More on a potential Enzo Amore & Big Cass reunion.
In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was noted that Amore is set to return to NXT soon. However, there hasn’t been much discussion on Big Cass, who remains under AEW contract.
“The current plan has Enzo Amore to be in NXT soon. Nothing on Big Bill, the former Big Cass, is official or even talked about heavily in the company, but outside the company there is a lot of talk,” Meltzer wrote. He compared the situation to Chris Jericho’s, where just because someone is off television for a period, doesn’t necessarily mean they are on their way out.
Bill’s last AEW match to date was in early April, when he and Bryan Keith wrestled during a set of Ring of Honor tapings.
The two became big stars in NXT. After being called up to the main roster, the two enjoyed further success before Cass turned against Enzo Amore. After their feud, the two continued as singles wrestlers until Amore was released in 2018 following sexual assault allegations. The Phoenix Police Department later announced that his case had been closed with no charges filed. In the time since his release, Amore was worked the independent scene.
Cass was released the same year and struggled with addiction following his departure. He eventually found sobriety and signed with TNA in 2021 before joining AEW one year later.
“Fightful Select has since learned from those close to Enzo Amore that some promoters are being told that he was not taking bookings in the future that he regularly would be taking,” the report reads. “Those promoters are operating on the assumption that Enzo is headed to WWE and will be signing there.”
Meanwhile, Big Cass’ contract with AEW/ROH (where he has been wrestling as Big Bill) is still reportedly expiring in the next few weeks. His last match with the promotion was a win alongside Bryan Keith against Nick Halen & Vin Parker in ROH on April 6.
Amore and Cass had teamed in NXT/WWE for several years before splitting up in 2017. Amore went on to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, but he was suspended and then released early in 2018 following an accusation of sexual assault. No charges were ever filed in the case.
Cass was released later that year due to behavioral problems. He has since discussed the alcoholism and other issues he was battling at the time. After a stint in Impact/TNA, he signed with AEW in 2022. He would go on to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships along with Ricky Starks (now wrestling on SmackDown as Ricky Saints).
New reports suggest WWE is interested in reuniting Enzo Amore and Big Cass for a return.
According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, WWE is interested in reuniting and bringing back Enzo Amore and Big Cass to the company. They have maintained a positive relationship with several producers backstage including from their NXT days. Big Cass’s AEW contract is reportedly set to expire by the end of May.
A few days ago, Amore was reportedly at the WWE Performance Center. He debuted in WWE in 2012 but was released in 2018 when sexual assault allegations came forward. Later, he made his wrestling return and competed in NJPW, MLW and even made his TNA debut at the 2025 Slammiversary pre-show.
Meanwhile, Cass signed with AEW in 2022 and made his official debut in May that year.
The two united as a heel tag team on NXT in 2013. They challenged for the WWE Tag Team titles on numerous occasions. Amore’s mic skills and Cass’s intimidating stature, made them a fan-favorite with their diverse in-ring personas.
Former WWE star Enzo Amore was reportedly at the Performance Center yesterday ahead of the NXT broadcast on the CW Network.
According to a new report from False Finish: “False Finish has learned that former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore has been at the WWE Performance Center recently and was there yesterday ahead of #WWENXT“
Amore was originally suspended from WWE on January 22, 2018, due to sexual assault allegations and then subsequently released on January 23, 2018, with the WWE website reporting: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore).“
For context, the sexual assault case against Enzo Amore closed with no charges filed. A representative for the Phoenix Police Department stated, “The case has been investigated to its fullest extent, while working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The case has been closed. This would not preclude the case from reopening, should new evidence come to light.”
Could Enzo Amore and Big Cass return to WWE?
Intriguingly, Fightful Select reportedly back in April that there was the belief Big Bill’s AEW contract was coming up at the end of May or the start of June. There was no news on contract negotiations or the chances of his returning.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion hasn’t been in the promotion since an eight-man February parking lot street fight on Collision, one of just two AEW matches he’s had this calendar year.
With Big Bill/Big Cass potentially back on the free agent market soon and Enzo Amore free to sign anywhere (as far as we believe), there’s a very good chance we see them back in WWE at some point.
False Finish has learned that former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore has been at the WWE Performance Center recently and was there yesterday ahead of #WWENXTpic.twitter.com/tiAufXJ7cG
W. Morrissey is done with Impact Wrestling with his final match airing Thursday night.
PWInsider first reported the news Thursday, but didn’t have details as to whose decision it was to move on. It’s unknown what is next for the 34-year-old.
