hard series of chops to the chest from Lane led to a faceoff between the two in the middle of the ring. With words exchanged, Lane and Aminata traded strikes until a headbutt from the latter nearly had the match won. Aminata pressed her foot to Lane’s face and mockingly kicked at her while arguing with the referee. Hammerlock Flatliner by Lane, but Aminata managed to kick out at two. German suplex by Aminata, soon was followed by the high-impact running boot against the lower ropes, and the three for the win.

Post-match, Aminata picked up Lane and gave her a hug in a show of respect.

Queen Aminata def. Lacey Lane via pinfall

This was a nice hard-hitting match. Both Aminata and Lacey are great talents and I’m glad they got their chance to shine here.

************************

– We got remarks from Bustah and the Brain, Alec Price and Jordan Oliver, who talked trash about The Kingdom ahead of their tag match against Matt Taven & Mike Bennett.

Bruss Hamilton, Alex Kane, Kiran Gray vs. Los Colons (Eddie & Orlando Colon) & Serpentico

Kane started off strong with a shoulderblock on Orlando Colon, but was met with a dropkick. Sunset flip, but Eddie tagged into the match as he and Serpentico kept Kane in place with the chop to the chest. Hurricanrana by legal man Serpentico on Kane led to Bruss entering the match. Serpentico posed and flex as he tried to hit a crossbody. Bruss caught him and lifted him high for the Snake Eyes as Kane tagged in and got the suplex on Serpentico. Bruss tagged in again and kept Serpentico isolated from the Colons with a running splash attack. Now it was time for Kiran to enter the match as he swept Serpentico’s leg.

Serpentico was still left alone as Kane and Hamilton attempted a double back suplex. Serpentico landed on his feet on the big men’s corner, but he dodged running attacks to get a brief respite. Double big boots to Kane and Bruss just as Kiran tagged in. Eddie with the hot tag as he got Kiran with the leaping back elbow. The leg drop by Eddie and the pinfall attempt, but Kane broke up the count and held Orlando in place, but Bruss ran into him after Orlando dodged. Serpentico took out Kane and Bruss with a double suicide dive. In the ring, Kiran was left wide open for the Backstabber by Eddie, and a Frog Splash from Orlando for the victory.

Los Colon & Serpentico def. Kiran Gray, Alex Kane, & Bruss Hamilton via pinfall

This was an alright match. Not necessarily a favorite of mine, but it was great to see Serpentico to get a win.

************************

– We got remarks from Isla Dawn as she got set to face Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo in a Proving Ground Match.

ROH Women’s Pure Championship Proving Ground: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Isla Dawn

Ten minute time limit here as we got underway with a slow, technical pace. Isla attempted to escape Purrazzo’s arm wrench, but couldn’t. This forced her to burn one of her three rope breaks. This gave Isla the chance to have Purrazzo trapped as she held on to both hands and got into a test of strength with the Women’s Pure Champion. Purrazzo broke free, but got struck hard by Isla. She responded with a big boot, followed by the fierce lariat. Attempt at a piledriver was blocked by Isla, as Purrazzo got pushed into the corner. Strikes to the chest, but Purrazzo broke free again. On the apron, Isla hit Purrazzo with a knee. She then followed this with the Meteora for a near-fall.

With Purrazzo in the corner, Isla ran into her with a back elbow. The hip attack by Isla as she applied a schoolyard press pin for another close count with the clock hitting the five minute mark. Isla kept the advantage with the snap suplex on Purrazzo. Big boot by Isla still wasn’t enough to secure the win. With five minutes remaining, Isla applied a modified London Dungeon submission, but the hold wasn’t secure enough. Double down from Isla and Purrazzo as they hit each other with simultaneous clotheslines. Purazzo got back up first and hit Isla with clotheslines, the side Russian leg sweep into the Fujiwara armbar. Isla was able to get out of the submission almost instantly. Isla with the lungblower as she hit the Saito suplex. One, two….. 2.9999999995!!!!! wiith three minutes remaining!

Purrazzo countered into a near-firewoman’s carry, as she then turned that into an armbar as she forced Isla to tap out with 2:15 left on the clock.

