Tag: bear bronson

TNA wrestler reflects on AEW experience: ‘Felt like a signed extra’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Bear Bronson opened up about his experience in AEW and compared it to the environment in TNA. 

Speaking with Busted Open After Dark, Bronson compared working with AEW and TNA. He cited that he felt like an extra on AEW with not much to contribute with his presence. However, on TNA, he was instantly welcomed by the roster and personnel. 

“So if I could explain the difference between the two and I’m not throwing any shade here but when I was with AEW, in all of five years, from start to finish, I felt like a signed extra, if that makes sense. Where you’re just kind of there whether you’re there or not, it doesn’t really make a big difference, and on the complete other end of the spectrum is with TNA. I actually feel like an important part of the piece moving forward, and it’s funny because I came to the company at the same time as The Righteous who I’m very close with, and we both have very similar journeys, where we feel like we found a new home, where we are like, ‘We can really sink our teeth, and give all of our talents and give everything we have to push a company forward.’”

“I feel like even in my first weekend with TNA, I felt welcomed immediately by the entire roster, all these people I don’t know. The team, the entire team I just met, I felt welcomed immediately.”

Bronson officially signed with TNA in January this year. He was previously associated with AEW and ROH for nearly five years. Despite not competing on AEW since the latter part of 2024, Bronson was still signed until his contract expired. He participated on the indies before joining the TNA roster. 

TNA reportedly blocked MJF opponent for planned GCW match

Posted on by Josh Nason

A new report from Fightful Select Wednesday revealed yet another MJF match was pulled due to a decision by TNA management, this one coming last month.

The outlet reported that the reigning AEW World Champion was set to face Bear Bronson as part of a GCW event in March but “TNA blocked it.”

The news comes on the heels of a wild day in which former TNA and WWE World Champion Nic Nemeth was pulled from a May bout with MJF while X-Division Champion Leon Slater was pulled from a match next week against Ricochet as part of the WrestleCon SuperShow in Las Vegas.

The reason, according to Fightful sources, is that Silva was unhappy with the fact AEW Collision ran head-to-head with last Thursday’s Impact even though that was a WBD call and not AEW’s due to NCAA tournament action.

The outlet noted earlier Wednesday that TNA had been pulling talent due to “partner conflicts.” WWE is a partner to TNA.

One of those considerations, however, did not affect Jody Threat who both took on and defeated Mercedes Mone last week in Winnipeg for Mone’s final championship. It’s unclear why that was different.

Bear Bronson: If you are unhappy in a promotion, ‘you need to leave’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bear Bronson hopes to have set an example that other wrestlers can learn from.

Last June, Bronson departed AEW when his contract with the promotion expired. He then spent time reestablishing himself on the indies before joining TNA Wrestling, where he’s received a bigger push than he did in AEW. Bronson was largely off television toward the end of his AEW run. He was best known as one half of the now-defunct tag team Bear Country/Iron Savages while with AEW.

The I Love Wrestling Podcast spoke with Bronson about his time with TNA so far. Betting on himself was scary, but Bronson is thrilled that it has paid off. He does not blame AEW for not utilizing him more. Bronson feels every wrestling promotion is just trying to do their best, and you’re not always going to be in their plans.

“This is just everything that I’ve ever wanted,” he said about TNA. “It’s something that I hope wrestlers can learn from. To where, if you are unhappy somewhere, you could point fingers and you can blame and whatever, whatever. But at the end of the day, every wrestling company is just trying. They’re just trying their best with the pieces that they have, and they’re not always thinking about you.

“So if you are unhappy, you need to leave. And you need to go get yourself battle ready. Because that’s what I knew I needed to do. I left one place and said, ‘You know what? I’m not going to even try to get signed anywhere else. I just need to reconnect with the wrestler that I know is inside here.’ And I think between then and now, I’ve had about 120 matches under my belt since leaving. Then I had places knocking on my door. And that’s where it feels right, and that is where — I’m a completely different animal than I was before. A completely different animal.”

It was officially announced this January that Bronson has signed a contract with TNA. He’s a member of The System with Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, and Cedric Alexander. Bronson and his mentor Myers are the current number one contenders to TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys.