Morrissey, a former World title challenger, will team with PCO to take on Moose and Steve Maclin in a match taped several weeks ago.
The former Big Cass in WWE has talked about dealing with mental health issues, alcoholism and health issues that saw him have a seizure at an indie show in December 2018. He took nearly two years off between 2019 through 2021, returning in February 2021 as a surprise for Luke Gallows’ promotion, looking in fantastic shape.
He signed with Impact in April 2021 and debuted at that year’s Rebellion in an eight-man tag team match. During the last year, he feuded with Eddie Edwards, Matt Cardona and then-World Champion Moose, unsuccessfully unseating the champion at this past February’s No Surrender.
He has continued to work select indies like Northeast Wrestling and made his AEW debut last month against Wardlow as a hired gun as part of the MJF storyline.
It’s the latest talent to leave Impact in recent months as JONAH, Willie Mack and The IInspiration have also moved on for different reasons.
Big Cass appeared on tonight’s Impact Rebellion event under a new name, filling in for Eric Young.
Cass appeared at Rebellion under the name W. Morrissey. He replaced Eric Young in a match where he teamed up with the rest of Violent by Design (Joe Doering, Rhino, and Deaner) to take on James Storm, Chris Sabin, Willie Mack, and Eddie Edwards. Morrisey picked up the win for his team, pinning Mack after hitting the East River Crossing. After the match, Morrissey continued to attack Mack as the rest of Violent by Design posed on the entrance ramp.
Right before the match, Young said in a backstage segment he was injured and unable to compete tonight. He told someone off-camera that they were not ready for the truth, or to join Violent by Design, but they were ready for the opportunity to show who they are.
Cass has been making appearances in the independent scene since February. He had disappeared from pro wrestling following an altercation at a WrestlePro show in September 2019 where he was kicked out of the building after an altercation with Joey Janela backstage.
For the first time since September 2019, the former Big Cass in WWE stepped into a ring, making a surprise appearance at Luke Gallows’ Lariato Pro Wrestling Saturday night in Lyons, Georgia.
Now going by The CaZXL, the 34-year-old was the mystery partner of Impact’s Hernandez as they faced off against Luke and Perry Hawx. As evident by the picture above, he arrived in fantastic shape.
Former WWE partner Enzo was also on the Lariato Pro show and retweeted a picture of the two while also retweeting a fan suggestion that Impact Wrestling sign the duo.
The road back for William Morrissey after being released by WWE in 2018 has been a winding one. Later that year, he worked for Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore and suffered a epiletic seizure while working a merchandise table at the show. He and former WWE partner Enzo made a surprise appearance at the ROH/New Japan Supershow at Madison Square Garden during WrestleMania weekend in 2019 which ended up going nowhere.
He later began a run with Northeast Wrestling that included a match against former roommate Jon Moxley. He also had a backstage incident with Joey Janela and Pat Buck at a September 2019 WrestlePro show that saw him kicked out of the building and police being called to escort him out which he later apologized for, admitting to struggling with depression.
Bayley going through a long-anticipated character change was the latest step in WWE refocusing on the Four Horsewomen.
Bayley & Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross main evented last Monday’s episode of Raw. Sasha Banks ran in and caused a disqualification by attacking Lynch. Banks struck Lynch with a steel chair until Bayley took it away from her. But instead of playing peacemaker between her friends, Bayley smiled and pummeled Lynch with the chair herself.
After beginning her heel turn and reuniting with Banks, Bayley cut a promo explaining her actions the next night on SmackDown. The crowd alternated between cheering and booing her. Bayley told the fans that their reaction was confusing. Instead of going full bore with the heel turn, Bayley spoke about her friendship with Banks and called Banks the one person who has always had her back. Bayley disingenuously talked about being a hero and a role model. She said she was trying to show kids what it means to be loyal and noted that she couldn’t turn her back on Banks just because things got rough. Bayley said that SmackDown deserves a champion that gets the same kind of recognition as Lynch.
In a move that has great ramifications in pro wrestling, Anthem Sport and Entertainment has purchased a majority interest in AXS TV and HDNet Movies and will begin running the two channels.
The deal also includes purchasing the AXS TV library of concerts, pro wrestling and MMA content, which would include U.S. broadcast rights to old ROH, many years of New Japan, WOW, and some defunct MMA promotions as well as countless smaller MMA shows.