Deonna Purrazzo def. Isla Dawn via submisssio

************************

– The second part of Caprice Coleman’s interview with the “Forever” ROH World Women’s Champion Athena was shown. Coleman asked Athena about Billie Starkz, who she stated was the now at the moment. She said that Billie had what it takes to be successful in pro wrestling, which is why she keeps that M.I.T. contract so close. Until Billie could beat the “big bad wolf”, she’d stay a Minion in Training. Coleman asked Athena if Billie will ever think she’s that “big bad wolf”.

Athena defended her actions towards Billie as “tough love”. She said that if Billie did things her way, she fails, but if Billie did it Athena’s way, she succeeds like becoming a champion. Coleman said that he saw something in Billie that’s ticking and that Athena should be careful.

Again, Athena stated that Billie would be nothing without her, as Coleman suggested that her biggest challengers were the ones that Athena created. The “Forever Champion” stated that it might be by design.

Finally, Athena was asked “why Ring of Honor?” Athena said ROH meant so much to her as a kid, and that she saw an opportunity and built herself up, and those around her. Athena declared ROH was her show and that she’d be the Forever Champion for a long time, and it was time that everyone got over that fact.

Bryan Keith vs. Tommy Billington

Billington offered a handshake for the Code of Honor but Keith ignored it as he tried to ambush him. The Brit turned that into a German suplex into the side headlock takeover. Running shoulder block from Billington as he targeted Keith’s arms afterwards. The Bounty Hunter attempted an arm-wrench of his own, but got sent for a ride with a suplex from Billington. Keith backed Billington into the ropes and then hit him with a hard chop to the chest. Billington got a head of speed but it was a swing and a miss for the dropkick, as Keith then hit him with a powerful clothesline that sent the two out of the ring.

Keith chopped Billington’s chest, as he planted him head-first with the DDT onto the floor. Back inside the ring as Billington attempted to fight back. Thumb to the eye from Keith was met by a warning from the referee. Choking big boot to the face of Billington by Keith as he lifted him up for an Electric Chair-based moved. Victory roll counter by Billington couldn’t get the three. Keith responded with a hard lariat on his foe. Keith bit Billington in the corner, though he missed with the clothesline on the opposite side. Rollup pin by Billington was kicked out of, but he made no mistake with the spinning piledriver. Diving elbow from the top from Billington, but only a near-fall. Billington headed up to the top rope again, but Keith intercepted and had him in position for an Spanish Fly, but had to settle for a headbutt. Running big boot by Keith as he looked to go in for the kill.

Keith’s powerbomb was countered into a piledriver by Billington, but The Bounty Hunter still managed to kick out of the second piledriver. Keith pulled at the turnbuckle to block a waistlock from Billington, which forced the referee to put it back. This gave Keith the opening to hit Billington in the head with a fork. One Emerald Tiger Driver later, and this one was done.

Bryan Keith def. Tommy Billington via pinfall

With Big Bill set to make a return to WWE, it’s time for Bryan Keith to break out, and this win here is a good sign for him .

************************

– Backstage, Lacey Lane & Queen Aminata were interviewed. Lane stated that she and Aminata beat the hell out of each other and it only made her stronger, so she was ready to do it again. Aminiata obliged Lane’s challenge.

ROH Men’s Pure Championship Proving Ground: Lee Moriarty vs. Mance Warner

Ten-minute time limit here as Moriarty went for the cross armbar almost immediately, as Mance unknowningly put his foot on the rope to use the first of his three rope breaks. Mance bit at Moriarty’s fingers and got warned to stop it as he then threw his foe out of the ring. At ringside, Mance took it to Moriarty as he threw him right into the barricade repeatedly. Chickenwing attempt by Mance was blocked as Moriarty shoved him into the ringpost. Mance got sent crashing into the steel steps as Lee struck a pose in the ring.

