On AEW Collision this Saturday night, Konosuke Takeshita will make the first defense of his International Championship reign.
Takeshita became a two-time International Champion when he defeated Kazuchika Okada for the belt at Double or Nothing. Less than a week into his reign, Takeshita is set to defend against Daniel Garcia on Collision. The match was announced by Tony Khan on social media today.
“After The Alpha regained the International belt at #AEWDoN, Takeshita will collide vs former TNT Champion Daniel Garcia in a big title fight TOMORROW!,” Khan wrote.
Though Garcia is his first challenger, Takeshita is locked into a feud with Kyle Fletcher after the returning Fletcher targeted him at Double or Nothing. Takeshita, now a babyface, has linked up with The Conglomeration against his former faction mates in the Don Callis Family.
A Trios Championship match with The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) defending against Don Callis Family’s Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta & Lance Archer is among the other matches set for Saturday’s Collision. The show is being held at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
AEW Collision (Saturday, May 30) —
AEW Trios Champions The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) defend against Don Callis Family (Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta & Lance Archer)
AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. TayJay (Tay Melo & Anna Jay) in an AEW Women’s Tag Team title five-minute eliminator match
Hazuki vs. Maya World (with Persephone on commentary)
Future of the vacant TBS Championship will be addressed
Saturday #AEWCollision LIVE Nationwide TOMORROW 8e/5p TNT & HBO Max
AEW International Title Konosuke Takeshita vs Daniel Garcia
After The Alpha regained the International belt at #AEWDoN, Takeshita will collide vs former TNT Champion Daniel Garcia in a big title fight TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/nAS83YxtUQ
There’s a simple reason why the AEW International title was covered on Collision.
Fightful Select reported on Sunday that the bag containing Kazuchika Okada’s belt and gear were lost, hence the reason why Okada came out for his match against Adam Priest wearing different gear and the championship title was covered.
During Okada’s title match against Priest, Rocky Romero on commentary said Priest wasn’t on the same level as Okada, and that is why Priest didn’t deserve to see the champion in his robe or even see the title he was challenging for. Although Priest and Okada ended up having a competitive back-and-forth match, Okada retained the title after hitting Priest with the Rainmaker.
In recent weeks, Okada has been playing mind games with the Don Callis Family in an attempt to drive Konosuke Takeshita further away from the group. After Okada apologized to Kyle Fletcher for using the Don Callis Family screwdriver during Worlds End, Callis suggested on Dynamite that Takeshita should follow Fletcher’s lead and forgive Okada. After Takeshita asked Fletcher if he forgave Okada, he walked off dejected after not liking Fletcher’s answer.
New matches and segments have been announced for AEW Fyter Fest.
Wednesday’s International title four-way match was set on Collision, as Mascara Dorada and Claudio Castagnoli won their qualifying matches. They will join Brody King to challenge Kenny Omega at Fyter Fest this Wednesday as part of a four-hour special event.
In addition, it was announced that Mark Briscoe would face Jon Moxley. Briscoe issued the challenge on Collision, saying he wanted to prove to his kids that he didn’t quit when Moxley submitted him on Dynamite. FTR will face CMLL’s Atlantis Jr. and Templario after the four had a confrontation, with FTR disrespecting Atlantis Jr.’s father. FTR jumped Atlantis and Templario but they made a comeback, sending FTR out of the ring.
After Mina Shirakawa defeated Skye Blue on Collision, Julia Hart attacked Shirakawa until Toni Storm came out for the save. A tag match was made between the two teams for Fyter Fest as a result, with Mercedes Mone on commentary. Similarly, Komander and Speeball Mike Bailey made the save for Top Flight and AR Fox as they were attacked by LFI after a loss, setting up a trios match at Fyter Fest where LFI will take on Komander, Bailey, and a returning Kevin Knight.
After surviving a hellacious Anarchy in the Arena match, AEW International Champion Kenny Omega will defend his title at next month’s Fyter Fest special.
