On the April 9 episode of TNA Impact, fans witnessed the long-awaited return of Abyss. Tonight’s episode featured an Undead Realm segment with Tessa Blanchard and Father James Mitchell. The Undead Realm also consisted of Mara Sade and Rosemary.
As the episode continued, the segment showed Rosemary opening up to Sade about her collecting the seven deadly sins and then leading her to Allie.
Rosemary then met with Father James Mitchell and asked for a favor. However, when Mitchell suggested that nothing was free in the Undead Realm, Rosemary led her into a room with TNA veteran Abyss. The TNA Hall of Famer then bowed down in front of Mitchell and said, “Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.” The segment then concludes with a “To be continued” note.
The Undead Realm also featured appearances from Victoria Crawford as well as Mila Moore, who was then abducted by Havok.
Viewers need to stay tuned to learn more about Abyss’ TNA return. Abyss, real name Chris Park, currently works as a producer for WWE and has been with the company since 2019.
AJ Styles wishes a fellow TNA legend got the chance to compete for WWE at least one time.
While speaking on the Phenomenally Retro Podcast, the now-retired Styles reflected on one of his favorite TNA matches against Abyss. Styles reflected on their Lockdown 2005 bout and labeled Abyss one of the top five giants he’s worked with across his extensive career.
“So this was the first time every match [on the PPV] was in a cage and we were the main event,” Styles said. “They go, ‘Well, what the heck are we going to do?’ Every match was in a cage. So we started our first, I believe it was the first 10 minutes of our match. The match hadn’t even started yet. It was on the outside. We’re going, fighting all around, and then once we get in the ring, ding ding ding, the match starts. We did another 10 to 15 minutes. But it was one of my favorite matches because — I mean tacks, I got busted open, chains, top of the cage, like outside of the cage, like it was, I don’t know who thought of all this stuff.
“I would love to tell you it was me, but I’m pretty sure it was both of us that came up with this. But I really think that was a brilliant match based on what we had to work with. But it’s like you said, he was probably one of the better big men, definitely that I’ve ever wrestled. He is right up there in my top five of ‘big man’ that could do it all and was willing to do it and could go and had great moves and a different character. Like, he was so good, man.”
Styles further praised Abyss’ character and revealed that there were backstage talks in WWE about having him compete in a Royal Rumble match at one point. However, that never ended up coming to fruition.
“There was a moment in time where we thought we were going to have him in the Royal Rumble. It didn’t go through and I hate that for him,” Styles said. “It would have been just like a stamp on Abyss. The character finally made it to the WWE. I would’ve loved that, but I guess somebody didn’t agree.”
Abyss (Chris Park) never got to make his WWE in-ring debut, but he’s now been working behind the scenes for the company as a producer since 2019. Last month, he made an on-screen appearance during a tribute WWE held for Styles following his retirement.
The 48-year-old Styles wrestled his final match this January and is set to be honored with a WWE Hall of Fame induction next month during WrestleMania weekend.
AEW heads to Arena Mexico, reaction of talent, background and key facts about Arena Mexico and wrestling history, the rise, fall and comeback of Mistico, the quadruple crown of wrestlers and even announcers and full coverage of the Tuesday and Wednesday night shows as well as this past Friday’s show.
Where New Japan stands today with its reset at Dominion, full coverage of the show, plus news ands thoughts regarding the G-1 Climax tournament
WWE preparing many major shows over the next few weeks
Coverage of TripleMania Regia
Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon and TKO make arguments to get out of the ringboys lawsuit and what statements made by McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon more than 30 years don’t look good regarding this case
A look at U.K. women’s wrestling pioneer and Scottish Hall of Famer Rusty Blair.
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the major shows
CMLL’s biggest show of the year announced
Konnan praises Corey Graves
A new television milestone reached this past month and an explanation of what it means
The U.S. team going to the world championships in Croatia
Hogan & Bischoff RAF promotion announces debut show and a very bad sign regarding their actual interest
Notes on two of the best attended indie shows of the year on the same night
El Hijo del Santo’s last match in Mexico as scheduled today
AEW women stars working in Europe
Advanced ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
Tony Khan does interview, gets criticized regarding how he presented the info
More on Dana White and Nick Khan’s boxing project with Turki Alalshikh
What is the value of the UFC PPV shows?