New number one contenders determined for TNA World Tag Team titles

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

TNA World Tag Team Champions Jeff and Matt Hardy now have a new challenge ahead of them.

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, episode of TNA Impact, The System (Brian Myers & Bear Bronson) faced off against the Righteous (Vincent & Dutch), Sinner and Saint(Judas Icarus & Travis Williams), and Rich Swann and BDE in a Four-Way tag team number one contenders match for the TNA World Tag Team titles.

In the final moments, Myers and Bronson teamed up on BDE to keep him down for the three-count pinfall. Myers and Bronson of The System are now the number one contenders for Jeff and Matt Hardy’s TNA World Tag Team titles.

Despite the win tonight, it is currently not confirmed when Myers and Bronson of The System will face Jeff and Matt Hardy for the TNA World Tag Team titles.

TNA announces signing of Bear Bronson

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One month after debuting for the promotion, Bear Bronson is officially under contract with TNA Wrestling.

TNA announced today that Bronson has signed with the company. Since departing AEW in 2025, Bronson has reinvented himself as a singles competitor after previously being a tag team wrestler. He is now receiving a push in TNA as a new member of the faction The System.

“Truthfully, I’ve always known in my heart where I knew I needed to be, and that’s why it was a no-brainer when I got the opportunity to enter TNA Wrestling,” Bronson said in an interview with PWInsider. “It felt like a new home for me and the second they offered to sign me, I accepted. So today, I am delighted to confirm I am signed with TNA Wrestling.”

Bronson was trained at the Create-A-Pro Wrestling Academy in New York. While in AEW, he was known for being part of the team Bear Country with tag partner Bear Boulder. Their duo was dissolved last year when Boulder was fired from AEW following a domestic violence arrest. Bronson issued a statement strongly condemning Boulder following the arrest.

The announcement of Bronson’s signing comes after TNA also confirmed new deals for Elayna Black, Ash By Elegance, and Mr. Elegance (Andreas John Ziegler) this week.

BVV: Week two of TNA Impact on AMC was much better

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

The debut of TNA Impact on AMC was a clunker, but their second try was much better.

There was a lot of fun wrestling: Cedric Alexander vs. Moose; Indi Hartwell vs. M by Elegance (no, really!); the Feast or Fired match, which was a lot of fun to watch even if the idea behind it is still ridiculously stupid; and Jeff Hardy vs. Mustafa Ali.

There was an excellent promo by Mike Santana. And there were some big angles causing some much-needed shake-ups, including a main event segment that gave a very necessary hard reboot to a main event act that had grown terribly stale.

Let’s break it all down on the Big Vinny V Show!

Right Click Save As

TNA faction adds new members, kicks out others

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The final moments of Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, episode of TNA Impact witnessed a brand new change for The System.

Last week, JDC retired from in-ring competition at TNA Genesis against Eddie Edwards in a losing contest. During this Thursday’s episode, JDC announced Bear Bronson as his replacement in The System. However, things soon took a turn.

Bronson, Brian Myers, and Edwards joined forces to take down Moose and JDC as a stunned Alisha Edwards stood in the corner. The new trio of The System continued their attack on JDC and Moose as they kicked out the two veteran wrestlers.

However, fans then saw the arrival of Cedric Alexander with a steel chair. As the crowd expected him to side with Moose, he instead turned heel and dropped the former World Champion with a chair shot. Edwards later confirmed that Moose was now out of The System.

With JDC and Moose now former System members, the current faction includes Eddie and Alisha Edwards, Myers, Bronson, and Alexander, with the final two being new additions.

BVV: Can Bear Bronson be a star for TNA?

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Image: TNA Wrestling

The focus of TNA Impact the past few weeks was to make Bear Bronson look like a star. It worked in the short term, but will it last through 2026?

On this week’s Big Vinny V Show, Vince Verhei breaks down Bronson’s match against Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to find what worked, what didn’t, and where we all might go from here.

Elsewhere on the show:

  • Santino is sad but still does his job in the same half-assed and illogical manner
  • The Angel Warriors battle the Elegance Brand
  • The Rascalz battle each other for an X Division title shot
  • The Righteous waste a lot of TV time

We’ll break it all down on the Big Vinny V Show!