Announced during Sunday’s Double or Nothing, Omega will defend the title in a four-way at the four-hour special on Wednesday, June 4th on TBS. His opponents will be determined in a tournament that kicks off this week on Dynamite and Collision.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite from El Paso, Texas:
Josh Alexander vs. Brody King
On Saturday’s Collision from El Paso, Texas (taped after Dynamite):
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Komander
Mascara Dorada vs. Hechicero
The winners of those three bouts will then face Omega in the four-way in Denver, Colorado, the following Wednesday.
Omega has held the title for nearly 80 days, winning it at March’s Revolution with his win over Konosuke Takeshita. He has one title defense since then, beating “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Ricochet at April’s Dynasty.
The matches are the first announced for this week and for Fyter Fest.
Omega defeated Konoskue Takeshita at AEW Revolution on Sunday to win the title for the first time. In a closely-watched back and forth contest, Omega scored the win following a crucifix after both countered each other’s finishers. After the match, Don Callis and Takeshita bailed to the back as Omega took time to get back to his feet, holding the International title in the air as pyro went off at the stage area.
Upon making his return in January, Omega found himself being attacked by the Don Callis Family only for Will Ospreay to make the save. After the team were successful in defeating Kyle Fletcher and Takeshita at AEW Grand Slam Australia, Omega issued the challenge to Takeshita for a future International title match.
A mini-tournament was held soon after to determine the International title match for Revolution. Orange Cassidy defeated Roderick Strong to face Takeshita for the title the following week on Dynamite. Takeshita retained the title, setting the stage for the match against Omega in Los Angeles.
Another title match has been announced for this Saturday’s AEW Full Gear as AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita will defend the title against Ricochet.
The two have been at odds since October’s WrestleDream when Kyle Fletcher attacked Will Ospreay, causing him to lose the title to Takeshita in a three-way that also included Ricochet. Since then, Ricochet has chased Takeshita around North America which included a surprise appearance at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s debut weekend.
The two have battled in a pair of tag team matches since then which included an eight-man that took place Wednesday.
This will be the third title defense for Takeshita, but his first in AEW. Ricochet is 7-0 in straight-up singles matches in his early AEW career.
Here’s the current card for Newark, New Jersey:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Daniel Garcia
AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Ricochet
Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
Jay White vs. Hangman Page
Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
MJF vs. Roderick Strong
Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa champagne celebration
Four-way match for AEW Tag Team titles: Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defends against The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd), House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King), and The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
A double title match may be in the cards for Wrestle Kingdom 19.
After Konosuke Takeshita defeated TJP to retain the AEW International title at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed, NEVER Champion Shingo Takagi came out and issued a double title match for January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.
“Forgive the interruption. Another great match, Takeshita,” he said according to NJPW Global. “You want to wrestle me, right? Let’s do it. Will it be the AEW International Champion or the NEVER Champ? Let’s find out who’s strongest January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 19!”
.@Takesoup wanted next??! HE GOT NEXT in the form of Shingo Takagi. ⏭️@Takagi__Shingo vs Konosuke Takeshita is official for Wrestle Kingdom on 1.4 in a battle of AEW International champ vs. Never Openweight champ 🏆🏆#njFSU replay now available on TrillerTV PPV pic.twitter.com/rDMva3gr2Q
Tomohiro Ishii also appeared during the segment. NJPW Global indicated that Ishii would be awaiting the winner of the match the following day at Wrestle Dynasty.
Since winning the AEW International Championship at WrestleDream, Takeshita has been defending the title frequently. He defeated Josh Alexander to retain the title during a Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling match last month in Canada. In AEW, Ricochet has been looking to earn a future title match, as he was not pinned in the three-way match where Takeshita won the title.
After Konosuke Takeshita retained the AEW International title on the second night of MLP Forged in Excellence, Takeshita continued to attack his opponent Josh Alexander until Ricochet came down to the ring. Don Callis retreated as Takeshita was laid out with a springboard elbow. Takeshita then bailed as Ricochet held the International title in the ring, again making it clear he wanted another shot.