Wristlock by Moriarty to Mance as he transitioned it seamlessly into the hammerlock stretch. Again, this forced Mance to use his second rope break with one remaining at 6:45 left in this match. Moriarty kicked at Mance’s head, but his opponent seemed to welcome the kicks. This led to Mance hitting with a closed fist strike, which prompted a warning. One, two… no. Mance hit Moriarty with a big boot, then the popup headbutt. The lariat from Mance led to another near-fall. Back clothesline from Mance on Moriarty as the Crossface was then applied with five minutes to go. Moriarty forced to exhaust a rope break, but Mance refused to let up. Moriarty blocked Mance’s lariat, as he hit the straight jacket followed by the Border City Stretch. Mance held up two fingers and poked Moriarty in the eye. Shining Wizard by Mance Warner, but another kickout!

Running knee by Mance was blocked by Moriarty, who turned it into the Border City Stretch. Mance struggling to reach the bottom ropes, bu Moriarty kicked at the hands of Mance. This forced a tapout at 2:51 remaining.

Lee Moriarty def. Mance Warner via submission

Both Lee Moriarty and Mance Warner are both great talents in my opinion, and this was a good showcase for the two of them. I enjoyed how their styles clashed here and it worked really well.

************************

– Deonna Purrazzo talked about how her open challenge.

“Blackheart” Lio Rush vs. Griff Garrison

Garrison, representing The Frat House, had an unenviable task ahead of him taking on the eccentric and creepy “Blackheart”.

Lio moved in that weird manner around the ropes as he muttered to himself while doing so. Griff didn’t seem to know how to take it as Lio offered a handshake. He slithered past Griff and took the red Solo cup that Griff brought to the ring. It was empty as Lio tried to pounce on him. Griff couldn’t grab a hold of Lio, but the shoulder rush ground. Lio arched himself back up and grabbed at the chest of Griff. Running clothesline by the Blackheart as he headed up top. Diving frog-splash, missed as Griff struck him down with another clothesline. The running splash as Lio got taken for the ride with a release Northern Lights suplex by Griff.

Lio continued to mumble to himself as he took a headbutt from Griff. Knee press to the back of Lio by Griff, but the Blackheart just laughed maniacally. Griff lifted Lio up for a torture rack bomb, but that was reversed into a sleeper hold. Griff began to drift into unconsciousness with Lio having the hold cinched in tight. Griff was able to recover and drive Lio into the corner to break the hold. Lio sent Griff to the outside as he moved in that Gollum-like wamy towards the corner while Griff looked on. Griff tried to get on the apron, but the Lio hit the rolling Liger heel kicks on him. Lio missed with the running splash as Griff took him down. In the ring, Griff hit the torture rack bomb, but Lio kicked out at two.

Rush got into the corner and hit a spear on Griff before he bit at the fingers of his opponent. Lio hit a massive popup powerbomb before a low springboard cutter that transitioned right into the cravate. Griff was out cold, which forced the referee to stop the match.

Lio Rush def. Griff Garrison via referee stoppage

This Blackheart character for Lio Rush is certainly one that’s gotten a wide variety of reactions both loving and hating the gimmick. Consider me on the camp that firmly enjoys it. A lot of it comes down to the committment that Lio is showing to it and it’s translated nicely into his in ring action. It’s just rounded into one of the most compelling things to watch on AEW/ROH.

************************

– Los Colon and Serpentico called their shot for the ROH World Six-Man Championships, as they’re set to face Shane Taylor Promotions on next week’s show.

Next Week on Ring of Honor

  • ROH Men’s World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido vs. Angelico
  • Los Colons & Serpentico vs. Shane Taylor Promotions
  • Eddie Kingston & Ortiz vs. The Workhorsemen

The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Bustah & The Brain (Alec Price & Jordan Oliver)

Price and Taven got this tag match started for their teams. Side headlock echanges between the two as Price hit a unique armdrag using the ropes as leverage to do so. Speed quickening before Taven blasted Price with a dropkick. Bennett now in the match as The Kingdom hit Price with elbow attacks. In the corner, Price was hit with chops from Bennett, but the speedster flipped over his foe and then hit a springboard crossbody. Price held Bennett in place with Oliver tagging into the match. Double back elbow from Bustah & The Brain.

Chop to the chest of Bennett as Price tagged in. The two partners again used their unorthodox tag offense to get the upper hand here. Bennett fought out of the B&TB corner and Taven tagged in. Spinning heel kick on Price, followed by the rolling neckbreaker on Oliver from Taven. Springboard moonsault on Oliver, but Price broke up the count.