Mark Cuban, who founded the stations, and AEG, his partners, will continue to own a minority interest. Part of the purchase team included Anthem, headed by Leonard Asper, and entertainer Steve Harvey, who will enter into a strategic content development agreement.
The company will continue operating from studios in Los Angeles and Denver, as well as use Anthem studios in Toronto, Nashville and Europe. The office in Dallas was closed down.
While not stated in the sales press release, as noted over the months this day has been in play, that if it was to go through, that Impact would move from The Pursuit Channel, where it has been dying on the vine, and move to AXS.
The deal actually first started with an attempt by Anthem to get Impact on AXS when they got word in the latter stages of 2018 that they weren’t going to be renewed by Pop TV. AXS turned down the initial deal, since Impact did not have a good reputation in the wrestling world at the time and AXS had its own wrestling franchise with New Japan.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
Additional notes by Joseph Currier
WWE
SmackDown is tonight at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The New Day will battle Randy Orton and The Revival in a six-man tag team match. A coronation for the new King of the Ring, Baron Corbin, will also take place, Shane McMahon will address the “firing” of Kevin Owens and there will be a sit-down interview with Erick Rowan.
Oney Lorcan vs. Tony Nese, Lince Dorado vs. Ariya Daivari, and Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher have been announced for tonight’s 205 Live.
FOX released an advertisement with former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon to promote SmackDown’s move to FOX and the WWE moving truck tour.
On Raw last night, it was officially confirmed that the Wild Card rule will be going away after next month’s draft.
In an interview with NXT fan Izzy, Tommaso Ciampa confirmed that he hasn’t been cleared to return, though Ciampa said he’s been told that he’ll eventually be able to wrestle again at some point.
The latest episode of Ten Pounds of Gold announced an NWA World title match between Nick Aldis and Tim Storm for their September 30 television tapings in Atlanta. That’s the first of two straight nights of tapings at GPB Studios.
After Big Cass apologized for the incident he was involved at WrestlePro’s show this past Saturday, Kevin Matthews tweeted that he believes in second chances and will book Cass again as soon as he’s good to go: “I’m all about second chances. The second Cass is good to go I will be the first one to happily book him on a future WrestlePro show.”
Enzo Amore sent out a tweet supporting Cass: “Thanx for all the love & support for @TheCaZXL. My man is going to kick out! Cause if he doesn’t I’ll break up the pin. Loyalty is love. I’ve learned a lot about our friendship this past year, & No matter what he decides to do with his future endeavors: Friendship > Business.”
Michael Elgin vs. Naomichi Marufuji is now official for Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory PPV. It’s taking place in Villa Park, Illinois on October 20.
This week’s MLW Fusion episode has been uploaded to YouTube. The War Chamber match between Tom Lawlor, Ross Von Erich, Marshall Von Erich & Low Ki (w/ Kevin Von Erich) and Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon) aired on the show.
Former WWE and AWA announcer Ken Resnick has joined VOC Nation Radio Network and will be part of their Wrestling with History program starting October 2.
The Rock has announced there will be a second season of The Titan Games.
Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will attend a press conference this Thursday for their fight at UFC 244. The press conference is taking place at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Madison Square Garden will host UFC 244 on November 2.
Anthony Pettis is interested in fighting Diego Sanchez next.
Sarah Frota has accepted a two-year sanction from USADA after testing positive for multiple stanozolol metabolites stemming from a urine test submitted the night of UFC 240, where she lost to Gillian Robertson.
I have been very honest with my past struggles, and it has been an ongoing battle. On Saturday night, I obviously let my demons get the better of me and I ruined an important night for a really great guy in an unfortunate series of events. I have worked incredibly hard to get where I am, and even harder to overcome my ongoing battle with depression. But I will work my absolute hardest to right the wrongs of Saturday night and apologize to Kevin Mathews, Pat Buck, Joey Janela, the entire WrestlePro locker room and all parties involved from the bottom of my heart.
I’m getting help from family and friends as we speak and will be getting professional help in the near future and ask all to please respect my privacy in the meantime.
When & if I reemerge as a public figure it will be in good faith and I hope to inspire those who struggle with the same mental health issues I do to seek the help they need. If Tyson Fury can do it….so can I.
Remember…I ain’t dead yet. And neither are you.