RICOCHET JUST SHOWED UP IN MAPLE LEAF PRO!!! 🍁
Ricochet arrived to make the save for Josh Alexander, ran Don/Takeshita off, picked up the AEW International title and closed the PPV!
On Saturday’s AEW Collision, Ricochet cut a promo saying he’s never been pinned or submitted in AEW. He said Takeshita could go anywhere in the world, but warned him he’d be waiting and it didn’t matter who he ended up bringing, including Callis.
Takeshita won the title at AEW WrestleDream earlier this month, defeating former champion Will Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match. Takeshita pinned Ospreay after Kyle Fletcher turned his back on Ospreay.
On Saturday, Takeshita defeated Speedball Mike Bailey on the first night of MLP Forged in Excellence. The match was not for the AEW International title, but Bailey would have earned a title match if he had won.
The AEW International title will not be defended on the first night of MLP’s Forged in Excellence this weekend.
On X, the promotion wrote that while Konosuke Takeshita’s title won’t be on the line, if Speedball Mike Bailey does win the title, he will earn a future shot at the title.
“Night One’s main event for #MLPForgedInExcellence is new @AEW International Champion Konosuke @Takesoup versus TNA X-Division Champion @SpeedballBailey,” they wrote. “And while Takeshita’s new title is NOT on the line in the match, it still has huge implications – if Speedball WINS, he earns a future title shot at the AEW International Champion! It all goes down on Saturday, October 19 in Windsor, Ontario!”
Night One's main event for #MLPForgedInExcellence is new @AEW International Champion Konosuke @Takesoup versus TNA X-Division Champion @SpeedballBailey. And while Takeshita's new title is NOT on the line in the match, it still has huge implications – if Speedball WINS, he earns a… pic.twitter.com/tCbE9ltqY7
It was announced on Monday that Takeshita will defend the title on the second night of Forged in Excellence against Josh Alexander. That announcement video featured highlights of the media scrum that took place following Takeshita’s win where he and Don Callis promised to defend the title all over the world.
Here is the updated lineup for both nights of Forged in Excellence:
Night one (Saturday, October 19):
Konosuke Takeshita vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Rohan Raja vs. Jake Something for the inaugural PWA Champion’s Grail Championship
Bhupinder Gujjar vs. QT Marshall (w/ Harley Cameron)
Tables match: Bully Ray vs. Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal)
Laynie Luck vs. Taylor Rising vs. Kylie Rae vs. Aurora Teves
Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee (the former Cameron Grimes), Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne
Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita (If Yamashita wins, she’ll be added to the ROH title match on night two)
Four-way tag team match: The Intergalactic Jet Setters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) vs. Aiden Prince & El Reverso vs. Rogue Squadron (Rohit Raju & Sheldon Prince) vs. Brent Banks & Johnny Swinger
Night two (Sunday, October 20):
AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Josh Alexander
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Gisele Shaw
QPW Qatar Champion Classy Ali defends against El Reverso
Konosuke Takeshita’s first AEW International title defense is coming soon.
Maple Leaf Pro confirmed that Takeshita will now defend the International title against Josh Alexander on October 20 during the second night of their Forged in Excellence event. MLP posted a video confirming the news featuring Takeshita and Don Callis’ comments from the AEW WrestleDream media scrum where they promised to defend the title worldwide.
It's Official! As first reported by @PWInsidercom, Night Two's main event between AEW's Konosuke @Takesoup and TNA's @Walking_Weapon Josh Alexander is now for Takeshita's newly won @AEW International Championship! Takeshita's first title defence is this Sunday October 20 at… pic.twitter.com/4iItY7ltXB
Takeshita won the title at WrestleDream this past Saturday, defeating former champion Will Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match. The finish had Callis associate Kyle Fletcher turn on his friend Ospreay, striking him with a screwdriver and allowing Takeshita to win.
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged In Excellence takes place October 19 & 20, 2024, at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Both shows will air live on Triller TV as pay-per-view events.