Boston Bayonet uppercut from Bennett, but Oliver kicked out at two. Bennett kept Oliver in the corner with a chop, followed by the suplex. The Kingdom continued to control the match as Oliver was left allone. Now it was Taven with the suplex on Oliver as Bennett continued to keep the momentum going. The toss into a kick from Bennett, then the diving elbow, but Oliver would not stay down.

Oliver started to fight back, but Taven took him down. Springboard attack was intercepted by a dropkick from Oliver, which created some separation. Unfortunately, Bennett was tagged in as Price was taken down in the process. This forced Oliver to hold his own a bit more, and he did so with a leapfrog sidewalk slam, which finally allowed Price to get the hot tag. Kick to Bennett as he hit the Sky Splitter on him . Price hit Taven with a kick followed by a springboard Blockbuster. One, two…. NO!

Things began to pick up as Taven and Price traded kicks and knees. Spicolli Driver from Bennett, followed by the kick from Taven. Oliver broke up the pin but got thrown out of the ring. Proton Pack attempt by The Kingdom, but Oliver stopped it. In the corner, Oliver fought off Bennett, but Taven intercepted him at the top rope. Superplex reversed into an avalanche facebuster. Price with the frog splash. One, two…. KICKOUT! Bennett was thrown into the ringpost outside the ring, as Bustah & The Brain had Taven all to themselves. Oliver put Taven on his shoulders, but Bennett stopped Price from applying the finish. The splash from Price to Bennett. Meanwhile, in the ring, Taven escaped the electric chair and rolled up Oliver. With a grab of the tights, The Kingdom got the win.

The Kingdom def. Bustah & The Brain via pinfall

This was a solid tag match, and I liked the Kingdom showing their veteran instincts to pick up the win in the match over the young upstarts. The dubious way Taven got the pin on Oliver did well to set up a future match down the line.

************************

ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena (w/ Diamante) vs. Hyan

Athena held Hyan in a side headlock to start, but found herself in the gator roll. Suplex blocked and it turned into an rolling ball of inside cradles before Hyan had the pin attempt, which forced Athena to kick out. Big boot from the apron to Athena by Hyan followed by the dropkick. Hyan punished Athena with a hard forearm in the corner, but the spear was caught by the “Forever Champion” as she threw Hyan out of the ring. With a head of steam, Athena flew right into Hyan outside the ring with the suicide dive.

Athena clubbed the back of Hyan before she threw her into the ring to continue the onslaught with a boot in the corner. Athena yelled at the referee when she was told to break the hold. Athena grabbed Hyan by the head and hit her with a series of hard knees to the head. The wrench of the head from Athena kept Hyan grounded as the Women’s World Champion kept control here.

Hyan reversed out of her predicament with a release Northern Lights suplex. Running pump kick from Hyan sent Athena into the corner, where she got crushed with the running splash. On the top rope, Hyan hit Atrhena with the crossbody as the five minute mark was hit on this match. Running back elbow from Hyan stunned Athena momentarily, but she used her legs to take her down with a scissors. Facebuster countered into a pin by Hyan, but Athena turned that into a grapevine stomp to the canvas. One, two…. 2.999999999999!!!!!!!!!

An incensed Athena slapped Hyan repeatedly and continued to talk trash with three minutes left on this match. This seemed to only motivate Hyan who hit Athena with a spear to intercept a crossbody. One, two…. no. Hyan lifted Athena up for the Michinoku driver, but that still wasn’t enough to win this. Hyan missed with the kick from the corner as the two-minute warning was announced by Bobby Cruise. Athena snuffed out Hyan’s hopes as she applied the Koji Clutch to pick up the win by submission.

After the match, Athena picked up Hyan and slammed her right into her ROH Women’s World Title to wrap up tonight’s edition of ROH on HonorClub.

Athena def. Hyan via submission

************************

A great main event match between Athena and Hyan to wrap up a fine edition of in-ring action on the weekly ROH show.

The standouts for me this week was Athena vs. Hyan, Moriarty vs. Mance Warner, and the Kingdom vs. Bustah & The Brain. The beauty of the ROH on HonorClub shows is that while they may skew more towards a strong emphasis on in-ring action over storyline stuff, it’s a great showcase for some great wrestling that may fly under the radar for some.