Right Click Save As or watch on YouTube with a paid sub

TNA Impact live results: Frankie Kazarian vs. Bear Bronson World title match

Posted on by Joseph Collins

The TNA World title will be on the line as part of the first TNA Impact for 2026 as Frankie Kazarian will defend against newcomer Bear Bronson.

Bronson won a 20-man battle royal in December in his first match in TNA to earn the shot with the winner moving on to defend against Mike Santana at this month’s Genesis PPV.

After issuing an open challenge last month, Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford & Mila Moore will take on Indi Hartwell, Jada Stone & Jody Threat.

The Angel Warriors (Knockouts Champion Lei Ying Lee & Xia Brookside) face Heather & M of The Elegance Brand.

In singles action, Mustafa Ali faces Home Town Man while both The Righteous and The System will appear in promo segments.

**********

Taped from El Paso, Texas. 

Tom Hannifan & Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. 

The Angel Warriors (Knockouts Champion Lei Ying Lee & Xia Brookside) vs.  Heather & M by Elegance (w/ The Concierge)

If I can be serious for a minute, M went for a kick on Lee and she snatched her leg into a half crab. Brookside got the tag and caught M with a rana out of the corner. Brookside hit a meteora in the corner then a Russian Legsweep for a near fall. Heather caught Brookside with a shot from behind so the Elegance Brand could take control. 

The IInspiration were shown watching the action from the back. M hit a version of a drive-by on Brookside that looked like it sent Brookside into the turnbuckle headfirst, and Heather got a near fall. 

Tags were made on both sides, and Lee took M down with rapid strikes and a knee. Brookside jumped off of Lee’s back for an elbow drop to get a near fall. M came back with a superkick. Just as I started to think this match was going to long, Dani Luna ran in to attack Lee from behind, taking her out of the match. M tied up Brookside with a bow and arrow, and Heather came off the top with a double stomp to get the pinfall. 

Match Result: Heather and M by Elegance win by pinfall (6:17) 

— In the back, Santino Marella was depressed about getting hit in the groin by his daughter, and gave a note to Gia Miller for “Tom and Jerry” to read on the television. Who I guess are Hannifan and Rehwoldt, because after a commercial break, they announced the contents of the note. Stacks will defend the International title against Steve Maclin next week. And at Genesis, Leon Slater will defend the X-Division title against Moose and Cedric Alexander while Mustafa Ali will take on Elijah. 

Mustafa Ali (w/ Order 4)  vs.  Home Town Man

Ali went for his rolling neckbreaker, but The Home Town Man countered with a TKO for a near fall. HTM hit the home town elbow drop and a bulldog. John Skylar and Jason Hodge distracted the Home Town Man, and Ali caught him with a kick. Ali finished HTM with the 450 Splash. 

Match Result: Ali pinned the Home Town Man (3:00).

After the match, an Elijah doppelgänger (perhaps his brother Ezekiel?) was seen on the entrance stage, so Ali sent Hodge and Skylar after him. Elijah snuck up behind Ali in the ring and almost hit him with the guitar, than sang the Home Town Man’s theme song to annoy Ali. 

— None of the Rascalz want to talk to Santino about getting them another X-Division Title shot. But they go in to Santino’s office and ask for a title shot. Depressed Santino succinctly laid out that the Rascals can fight each other, the winner can get a title shot at Leon Slater on the AMC premiere, and then the winner of that match can defend in the triple threat at Genesis. Depressed Santino is better at his job than happy Santino. 

The NXT Invaders Speak

The group is now being lead by Arianna Grace, who takes the mic and complains about being in Santino’s shadow. Her dad didn’t even have the guts to tell her he wasn’t booking her for TNA anymore; she had to find out through the travel office! So now she stands by Stacks. Stacks took the mic to let Santino know that Arianna is his girl now, “and sometimes, she even calls me daddy!” Stacks and Arianna made out. Grace as the mouthpiece of the group over Lexis King (who was relegated to standing off to the side making goofy faces) is an improvement. 

Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford & Mila Moore (w/ Robert Stone) vs.  Indi Hartwell, Jada Stone & Jody Threat.

Krystall Poppin, a musical artist with a lot of iTunes downloads, rapped a song while Blanchard’s group made their entrance. 

Threat took on both Crawford and Moore at once, suplexing Moore and then slamming Crawford on top of her. The babyfaces booted all three heels to the floor, then Jada Stone came off the tope with a springboard tope con hilo (assisted by her partners) onto all three of her opponents. 

Back in the ring, Threat and Moore squared off. Moore escaped a slam, but Threat caught her with a clothesline for a near fall. Jada Stone hit a sliding clothesline and a standing moonsault and got a near fall on Moore. Stone caught Moore with a gamengiri. Jada Stone went to the tope, but Robert Stone distracted her, and Moore slammed Jada off the top, allowing the heels to take control. 

Moore got a near fall after a suplex. Blanchard hit a sliding elbow on Stone’s back (who was leaning against the ropes), bending her backwards in an ugly way. 

Moore worked over Jada with a chinlock. Jada elbowed her way out, ducked a kick and got the tag to Hartwell. Hartwell hit a spinebuster on Moore for a near fall. Threat tagged in and dropped Moore with a Michinoku Driver, but Blanchard broke up the pin attempt. Crawford jumped Hartwell, and soon everyone was fighting. 

Jada Stone and Moore collided in the middle of the ring. Blanchard went to the top, but Jada Stone followed her up to try for a superplex. Robert Stone distracted Jada, and Blanchard shoved her down. Blanchard came off the top and hit Magnum, but Mila Moore got the blind tag and slid in to take the pinfall. 

Match Result: Blanchard, Moore & Crawford were victorious when Moore pinned Jada Stone (8:51 aired)

The TNA Injury Report: 

  • Everyone from the steel cage match a few weeks ago has been cleared. 
  • Elijah is still NOT cleared from his torn triceps injury. 
  • Lei Ying Lee is being evaluated after being attacked by Dani Luna at the start of the show.

Fallout from The Righteous Kidnapping of Matt Hardy

Two weeks ago, the Righteous kidnapped Matt Hardy, who found himself waking up in a well-lit barn (which was apparently, according to Matt later, a “Hardy Shrine”). After coming around, Vincent offers his help to the Hardys to reach even higher peaks. Dutch tried to offer Matt a gift, but he slapped Dutch’s hand away and left. 

Back to the arena, the Righteous came out to the ring. The crowd chanted “We Want Matt!” while Vincent cut a promo. Vincent said “he’s just a reflection” of Jeff Hardy. This promo was going nowhere, and the Hardys came out to retort. 

Matt called The Righteous creepy. Matt thought waking up surrounded by Righteous in a “Hardy Shrine” and their whole deal was creepy and kind of cultish. The Hardys aren’t interested in anything but fighting the Righteous, but Vincent and Dutch don’t want to fight. They want “brotherhood.” 

The Hardys have enough “brotherhood” with each other, so Matt and Jeff reject their offer. They want the Righteous out of their lives. If the Hardys won’t accept help from the Righteous, then things will have to go “a different way.” All the Hardys are more interested in elevating TNA into the AMC era. And that was it. 

These four need to get to the fighting already. I get the plan probably for them to not have them get physical until a Genesis or AMC, but this is not the way.

Trey Miguel v. Myron Reed v. Zachary Wentz for a shot at the X-Division Championship.

Leon Slater was on commentary and will face the winner of this match on the AMC premiere. 

The match started with two of the Rascalz double-teaming the third guy, then arguing when one would go for the cover. That would lead to two different guys double-teaming the third until one went for a pin, then they’d argue and start to go at it, repeating the cycle. Miguel went for a dive on the floor but Wentz caught him with a cutter. Reed then hit Wentz with a dive, and then Miguel followed with a springboard plancha. Back in the ring, Miguel hit Reed with a meteora off the top for a near fall. Wentz hit the UFO cutter on Migeul, but Reed came off with the springboard 450 on Wentz and got the pinfall. This was fine but I was expecting much more. 