Night one (Saturday, October 19):
Konosuke Takeshita vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Rohan Raja vs. Jake Something for the inaugural PWA Champion’s Grail Championship
Bhupinder Gujjar vs. QT Marshall (w/ Harley Cameron)
Tables match: Bully Ray vs. Raj Dhesi (former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal)
Laynie Luck vs. Taylor Rising vs. Kylie Rae vs. Aurora Teves
Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee (the former Cameron Grimes), Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne
Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita (If Yamashita wins, she’ll be added to the ROH title match on night two)
Four-way tag team match: The Intergalactic Jet Setters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) vs. Aiden Prince & El Reverso vs. Rogue Squadron (Rohit Raju & Sheldon Prince) vs. Brent Banks & Johnny Swinger
Night two (Sunday, October 20):
AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Josh Alexander
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Gisele Shaw
Konosuke Takeshita is the new AEW International Champion and he has an unexpected ally to thank.
Takeshita won the title during Saturday’s WrestleDream after Kyle Fletcher made a surprise appearance and stabbed then-champion Will Ospreay in the back of the head with a screwdriver. As Ospreay looked on in disbelief at Fletcher, Takeshita pulled down his kneepad, hit a running knee, and got the pin.
Afterward, Fletcher hit Ospreay with a Tiger Driver 91 to seal his turn.
The bout was a three-way that also included Ricochet.
Fletcher and Ospreay were friends, tag team partners, and faction mates in United Empire for years. The two had been part of the Don Callis Family until Ospreay and Callis parted ways. On this past week’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite, Ospreay called out Callis who then admitted he told Takeshita to attack both Ospreay and Ricochet after their recent title match.
The win gives Takeshita his first AEW singles title and ends Ospreay’s 49-day second run with the International title.
Robbed of his “Wembley moment,” PAC will cash in on his AEW International/American title shot at September’s All Out, taking on the winner of the MJF vs. Will Ospreay rematch at this month’s All In.
PAC appeared on Dynamite in a backstage promo to air his displeasure about how Ospreay went about getting his rematch, robbing PAC of the moment of appearing in his home country at London, England’s Wembley Stadium.
The challenge has been issued from the 'Bastard' PAC!
PAC earned the shot on the July 10th Dynamite by winning a four-way over Claudio Castagnoli, Tomohiro Ishii and Kyle Fletcher but the date was never announced as when he could have it.
PAC has never faced MJF while he went one-on-one with Ospreay in February 2019 for RevPro.
PAC won the inaugural All-Atlantic title in June 2022, later changed to the International title in March 2023 and then changed to the American title after MJF won it at last month’s 250th Dynamite. PAC initially held the title for 108 days and defended it seven times, losing it to Orange Cassidy on an October edition of Dynamite.
It’s the first match officially announced for the Saturday, September 7th pay-per-view from Chicago, Illinois.
A rematch of one of the best bouts of the year is officially set for next month’s AEW All In from London’s Wembley Stadium as MJF will defend his newly-renamed AEW American Championship against Will Ospreay.
The rematch was put into motion during the opening segment on Wednesday’s Dynamite. MJF kicked off the show by proclaiming that he decided to rename the International title to the American title, complete with a new belt he unveiled Wednesday (seen above).
Ospreay interrupted the proceedings and after calling out MJF for cheating, he said he had a meeting with Tony Khan and the rematch was on for Wembley. Ospreay then recovered the International title from a trash can MJF tossed the belt into.
In previous weeks, MJF had offered Daniel Garcia a match for the August pay-per-view, but then attacked him after Ospreay’s title defense over Garcia. laying him out. Garcia has yet to return, selling storyline injuries.
Ospreay and MJF competed against each other for the first time ever on last week’s 250th Dynamite that went nearly an hour, ending when MJF punched Ospreay with his Dynamite diamond ring which led to him getting the win and the title.
MJF shuns the #AEW International Championship and names HIMSELF the #AEW American Champion!
Templario won a one-night tournament during CMLL’s Tuesday event. He defeated Averno in the finals of the tournament, winning after hitting a powerbomb off the top rope. He will now face MJF for the AEW International title on August 2.