I especially appreciate how there’ll be some names from the indie scene that show up on these shows, which is just a nice bonus for me and introduces me to some wrestlers that I’m might end up finding really neat in the process.

Overall, ROH on HonorClub is something I really enjoy watching and recapping every week.

TNA Knockout reportedly departs company

Posted on by Ian Carey

Myla Grace is reportedly no longer with TNA Wrestling.

Fightful Select reported on Thursday that Grace requested her release from the company earlier this week, and that it was granted in the last few days. The report also noted that there is said to be no heat between the two sides.

Grace debuted for the company last June. She most recently lost a singles match to Elayna Black at the March 28 tapings in New Orleans. She also teamed with Harley Hudson and Jody Threat in a loss to The Diamond Collective at the March 6 tapings in Atlanta.

Myla Grace outside TNA Wrestling

Grace recently completed a four-show tour with World Series Wrestling in Australia, where she won the promotion’s Women’s title from Ash by Elegance, only to drop it back to Elegance the following night.

She is the current holder of the OTT Women’s title in Ireland and also challenged for the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s title against Alexxis Falcon at RevPro Bash at the Bay on May 24.

Update on MJF after AEW Dynamite injury | Exclusive

Posted on by Ian Carey

An update is available on MJF.

On Thursday, the AEW World Champion was pulled from a scheduled match for Beyond Wrestling, with the promotion revealing that MJF suffered a hyperextended knee during his match against Rush on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

Our own Bryan Alvarez provided an update on the situation, writing to his subscribers on X:

“MJF injury is legit but they’re hoping it’s not serious”

Beyond Wrestling has since announced that Lio Rush and Wheeler Yuta have been added to Friday’s show in Cranston, Rhode Island.

MJF pulled from Beyond Wrestling show due to a hyperextended knee suffered on AEW Dynamite

MJF had been scheduled to wrestle Bobby Orlando on the show in what he said would likely be his last indie booking for “an extraordinarily long time.”

“Unfortunately @The_MJF hyperextended his knee during his match last night & is not medically cleared to travel or compete,” Beyond wrote on Thursday. “He will not be in Cranston tomorrow night but assured me he will wrestle for Beyond Wrestling as soon as his schedule allows. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Other wrestlers booked for the show include Megan Bayne, Max Caster, Mark Sterling, Jordan Oliver, and Alec Price.

Daily Update: Big E, LA Knight, Beyond Wrestling

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The most detailed look at the sale of New Japan, what happened, the glory days that Bushiroad built and why it came down and what led to the sale.
  • Business realities of Japanese wrestling today.
  • The reason for the surprising low sale price.
  • The shareholders lawsuit against Vince McMahon and the WWE Board of Directors is getting near. Judge Travis Laster orders sanctions against Nick Khan and Vince McMahon for destruction of evidence. Laster makes a ruling, and we look at it in detail, on how this changes the trial and the exact details of the destruction of evidence including when McMahon and company knew not to do it and ignored their own lawyers. Also we look at problems with the case.
  • AEW Double of Nothing coverage. Business notes, historical biggest gates in U.S. pro wrestling, three-time world champions by 30, how the PPV did, poll results, Mick Foley and more.
  • Did Ronda Rousey set a viewing audience record for MMA, plus coverage of Rousey vs. Carano, how everything goes forward, can things be sustained, can she fight, will she fight, her thoughts on AEW.
  • Scott Coker returns to MMA with a new promotion.
  • Marcel Barthel (Ludwig Kaiser) arrested.
  • A look at the career of Jerry Grey.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the TV shows over the past two weeks.
  • Mistico injury update.
  • How CMLL is doing this year compared to last year.
  • Natalia Jiminez and J Balvin appear and are part of CMLL shows.
  • Wrestlers vs. media soccer game.
  • Grande vs. Grande match looked at.
  • Major return to Stardom.
  • Champion Carnival finals.
  • NOAH tag team tournament.
  • New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
  • Hana Kimura tribute show.
  • Phil Hickerson passes away.
  • WCW announcer is the final anchor as CBS News Radio closes its doors after 99 years.
  • Death of the Laguna version of Piloto Suicida.
  • Junior Hodge Trophy winner.
  • Advance ticket sales for all major events in AEW, WWE, TNA and other indies.
  • Pro wrestler/fighter on the Rousey-Carano undercard.
  • WWE stars purchase promotion.
  • Tony Khan media appearances.
  • More thoughts on how Paramount/Skydance can affect AEW.
  • What can affect the time slot of Collision in 2027.
  • What’s next for AEW.
  • AEW star to return in the fall.
  • Latest Zuffa myths regarding Trump and UFC.
  • UFC fighter pay comes up again