Match Result: Myron Reed won via pinfall over Wentz (6:16)

The System Speaks

The System came out to the ring for some more talking. Eddie Edwards talked up JDC’s last match with him and promised it will get crazy at Genesis. JDC wants one more match with System altogether, and Santino has made such a match for next week in El Paso: The System v. Cedric Alexander, Leon Slater and The Hardys. 

— In the back, Gia Miller got the Hardys reaction to the previously announced match, and Matt thinks it’s the perfect way to “enter the AMC era.” The Hardys opened the door to their locker room, which has been turned into a creepy Hardy shrine by the Righteous. 

— Also next week on Impact, Dani Luna v. Harley Hudson. 

Bear Bronson v. Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Championship

Bear Bronson is excited to be in TNA. Kazarian still isn’t getting top heel heat. Bronson floored Kazarian with a back elbow to stop. Kazarian tried a chop in the corner, but Bronson said “give me some more, Frankie!” then mauled Frankie in the corner with chops and forearms. Bronson tossed Kazarian in the air with a high backdrop, and Kazarian dropped to the floor to regroup.  

Kazarian decided to walk out on the match, but Bronson followed him out and whipped him into the ring apron, then gorilla-press slammed him into the ring. 

Back in the ring, Kazarian came back and hit Bronson with a legdop and a clothesline. Kazarian choked Bronson against the ropes. Kazarian hit a sliding knee, then worked over Bronson’s back with forearms. Bronson tried to mount a comeback, but a Kazarian dropkick cut that off. Bronson tried another brief flurry of offense, but Kazarian cut him off again with a double chop to the chest. 

Kazarian tried to wear down Bronson with a cravat. Bronson got to his feet, but Kazarian transitioned from the cravat into a neckbreaker for a near fall.  Kazarian worked a front facelock on Bronson, and the crowd started getting behind the former member of Bear Country. 

Kazarian floored Bronson with a clothesline. Kazarian went for a sunset flip off the middle rope, but Bronson blocked it and sat down on Kazarian—HARD. Bronson fired up with clothesline and a back suplex. Bronson hit an avalanche in the corner and then a powerslam for a near fall. Bronson tried for a choke bomb, but Kazarian countered with a jumping DDT for two. 

Kazarian went for the chicken wing but Bronson broke it by biting Kazarian’s finger! Bronson went for an avalanche, but Kazarian ducked out, so Bronson floored him with a clothesline. Bronson followed up with a plancha to the floor and fired up the crowd. Bronson threw Kazarian in the steps shoulder first. 

Still on the floor, Bronson tore apart the ring steps. Bronson went for a powerslam on the steps, but Kazarian escaped and then slammed Bronson on steps. Kazarian ducked back into the ring and demanded the referee count. Bronson beat the count at nine. Kazarian went for a legdrop, but Bronson turned that into a crucifix for two. Bronson went for a powerbomb, but his back gave out, and Kazarian hit the Fade to Black. 

Match Result: Frankie Kazarian pinned Bronson Reed after the Fade to Black (13:09 aired). 

After the match, Carlos Silva presented Kazarian the world title belt. Mike Santana came through the crowd to cut a promo. Santana congratulated Kazarian, but not for the title win. Santana congratulated Kazarian because TNA officials are pulling the Santana/Kazarian title match at Genesis… and instead putting it on the AMC Premiere episode of TNA Impact on January 15th! 

Final Thoughts:

TNA is doing a good job building up a couple of important shows all at once. Hopefully they do the right thing on the AMC Premiere show and that title match ends with Santana getting his hand raised without Nic Nemeth coming out to screw him (but I’m not holding my breath…).

TNA crowns new number one contender for World title

Posted on by Ethan Renner

There is a new number one contender for Frankie Kazarian’s TNA World Championship.

The winner of a number one contender’s battle royal on Thursday’s TNA Impact would earn a World title shot at Kazarian on the first new Impact episode of 2026, set for Thursday, January 1.

That winner? Bear Bronson.

Bronson was the sole survivor in the 20-man battle royal and will challenge Kazarian for the World title on the Thursday, January 15 Impact show.