Other participants in the tournament included Esfinge, Flip Gordon, Rugido, Stuka Jr., Valiente, and Zandokan Jr..
MJF already has a challenger!
Templario will compete for the AEW International Championship on August 2nd at Arena México.
Right after defeating Will Ospreay for the International title, MJF appeared via video on a CMLL Friday event and said that his near-hour match against Ospreay was the easiest match of his life. He said that the best thing he could do to help the world internationally was to take the title to “those masked morons in Mexico.”
AEW wrestlers have made frequent appearances since CMLL solidified their relationship with AEW. Their show this coming Friday will have Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix) in action. Chris Jericho will also face Mistico on their 91st Anniversary show on September 13.
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site right now:
The updated details of the biggest lawsuit that ever faced TKO
Build to SummerSlam and All In
Updated PPV numbers on Forbidden Door, Money in the Bank and Diaz vs. Masvidal
G-1 is starting and a look at the first week of the tournament
The first Fantastica Mania show in the U.S.
The latest moves by Janel Grant’s legal team regarding Vince McMaahon’s doctor, the motion, why they are doing this and more on Vince’s doctor including bigger celebrities than Vince that he’s worked with along with legendary fighters
Pro Wrestling NOAH runs Budokan Hall with A.J. Styles
A look at the N-1 tournament
Longtime NOAH star retires
NOAH star joining New Japan and Bullet Club
A look at Marigold’s biggest show in its history with Iyo Sky plus Sareee vs Giulia
Giulia timeline updated of going to WWE
Upcoming Marigold PPV shows
A look at the Category A Observer awards and favorites after six months of 2024, who should win MVP in pro wrestling and MMA, match & fight of the year
The closing months of WCW looked at as Lenita Erickson says she played a part in killing Eric Bischoff’s TV deal that would have kept the company alive
Lots of talk regarding different negotiations to get the company
The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week
What place did the pro wrestling and MMA shows finish in the ratings
How the different shows did with ratings, segment-by-segment, competition and placings as well as other notes on viewership
Lots of big things coming to Arena Mexico
Leyenda de Plata tournament
11 companies join together with a united front to government
Death of Ken Hoffman and the major title change that happened because of what he wrote in the newspaper
Notes on a number of wrestling movies and documentaries
MLW with big show with lots of CMLL talent
More on Bloodsport with WWE talent
TNA looking at biggest crowd in years
As AEW talks with WBD about a new deal, lots of things are going on in that world
International ratings and streaming numbers
Advance ticket sales for all upcoming AEW & WWE shows
More on Nate Diaz lawsuit against promoter
Peacock raising prices
WWE Survivor Series notes
Lots of new WWE dates
Cody Rhodes talks AEW
This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue
– Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about all the latest news, including this week and next week’s Smackdown, the first AEW show in Arlington, TX and G-1, as well as Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry with Wrestling Observer Radio tonight.
– Although Judge Richard Boulware said he would make his ruling on whether to accept the $335 million settlement by TKO in the Cung Le lawsuit over this past week, it came and went with no news.
– There will be a one-night tournament on Tuesday night at Arena Mexico with Flip Gordon, Templario, Valiente, Esfinge, Rugido, Zandokan Jr., Stuka Jr. and Averno and the winner will get the shot at MJF and his International title on 8/2 at Arena Mexico. It’s notable because the tradition at Arena Mexico is angles are shot for the night of the week, so it’s rare a Tuesday night tournament will lead to a Friday night match, but times are changing.
– The story of Naomichi Marufuji going to SummerSlam was overblown. The actual story is that Marufuji will be announcing the show for the Japanese broadcast on ABEMA PPV, but he will be doing so from Japan.
– Added to the ROH Death Before Dishonor show on Friday night in Arlington, TX is Diamante vs. Leyla Hirsch in a Texas death match.