Peace and love,
William Patrick Morrissey III —
Kevin Matthews responded to Cass’ apology: “Myself and the entire @WrestlePro family are all behind you and wish you all the health and happiness in the world my friend. Can’t wait to see the new and improved CazXL! kick ass bud @TheCaZXL”
Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the WrestlePro incident on Wrestling Observer Radio on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Their report stated that — despite Amore and Joey Janela recently being involved in a separate altercation at a concert — there were no problems between Cass, Amore, and Janela when all three appeared for Northeast Wrestling in Waterbury, Connecticut on Friday.
Cass and Janela were both booked on Saturday’s WrestlePro show, which was a farewell event for promoter Pat Buck, who is joining WWE as a producer.
The Wrestling Observer Radio report noted that Cass showed up at WrestlePro in a “belligerent” state. He threatened (and may have also slapped) Janela. Cass also claimed that a sweater had been stolen from him and threatened people in the locker room if he didn’t find it.
Cass ended up getting in a confrontation with Buck, at which point Buck knocked him down with a punch. Alvarez said that everyone was sympathetic to Buck and that he didn’t hear anyone defending what Cass did.
After being taken out of the building, Cass then spoke to police outside. Police were reportedly concerned by things Cass said and his loud demeanor, and Cass was transported to a local hospital.
Janela tweeted about the incident the day after it happened: “Not gonna elaborate at all on this whole deal besides that it was probably the [most] bizzare situation I’ve ever seen let alone been a part of in a wrestling locker room in 15 years, everything was cordial and friendly Friday and I hope the dude gets back on the right track…”
Cass opened up about battling depression, anxiety, and alcohol issues in a video for the DDP Yoga YouTube channel in June.
The report states Cass appeared on a Northeast Wrestling event in Waterbury, Connecticut on Friday without incident. Also booked on the Northeast Wrestling show were Joey Janela and Morrissey’s WWE tag team partner, Enzo Amore (Eric Arndt).
Amore and Janela were recently involved in a separate altercation at a concert, but there were reportedly no problems between any of the three on Friday.
Cass and Janela were also booked on the WrestlePro show on Saturday in Rahway, New Jersey, which served as a farewell event for the show’s promoter, Pat Buck, who is joining WWE as a producer.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Cass showed up at WrestlePro in a “belligerent” state. He threatened (and may have also slapped) Janela. Cass also claimed that a sweater had been stolen from him and threatened people in the locker room if he didn’t find it.
Cass ended up getting in a confrontation with Buck, at which point Buck knocked him down with a punch. Alvarez noted that everyone was sympathetic to Buck. Alvarez said he didn’t hear anyone defending what Cass did.
After being taken out of the building, Cass then spoke to police outside. Police were reportedly concerned by things Cass said and his loud demeanor, and Cass was transported to a local hospital.
Current subscribers can listen to the full edition of Wrestling Observer Radio here.
Former WWE wrestlers Enzo Amore and Big Cass made an appearance at Saturday’s ROH-NJPW G1 Supercard show at MSG that might not be their last.
We are told the appearance was a work, but it’s unknown if the duo has signed a deal with Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling but more likely the former.
Following the IWGP tag team title match with the Guerillas of Destiny, Villain Enterprises, EVIL and SANADA, and the Briscoes, Enzo and Cass jumped the rail and started throwing punches with the Briscoes and then Bully Ray. Security, however, didn’t get involved.
The action wasn’t shown on the broadcast nor on the video boards inside the arena. Fans booed the duo heavily.
Here are some videos from Twitter users Luke Allen and Noah Walraven:
Amore (Eric Arndt) was released from WWE in January 2018 following sexual assault allegations. While the Phoenix, AZ, police department closed the case due to insufficient evidence, he was not rehired. He did make a scene at Survivor Series in Los Angeles last November by trying to get to ringside, but was escorted out quickly by security.
Cass (Will Morrissey) was released by WWE in June 2018 after issues with management. He has been working as Big Cazz and Big C on indies and had a seizure in December while doing an appearance at a House of Hardcore show.
After Big Cass suffered an apparent seizure at last night’s House of Hardcore show, Tommy Dreamer posted a brief update on his condition today.
Dreamer tweeted: “Spoke to @BigCassWWE today He is doing well.”