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

Big E WWE

WWE

  • Big E will be delivering a TEDx Talk in Davenport, Iowa on August 12:
    • Excited to announce that I’ll be delivering a @tedx_official talk in Davenport, IA, on August 12 at @thelastpichouse!
    • ‘How I Got Over’
    • Sharing my struggles with major depressive disorder and psychosis, and my eventual healing through medication, hospitalization, ECTs, talk therapy, and mindfulness/meditation.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, LA Knight shared that – during his brief time as Max Dupri – Vince McMahon would always tell him that he needed to speak softer:
    • Vince told me before, ‘You gotta talk soft, I don’t want you to say or do any of the things that you used to do, none of that, whatever.’ If I’m honest though, he wasn’t familiar with any of it. He didn’t know LA Knight. I think he was told a little bit…
    • That first day of introducing the Models and we’re doing the little rehearsal thing talk-through. And he comes down and he’s like, ‘I need you to talk softer.’ And I’m like, okay, well, I’m thinking like, you had me talking soft in the backstage, but like now I’m doing a presentation. I need to be a little bigger, right? To present to the people. But it’s his show. Sure. And he goes, ‘Just read me a line from there as softly as you can.’ He’s like, ‘I don’t think you can be effeminate, but try and be effeminate without being effeminate.’ What?
  • Knight said the initial impression he was given for the Dupri character was that he would take a similar trajectory to Roddy Piper in WWE, starting out as a manager before wrestling full time:
    • The bill of goods that was sold to me there was that I was going to be kind of a Roddy Piper. In the sense of when Roddy first came in, he was like a manager, a mouthpiece that then sometimes wrestled, and then eventually just became a full-time wrestler. That was kind of how it was painted to me.
    • There were some other details in there that made me think like, ‘Okay, this could be okay.’ Then it started going in directions where I was like, this is going to be awful. This is going to be pigeon-holed. We’re stuck. We’re never going to get above a certain trajectory.
  • Becky Lynch discussed her friendship with Je’Von Evans:
    • We’ve got Je’Von Evans who’s 21. He’s younger than my wrestling career. He calls me ‘mom,’ because I’m old enough to be his mom. But then I’m so proud of him. I’m like, ‘Oh son, look at you, look at you out there main eventing Elimination Chamber.’ And I just think he’s the coolest. I think he’s so awesome. Like the confidence that he has and the ability that he has and his promo, everything. I’m like, this kid’s a star.
  • Nattie praised Undertaker and Jeremy Borash for the work they’re doing behind the scenes in Lucha Libre AAA:
    • I will say that Taker and Jeremy Borash – Jeremy Borash, he works alongside Taker at AAA. A lot of people know JB as being somebody that puts together the most amazing video packages in WWE. He puts together, if you see some of the best video packages in the company, usually JB is behind a lot of them.
    • And so to see what Taker, who by the way – Taker is not known for being a luchador. When you see what Undertaker has built in just the last six months of booking at AAA alongside Jeremy Borash and, of course, the people that had been in place in Triple A that work with them. Taker is very, very collaborative.
    • I’m just blown away. Like, I think that Taker has really stepped into this new role and he is proving why his influence past the ring may be one of his greatest accomplishments.
  • WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon (Fred Ottman), who is still working through the rehab process after spending approximately a month in the hospital earlier this year when his gallbladder “exploded,” is getting ready to head back on the road for signings. His first booking is in North Carolina on July 25.
  • Sol Ruca was the guest on No-Contest Wrestling this week.
  • WWE Vault uploaded an Ultimate Warrior & Strikeforce vs. Demolition & Mr. Fuji match from the Boston Garden in 1988.