– Skye Blue suffered an ankle injury last night in her match with Hikaru Shida and they stopped the match immediately upon orders of the doctor. Shida’s win was planned and was to set up Shida vs. Britt Baker on Wednesday night’s show in Nashville.
– We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:
Smackdown in Omaha (everything not on the live show)
Dragon Gate Kobe World Festival from today in Kobe
– We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]. We’re also doing polls from both nights of G-1 in Osaka as well as last night’s TNA Slammiversary show in Montreal, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match for each show to [email protected]
– As expected by most, Jake Paul, the actual boxer, had his way with MMA fighter/Bare Knuckle boxer Mike Perry, who is smaller and comes from a different sport. Paul scored several knockdowns and won via sixth round stoppage. Paul then issued a challenge to Alex Pereira, the UFC light heavyweight champion, but of course not under MMA or kickboxing rules but boxing rules, a sport Pereira only competed in once, in 2017. This fight can’t happen because Pereira is under contract with UFC who will never let him do that fight
Perry, who was the top star of Bare Knuckle Fighting, which Conor McGregor owns a piece of, saw McGregor rip on Perry who claimed that he’d never fight in BKFC again. Perry said that wasn’t going to happen, saying, “Me and him are both owners of BKFC, so he can’t fire me. We can fight in Bare Knuckle. Look at me. I lost to Jake Paul. Why don’t you go fight Jake Paul in boxing with the gloves on? I think it would be worse that Conor McGregor vs. Mayweather.”
McGregor made these tweets, which he then deleted, writing, “Perry took a pay cut to take that fight btw. It was a wish of his. Astounding. He will not be offered a return to the BKFC ring. He can do a few matches of his new Dirty Boxing thing with MMA sparring gloves he has set up. We wish him well, Wish granted.
After Perry responded saying he was a oc-owner, McGregor said “Michael you are not an owner in BKFC. Not an iodta. You have the tiniest minute dot of a share in the social media app. Which is promising, in fairness. But it’s’ a speckle you have. You own nothing in (BKFC). Not an iota. And trust me, you are out, bro.”
– At yesterday’s UFC show it was announced that the 8/3 co-main event in Abu Dhabi of Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque is off. The reason given was travel issues. No more details were said. The claim is they are looking at still holding the fight later in the year. This would have been Diaz’s first fight since 2021, when he lost to Robbie Lawler. The new No. 2 bout on the show is Shara Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk in a middleweight bout. Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Cory Sandhagen is the main event.
– In Google searches, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry boxing match did 1 million searches yesterday and was No. 1. The only other stuff related to boxing, wrestling and MMA that cracked the lists this week were Hulk Hogan, Dana White and Linda McMahon on Thursday speaking at the Republican convention at 500,000 (No. 3 for the day) and Paul vs. Perry was No. 9 on Thursday with 100,000. The UFC show yesterday did not crack the list.
– Mike Perry announced this week a new promotion with new rules. He announced a company called Dirty Boxing Championships that he’s starting along with his team at First Round Management, Adam Kovacs (Karate Combat) and Josh McLean. It will combine boxing with five ounce gloves and allow limited ground-and-pound. It will be fought in an 18×18 boxing ring with strikes allowed from fists, slaps, palms and elbows. If someone is knocked down, they can finish with ground-and-pound. The person punching has to remain on his feet. They are looking at debuting in September or October.
– AEW didn’t have the Elton John Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting open on last night’s show in Arlington, TX. No word as to why. It was expensive to use and there have been cutbacks on using some expensive music.
– Tonight’s A&E Biography wll be on Mark Henry at 8 p.m.