Cass didn’t wrestle at last night’s show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but was scheduled to be part of the event after intermission. Xfinity’s David Onda tweeted: “That was scary. It was intermission at the show, the lobby was packed with people checking out the merch tables. Cass went right down into his face. Fans immediately stepped back to give him room. Doc was called. Kind of chaotic. Dreamer was right by his side.”
Dreamer addressed the crowd about the situation. He asked the fans to say a prayer for Cass and said that Cass had suffered a seizure. Dreamer stressed that it wasn’t a drug-related matter and that he was with Cass all day. Cass was responsive after the seizure but was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Big Cass suffered what appeared to be a seizure during tonight’s House of Hardcore event.
David Onda of Xfinity, who was at the event, tweeted that Cass was in the arena lobby when he collapsed, landing right on his face. Fans stood back as a doctor was called and tended to him. Tommy Dreamer and Bully Ray were by his side as it all happened.
Onda later tweeted that Cass was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital. Cass was said to be responsive after the incident occurred.
Dreamer later addressed the crowd about the situation, saying that Cass had suffered a seizure. He also made sure to point out that it was not a drug-related matter.
Cass was scheduled to be a part of the show following the intermission. He made his debut for the promotion back on 12/1 in a losing effort against MVP. He’s continued to wrestle on the independent scene since his release from WWE back in June.
During an appearance on this weekend’s episode of Heated Conversations with Booker T, the former Big Cass (William Morrissey) opened up about his release from WWE and admitted to making “a lot of mistakes in a very short period of time” before being fired.
“If I’m going to be honest with you, I made a lot of mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes in a very short period of time. I did some things that I probably shouldn’t have done. I guess the company just — they couldn’t rely on me, they couldn’t trust me,” Cass said.
“Look, I’ll just be honest with you, in my opinion, they made the right decision for them. It was the right decision to get rid of me at that point in time,” Cass said. “Not saying I won’t be back, but at that point in time they definitely made the right decision for them. And to be honest with you, looking at it, they made the right decision for me.”
Booker T then asked Cass if he would have fired himself.
“Yeah, I would have. I definitely would have fired myself. If I was in Vince McMahon’s position, I would have fired myself for sure, 100 percent,” Cass said.
Cass was released by WWE on June 19, which was the Tuesday after he lost to Daniel Bryan at Money in the Bank. Dave Meltzer reported that a “series of things” led to Cass being fired. That included blowing off a rehearsal for a promo and then going long on the live version of it, and an incident where Cass went against what the company wanted and got more (worked) offense in than he was supposed to during a beatdown angle with a little person on SmackDown.
While speaking with Booker T, Cass mentioned getting signed by WWE not long after he began training with Johnny Rodz and said he never really got a chance to see what else was out there in professional wrestling. He said his goal is to come back to WWE.
When asked about potentially reuniting with Enzo Amore on the indies, Cass said they had something special but thinks the act ran its course and WWE separated them at the right time. Cass mentioned that he and Amore don’t keep in contact and aren’t friends. Cass said he’d be willing to reunite with Amore if the money is right and left the door open for them to become friends again, but he said he hasn’t fielded any offers to team with Amore and doesn’t think there’s a chance of it happening right now.
Cass said he hasn’t watched any wrestling since being released but mentioned being friends with Kevin Owens and Bryan and them telling him that the work outside WWE right now is incredible compared to when they were on the indies.
Big Cass (real name William Morrissey) has booked his first pro wrestling appearance since being released by WWE.
Big Time Wrestling announced today that Cass, who is now going by “Big Cazz,” will be appearing at their show at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on September 21: “Big Cazz FKA BIG CASS, returns to wrestling with BIG TIME WRESTLING! LIVE in Spartanburg, SC.”
WWE announced on June 19 that Cass had been released from the company. That was the Tuesday after Money in the Bank, where Daniel Bryan submitted Cass to end their feud. Their program began when Cass returned to WWE television in April and moved to SmackDown in this year’s Superstar Shakeup. He was coming back from suffering a torn ACL in August 2017.
WWE didn’t wish Cass well in his future endeavors when announcing his release online, and Dave Meltzer reported that a “series of things” led to Cass being fired. That included blowing off a rehearsal for a promo and then going long on the live version of it, along with an incident where Cass went against what the company wanted and got more offense in than he was supposed to during a beatdown angle on SmackDown with a little person who had pretended to be Bryan.
Bryan also submitted Cass at Backlash in May. That was after the angle with the little person took place, though Cass did lay out Bryan at Backlash following their match.