Eric Young and Ryan Nemeth made up the final three competitors in the battle royal along with Bronson, with Young ending up the final elimination.

Bronson made his TNA debut on the Countdown to Final Resolution pre-show earlier this month, weeks after a report emerged that the company was interested in the free agent and former AEW tag team wrestler. Now, he’s the number one contender to the TNA World title.

Josh Nason’s report from Thursday’s Impact which also featured a Team TNA vs. Team NXT cage match is available here. The show also saw Arianna Grace turn on her father Santino Marella and siding with her fiance Stacks, the TNA International Champion.

Multiple debuts at TNA Final Resolution

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Multiple wrestlers made their surprise TNA debuts at Friday night’s Final Resolution event.

In an unannounced open challenge on the Countdown to Final Resolution pre-show, Bear Bronson and Brock Anderson made their TNA debuts alongside CW Anderson as the opponents for The System’s Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, and Moose. CW has worked occasional dates for TNA dating back to 2004. Brock took the pin from Myers in the trios match.

Vincent and Dutch of The Righteous also debuted on the Final Resolution program, confronting Matt and Jeff Hardy after the Hardys retained their TNA Tag Team titles in a victory over Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe of WWE NXT.

Prior to the Tag Team title bout, a mystery vignette aired on the video wall allowing Dupont and Igwe to get a jumpstart on The Hardys. The vignette was a tease for The Righteous.

The Righteous left AEW and ROH earlier this year.

Our full report from Final Resolution is available here.

Report: TNA interested in former AEW wrestler

Posted on by Bryan Rose

TNA are in talks with a former AEW wrestler.

Fightful Select reported on Tuesday that they have had conversations with Bear Bronson to work at their upcoming tapings in El Paso on December 5 through 7. According to the report, those in TNA have said they are hopeful that they can sign him if all goes well.

One of Fightful’s AEW sources also said AEW had interest in bringing him back.

Bronson made his AEW debut in 2020 as part of Bear Country with Bear Boulder, and together the two were often seen on AEW television, usually losing to other tag teams. Eventually, they were rebranded as The Iron Savages with Jacked Jameson joining the act. In February, Boulder was released after he was arrested for domestic battery, with Bronson departing soon after. Jameson remains in AEW as part of The Frat House with Cole Karter, Preston Vance, and Griff Garrison.

Since his departure, Bronson has been working heavily on the independent scene, working dates for GCW, Wrestling Open, and Limitless.

Daily Update: Asuka, Zoey Stark, Bear Bronson

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site right now:
  • WBD will split into two companies, what this means for the future of cable, for AEW, for the legacy of TBS, TNT and CNN, for TNT Sports and what and when this all goes into effect regarding AEW.
  • More on WrestleMania going back to Las Vegas
  • The story on Ron Killings being cut why they had to bring him back and all the ramifications regarding it
  • The story behind Gunther beating Jey Uso for the world tite and set up
  • Full King of the Ring coverage, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event main event, Night of Champions, Evolution and future WWE major events.
  • Full UFC 316 coverage and Kayla Harrison garners one of the most impressive combat sports resumes in history
  • The story behind Worlds Collide, the history packages, behind the scenes, Mr. Iguana and his background, all the ratings numbers, TripleMania Regia and more.
  • Ben Askren fights for his life
  • Latest developments in the Janel Grant lawsuit
  • Mark Kerr goes into UFC Hall of  Fame meaning Dwayne Johnson will induct him
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows including comparing cable vs. network, cable vs. streaming, how Rw is really doing, four-hour AEW marathon shows, NBA competition and more
  • Arena Mexico has one of its best matches of the year
  • New Japan Dominion noes
  • Notes on the G-1 tournament
  • Why Greg Oliver was so valuable to pro wrestling
  • Bret Hart talks Vince McMahon
  • Final X notes
  • Former ROH star retires
  • Wrestler trading card auctioned off for more than $80,000
  • Wrestlers who had matches in seven different decades
  • Former WWF wrestler makes a grandstand challenge for Hulk Hogan
  • RAF signs Olympic gold medalist
  • Update on lawsuit against AEW
  • Grand Slam Mexico notes
  • All In notes
  • Komander injury
  • Dana White and Nick Khan back promoting the biggest fight of 2025 and how it looks to have gone down
  • BJ Penn arrested again
  • Notes on TKO stock and media rights talks
  • Lots of new WWE signings

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

Bear Bronson: AEW saw Iron Savages as just ‘an enhancement thing’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Bear Bronson spoke about his time in AEW and what’s next for his career during an appearance on the Wrestling Junkies podcast.