Other Wrestling

  • Rebel thanked The Young Bucks – and Matt Jackson’s wife Dana Massie – for donating their YouTube live stream proceeds from last night to her ALS fundraiser:
    • BIG thank you to you guys and Dana. My heart is filled and I am truly grateful for your prayers
  • On the stream, Matt Jackson responded to someone who said they’d like to see The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) back in AEW:
    • I would love to do that, trust me. I may have tried to do that recently. They’re killing it right now. They’re so busy on the indies
  • Though MJF is unable to appear due to injury, Wheeler Yuta and Lio Rush have been added to Beyond Wrestling’s show in Cranston, Rhode Island this Friday night.
  • Indie promotion F1RST Wrestling will hold its annual Mall of America event on July 31 in Bloomington, Minnesota.
  • Uncrowned FIlms put together a 13-minute video on Brodie Lee Jr.’s debut at Spring Break.
  • Jonathan Gresham shared his thoughts ahead of competing in GCW’s Tournament of Survival this weekend:
    • If you had told me years ago that I’d willingly enter a deathmatch tournament, I probably would have laughed. But after returning to the ring, something changed. I felt blessed simply to be here again. Blessed to compete. Blessed to learn. Blessed to experience this life through professional wrestling.
    • That feeling opened a door in my mind.
    • I no longer want to see only one side of this art form—I want to experience all of it. Every style. Every challenge. Every lesson hidden behind a different set of ropes. Professional wrestling is a vast world, and I want to walk every path it offers.
    • So this is my next step.
    • Deathmatch wrestling.
    • I look forward to testing myself, embracing the unknown, and carrying the spirit of pure wrestling and MAG with me into an environment where it rarely exists. Different roads. Different philosophies. Same pursuit of growth.
    • As always, I am a student of the game.
    • And this weekend, the classroom just happens to be a tournament of survival.
    • With the fire and spirit of the originals, I am the foundation.

Mick Foley reportedly has ‘mind made up’ about wrestling in AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

An update is available regarding Mick Foley potentially wrestling again. 

WrestleVotes Radio and Fightful Select reported on Thursday that, according to AEW sources, Foley “had his mind made up that he would wrestle once more” and that it would take place in AEW.

The report also noted that if Foley is cleared to wrestle, AEW president Tony Khan would be eager to book him in a match.

Mick Foley says he would ‘have to avoid trauma to the head’ if he wrestles in AEW

Foley also addressed the possibility of wrestling again during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show earlier this week.

During the interview, Foley noted that if he were to have another match, he would need to avoid anything that could potentially lead to a head injury.

Foley said:

“I think that clearly if I had a match, it would have to be a match that would avoid trauma to the head. Luckily, there’s a whole lot of me to traumatize below the neck. So I think I have one last good match in me. I just believe — all the stars would have to align. All the stars would have to align. It would have to make sense.”

Andre Chase announces new in-ring name following WWE NXT release

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following his release, the former Andre Chase (Chance Barrow) will be using a very similar wrestling name to the one he had in WWE NXT.

Barrow sent out a social media post today announcing that he’ll now be going by “The Professor” Andre Chance. He is keeping “Andre” as part of the moniker while using his real-life first name as his new wrestling surname. Barrow is accepting bookings for matches, meet and greets, signings, and seminars.

During his time in NXT, Barrow was the leader of Chase U, a college-themed faction with Barrow serving as the head of the fictitious university. He was a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion with Duke Hudson and Ridge Holland as his respective partners.

Andre Chase’s real-life college degree —

Barrow recently obtained his actual college degree, earning a bachelor’s in sports management from the University of Florida. His graduation ceremony took place just over a week after his release from WWE.

“This degree has given me a strong foundation in the business side of sports and entertainment. Beyond the classroom, the connections I have made along the way have meant everything to me,” he wrote on Instagram. “The Gator alumni network is truly something special. Thank you to everyone who offered guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this journey, especially my friends and family, who made it possible.

News of his release broke on April 24, with Barrow being let go during WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. He had wrestled under the name Harlem Bravado before his WWE career.