Aaron Pico vs. Moovsar Evloev and what that says about UFC’s intentions
Reports on Vince McMahon getting back involved and what is and isn’t viable
Realities of AEW TV rating year-to-year
Gunther vs. Goldberg notes
Goldberg talks about why he’s coming back
Michelle McCool talks saving Undertaker’s life twice
Liv Morgan’s injury and changes that have to be made
In an interview with Fightful, Abyss reiterated that he doesn’t plan on wrestling again and is focused on being a producer for WWE: “To answer quite frankly, I’m done. Physically, I don’t have plans on wrestling again. Never say never, but I don’t see it in the cards, nor do I want it in the cards. I’m so happy with what I’m doing and the challenge that being a producer presents to me every day there. I’m so focused on that and being the best producer I can be. I had a great career with no regrets. Nothing I would have changed. It was time to move on and fortunately, I was lucky enough to be presented the opportunity to be a producer for the biggest and best wrestling company in the world. That, to me, was something that I never saw coming. I never thought that was going to be a possibility, just like I never thought this video game participation would be a possibility. That’s what I’m focused on now. Being the best producer I can be and contributing to the business that way.”
King Vikingo & El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Alberto El Patron and El Mesias has been added to AAA Verano de Escandalo on July 11.
WWE Vault posted a thank you note to subscribers as the channel now has two million subscribers and 1 billion views. It has asked fans to continue sending in recommendations and requests.
In terms of specific requests, the note said that they have not found footage of Hulk Hogan on Jake Roberts’ Snake Pit or Owen Hart vs. Kurt Angle, more Omni house shows are coming, Mistico vs. Dean Malenko “didn’t happen,” and they have WCW Cyber Ring footage that is “mostly on green screen.”
Chris Ridgeway announced that he has a hairline fracture, tear, and sprain in his neck and as a result will be out “for a while.”
The upcoming Tokyo Joshi Pro events in Texas will be streamed on Wrestle Universe for free as part of the company testing live streaming from overseas.
Moose is now recognized as the second longest reigning X Division champion of all time at 223 days. Austin Aries currently holds the record at 298 days.
It appears that WWE has officially taken the first steps towards Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair all being involved in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
An angle where Vince McMahon suspended Lynch for 60 days and announced that Charlotte would be taking her place at WrestleMania closed last Monday’s episode of Raw. Charlotte aligned with Vince and fully turned heel, with Vince calling her someone with charisma, someone with charm, and someone who knows their lane and stays in it.
The show didn’t sell out, even in one of WWE’s best markets. The show had more good than bad, with the highlight being the main event, the men’s Chamber match where Daniel Bryan retained and the crowd got so strong behind Kofi Kingston in the Mustafa Ali slot that Vince McMahon changed plans for Fast Lane to put Bryan vs. Kingston on top.
The show was the brainchild of Motoko Baba, to run a big Baba celebration show in 2019, 20 years after his early 1999 death. With her passing away last year, it was her nieces and nephews who put the show together.
All but one count of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar on the grounds they conspired against him to allow a juiced up Lesnar to fight him at UFC 200 was thrown out of court.
The 2020 Royal Rumble will take place on 1/26 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Most likely that would also mean Takeover on 1/25 at the Toyota Center, Raw on 1/27 and Smackdown on 1/28.
FOX this weekend started advertising 10/4 as the debut of the new Friday Night Smackdown show.
“Fighting with My Family,” the Dwayne Johnson Seven Bucks Entertainment movie about Growing Up as Paige, which has its big national release on 2/22, has gotten great word-of-mouth so far.
Chris Jericho noted that while he and Gedo are on the same page, that New Japan management hasn’t talked with him about a new deal.
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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose
WWE
WWE uploaded a video that has interviews with new behind-the-scenes employees Jeff Jarrett, Chris Parks (Abyss), Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, and Shane Helms.
Triple H responded to the announcement that Roman Reigns will appear on Monday’s Raw to address the status of his battle with leukemia: “No one fights harder and is tougher than @WWERomanReigns. Can’t wait to see him back in his yard this Monday on #Raw and hear how his battle is going.”
Xavier Woods tweeted about New Day’s goal of Kofi Kingston becoming WWE Champion: “If you’re late to the party, #NewDay has been repping that @TrueKofi will become the WWE world champion since our inception. It will soon become a reality. There is no bandwagon. There is no alternate truth. We are here for him and always will be. #KofiVsBryan”
Pep Hamilton was officially introduced as the head coach/general manager of the XFL’s Washington DC team today. Hamilton was formerly the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and Stanford University.