Bronson’s AEW contract expired on June 1 and was not renewed, making the former member of the Iron Savages a free agent. He says he grew frustrated with his position in the company and being told he should just be grateful to be used at all.

“I’m not going to say I ever fell out of love with wrestling but I do believe I hit a point in AEW where I felt complacent, just with the role that we were given. And when you’re surrounded by a lot of people that pressure you to just be grateful, be grateful you’re getting used for that minute and 30 seconds, you kind of put yourself in this mode of forcing yourself to be happy with what you’re doing when I’m looking at my best friends on top of the world becoming world champions and even my peers in the locker room chasing the things they want. But I have a lot of people looking down on me saying, ‘Just be happy you’re used,’ that kind of gets to you over time.”

Bronson also spoke about being inspired by Mike Santana’s decision to leave AEW after growing unhappy with his role in the company.

“Another person who was a huge inspiration along the way was Mike Santana. We watched Mike Santana leave AEW, even though this guy was in the Inner Circle at one point, he was doing great but as time went on things just… I’m sure many people were in his ear, ‘Dude, just be grateful, be grateful for where you are’ and he had the balls to be like, ‘No, this isn’t what I want, I want more than this.'”

Bronson says Santana told him recently, “You’re not starting from square one, you’re starting from experience.”

“That stuck with me like crazy,” Bronson said.

He also shared that he spoke with someone in AEW management about the possibility of the Iron Savages moving up the card and was told the act was only seen as enhancement talent.

“I asked them, ‘Is this something that can grow bigger? Over the next year, can we rise up the card?’ They were very honest with us. Somebody got back to me and said, ‘No, they just see this as an enhancement thing.’ And that’s where I was like, ‘Oh man, I gotta get the f— out of here.'”

He continued, “When I got into wrestling, when I started as a wrestler, your dream isn’t to be the guy that is already in the ring and loses in 30 seconds, your dream is to main event WrestleMania. Your dream is to be a star, be a top guy, be the best performer you can possibly be. So when they told me that, it was like sirens went off in my head.”

“Again, that’s no knock on them either. They have a lot of signed people, they have a lot of people they need to cater to. Tony Khan and AEW aren’t sitting at home thinking about Bear Bronson. So I don’t blame them. That’s not their fault.”

Bronson has recently performed for promotions such as Beyond Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, C4, and Wrestling Open. His former tag partner, Bear Boulder, was released by AEW in January following his arrest for battery by strangulation.

Bronson’s full appearance on the Wrestling Junkies podcast is available below:

Bear Bronson departing AEW as contract not renewed

Posted on by Ian Carey

Image: Bear Bronson

Bear Bronson has announced that his time with AEW is coming to an end.

On Saturday, Bronson revealed that his contract expires on June 1 and he will officially become a free agent the following day.

“Tomorrow, I am officially a free agent in pro wrestling To everyone that believes in me, To my family, & to my beautiful wife: I love you all, I’m grateful to live this life & grind. Now, I chase EVERYTHING I’ve ever dreamed of in full force & bet on BEAR FUCKING BRONSON!”

Bronson had previously been part of the Iron Savages tag team alongside Bear Boulder. In February, it was revealed that Boulder had been fired by AEW following a January arrest on assault charges. The victim was later reported to be Boulder’s fiancée. The duo began teaming in 2017 and signed with AEW in May 2020.

Despite not being featured on AEW programming, Bronson has remained active in recent months, wrestling for promotions such as Beyond Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, C4, and Wrestling Open.

AEW Departures

Bronson joins Abadon and Mariah May as the latest wrestlers to leave the company. Abadon announced earlier this week that her contract will not renewed when it expries in June, while May’s profile was recently removed from AEW’s website amid reports she is WWE-bound.