– The story behind the International belt from last night’s TNA show is that former Vermont promoter Gary Hathaway hold old plaques from one of the International title belts from Quebec in the 80s. They made a belt to look like the one used for International Wrestling, dominated by Dino Bravo, in the late 70s through mid 80s. a In storyline, AJ Francis bought it from Gino Brito and since the lineage goes back to the 30s it’s why he used names like Bravo, King Tonga (Haku) and Lou Thesz. The big crowd (more than 3,000 but not the 4,000 number used, I was told 3,500 max) was a tribute to the promotional work of PCO, as well as local wrestlers who were allowed into a dark match Battle Royal if they sold a certain number of tickets. PCO, who sold a ton of tickets himself, got the biggest live reaction followed by Mike Bailey and Joe Hendry. Hendry’s T-shirt for the weekend said “Oui Believe” instead of “I believe.” Lots of you screwed Bret chants for Earl Hebner, whose surprise appearance was booed more than anyone on the show. AJ Francis was second. This was the first time French language commentator Marc Blondin worked ringside on a PPV after a 40 year career. The security guard who held Bailey’s feet in the angle at the end with Ali was Zak Patterson, the son of author Bertrand Hebert (Patterson, Andre & Mad Dog bios as well as the great Montreal history book,). Hebert worked with PCO in promoting the show locally. Former area stars Paul LeDuc, Richard Charland, Louis Laurence (who trained Vampiro originally) and Gilles “The Fish” Poisson/Louis Cyr were in attendance. Kim LeDuc, who founded the first all-women’s promotion in Quebec in 2006 was also there (thanks to Pat Laprade)
– At tonight’s tapings in Montreal, new champion Nic Nemeth defends against Mustafa Ali and PCO defends the International and Digital belts against Moose. There will also be a PCO/Steph De Lander wedding angle. Other bouts have Jordynne Grace & Eric Young vs. Alex Hammerstone & Ash By Elegance, Jake Something vs. Steve Maclin and Masha Slamovich vs. Jody Threat.
– At the DDT Peter Pan show, which went five hours, was told there were great matches with Konosuke Takeshita vs. Masato Tanaka, Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino vs. Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge for the KO-D tag titles and Yui Ueno vs Mao for the KO-D title was said to be awesome. The champions retained in both matches.
– Raul Rosas Jr. vs Aoriqlieng was added to the UFC show at The Sphere on 9/14. Since the show is going to emphasize Mexican-American and Mexican fighters, Rosas being on it makes sense. Rosas, who is 19, the youngest fighter on the roster, is 3-1 in UFC competition.
– The NWA announced world tag team champions Blunt Force Trauma defending against 2023 Crockett Cup winners Mike Nox & Trevor Murdoch on the 8/31 NWA 76th anniversary show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
– Defy from Friday night in Seattle: Artemis Spencer b Mark Haskins (from UK), Marina Shafir b Amira to keep the Defy women’s title, Anthony Bowens & Randy Myers b Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl, Man Like DeReiss (UK) b Evan Rivers, Sebastian Wolfe b Coco Flash, Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas b Sinner & Saint and champions Bollywood Boyz to win the tag titles. Next show is 9/20 at Washington Hall in Seattle. Max Caster wasn’t able to make the show due to the Microsoft glitch that caused all the computer errors including at many airports.
– At yesterday’s All Japan show, Musashi issued a challenge to Naruki Doi for a World jr. title match and Doi turned him down saying he’d only defend against an All Japan roster member, Musashi then asked President Fukuda at the timekeeper’s table and asked to join the promotion full-time and Fukuda agreed, to a big pop and chants (thanks to Gerard Di Trolio)
– Bleeding Gums Wrestling ran a show at The Ice Factory in Perth, Scotland called Wire & Ice, featuring the first-ever no rope barbed wire death match in Scotland featuring Jack Harrop vs. Alton Thorne. Harrop won. Historian Bradley Craig noted to us that deathmatch culture has now expanded into Scotland.
– Ruthless Pro Wrestling from last night in Berwyn, IL: Schwartzy & Randi West b Brutus Dylan & Bull Bronson, Rickey Shane Page & Vincent Nothing b Zach Thomas & Gregory Iron, Remingon Rhor b Chuck Stein Shlak b Eric Dillinger, Tommy Vendetta b Otis Cogar, Judge Joe Dredd Casanova Valentine, Atticus Cogar kept the heavyweight title over Jake Crist, Malcolm Monroe III b Drake Younger (thanks to Leonard Brand)