This week’s WWE Network Hidden Gems additions were:
Sputnik Monroe vs. Jack Pesek (Championship Wrestling from Florida, 1966)
Bobo Brazil & Dick the Bruiser vs. The Sheik & Bobby Heenan (AWA, 1974)
Rocky Johnson & Pedro Morales vs. Ivan Koloff & Mr. Saito (Championship Wrestling from Florida, 1978)
Junkyard Dog vs. Buzz Sawyer (Houston Wrestling, 1983)
Billy Gunn appeared on Busted Open Radio to discuss D-Generation X being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Gunn said he thinks Chyna going into the Hall of Fame is the most exciting thing about it.
Pro Wrestling
The ROH World Championship will be defended in Israel for the first time when Jay Lethal faces David Starr at Israeli Pro Wrestling Association’s Passover Bash on April 21. ROH noted that if Lethal loses the title before the match, the new ROH Champion will take his place.
At his retirement press conference today, Georges St-Pierre spoke about why a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t happen: “My agent was talking to the UFC, we tried to organize the fight with Khabib. I know Khabib wants it and I want it, but the UFC had other plans. To the point where I am in my career, for me it’s more at this time taking one fight at a time instead of being there for several fights. The way the business works in UFC, if they promote someone they want to keep him there to have a guarantee that the guy is there. It’s like an investment.”
Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram: “Now look at this video and you’ll understand why I wanted to fight with him, simply he’s one of the best оf all times. I just wanted to share cage with him while he’s active, that’s the history and people be watching it again and again, I want to fight with the best. Anyway, good luck to you Legend @georgesstpierre time is merciless, and your decision is right.”
ESPN2 will be airing three GSP fights starting tomorrow morning at 2:30 eastern. First will be the fight against Johny Hendricks, then the second fight against Matt Hughes followed by his fight against Carlos Condit.
With a message on their marquee, Madison Square Garden thanked GSP and congratulated him on his career.
Scott Coker also wished GSP the best in his retirement.
GSP was honored at tonight’s Canadiens/Flyers game.
Amanda Nunes doesn’t feel she will be ready to fight by May for UFC 237. Her goal is to fight in November or December against Holly Holm, then rematch against Cyborg next year before retiring.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong posted a picture with himself and Vitor Belfort, saying that he will be at ringside tomorrow as his guest, and to “stay tuned for some big news!”
The ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix tournament brackets have been revealed.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
Ed Nordholm, President of Impact Wrestling, released a statement to Wrestling Inc. confirming that Abyss and Sonjay Dutt, who are currently working as producers and occasional talent have been released, with Konnan and Tommy Dreamer being added to Impact’s creative team in their place.
“We reached an amicable agreement with Sonjay and Abyss to allow them to pursue this opportunity,” the statement says. “They have been tremendous contributors to IMPACT Wrestling and we wish them every success. We are thrilled that Konnan and Tommy Dreamer have agreed to bring their 50+ years of experience to our core creative team.”
“Dutt was under contract through September but he had the chance to go to WWE as they are looking to expand backstage people for NXT. Dutt, Jimmy Long (who WWE already hired) and Park were three of Jeremy Borash’s best friends when he was in Impact and that probably ties that all in,” he wrote.
Abyss has been with the company since 2002, appearing on the very first NWA-TNA show under the name Justice. He was inducted into Impact’s Hall of Fame last year during Bound for Glory weekend.
Dutt has also been associated with the company for years, first starting in 2003. He most recently returned in 2017 when Jeff Jarrett regained power, joining the promotion as a producer.
The newest member of the Impact Hall of Fame is none other than the monster himself, Abyss.
It was announced during Impact tonight that Abyss (real name Christopher Park) will be inducted into their Hall of Fame during Bound for Glory weekend. The ceremony will be on October 13th at McHale’s Pub in midtown Manhattan.
“I’m absolutely over whelmed with the response to my upcoming @IMPACTWRESTLING Hall of Fame induction,” he wrote on Twitter following the announcement. “Thank you ALL for your messages. This is one of the highlights of my career. I’m over come with emotion. Thank you to everyone who ever supported me. This is for all of YOU!!”
Abyss made his debut as Prince Justice during the first Impact pay-per-view on June 19, 2002, as part of the Gauntlet for the Gold match to crown a new NWA Worlds Heavyweight champion. He was soon repackaged as Abyss. He is formerly a NWA Worlds Heavyweight champion, as well as a X Division, Television and tag team champion, both under the NWA and Impact banners.
The most recent storyline involving Abyss took place this year when Jimmy Jacobs brought Kongo Kong into Impact Wrestling, labeling him the new monster of the promotion. After Jacobs repeatedly goaded Abyss into making a return, he obliged, bringing back James Mitchell as his manager. He lost to Kong in a Monster’s Ball match and hasn’t appeared on Impact since then.
