Tag: blake christian

Minoru Suzuki vs. Blake Christian announced for GCW Paranoid

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Minoru Suzuki will face Blake Christian when he returns to the United States next month.

GCW announced today that Suzuki will face Christian at GCW’s Paranoid event on April 9, which takes place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Last month GCW announced that Suzuki would be coming in for five dates. Other matches Suzuki is scheduled to have in GCW include Chris Dickinson at Bloodsport 8 in Dallas on March 31, Effy on April 2 at Joey Janela’s Spring Break part 2 also in Dallas, Speedball Mike Bailey on April 10 in San Francisco, and Too Cold Scorpio on April 23 in Detroit.

Suzuki is also scheduled to be at the WrestleCon SuperShow on March 31, where he’s set to face Biff Busick, and NJPW’s Lonestar Shootout event on April 1, both in Dallas.

Other matches announced for Paranoid include Effy & Allie Katch vs. The Briscoes and AJ Gray vs. ‘Swerve’ Strickland.

AEW Dark Universal Studios taping spoilers: Blake Christian debuts

Posted on by JJ Williams

The following are results from AEW’s Dark taping from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday.

  • The Young Bucks & Brandon Cutler defeated Evil Uno, Alan Angels, & Colt Cabana of the Dark Order
  • Ruby Soho defeated Ashley D’Amboise
  • Josh Woods defeated AC Adams. In a post-match interview with Tony Schiavone where Tony mentioned that Josh is the current Ring Of Honor Pure Champion, the crowd chanted for “ROH.”
  • Ricky Starks defeated Darian Bengston
  • John Silver & Alex Reynolds (w/-1) of the Dark Order defeated Luther & Serpentico
  • Leyla Hirsch defeated Marina Tucker
  • Top Flight defeated Ariya Daivari and Invictus Kash. In a post-match interview, Tony Schiavone congratulated Darius Martin on his return from injury and their great showing in the battle royale this past week on Dynamite. 
  • Preston Vance (w/-1) of the Dark Order defeated Aaron Solo (w/QT Marshall)
  • Emi Sakura defeated Shallonce Royal
  • Daniel Garcia & 2pointO defeated Shane Stetson, Mike Reed, & Luke Samson
  • Frankie Kazarian defeated Jora Johl
  • Diamante defeated Session Moth Martina
  • Lance Archer defeated two enhancement talents
  • Jay Lethal defeated JD Drake (w/Peter Avalon, Ryan Nemeth, & Cezar Bononi of the Wingmen)
  • The Butcher & The Blade defeated Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo
  • Kris Statlander (w/Trent Beretta) defeated Sahara Se7en
  • Anthony Ogogo defeated Ray Jaz
  • Nyla Rose (w/Vickie Guerrero) defeated Kacy Lennox
  • Blake Christian defeated Rohit Raju
  • The Acclaimed defeated Liam Grey & Adrian Alanis
  • AQA defeated Valentina Rossi
  • Tony Nese defeated Karam
  • Abadon defeated Angelica Risk
  • The Gunn Club defeated The Brick City Boys
  • Mercedes Martinez defeated Jemma Jewel
  • The Varsity Blondes (w/Julia Hart) defeated Vincita and Chun
  • Marina Shafir defeated Layla Grey
  • Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Fuego del Sol
  • Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, & Wheeler Yuta (w/Trent Beretta & Kris Statlander) defeated Ryan Nemeth, Cezar Bononi, & Peter Avalon (w/JD Drake)

Blake Christian vs. Laredo Kid vs. Ace Austin set for Impact Wrestling

Posted on by Josh Nason

Blake Christian vs. Laredo Kid vs. Ace Austin — a three-way with implications for the X-Division title picture — has been announced for Thursday’s Impact Wrestling.

Austin is a former X-Division titleholder, Kid has challenged for the title previously and Christian is looking for his first shot at the gold.

While no X-Division title match has been announced for Saturday’s No Surrender show, it’s possible the winner could get a shot at champion Trey Miguel this weekend.

The other newly announced bout will be on the BTI pre-show as former Impact World Champion Eddie Edwards will take on Big Kon, the former Konnor of The Ascension. 

Kon lost quickly in his Impact debut against Josh Alexander last week while Edwards is preparing for his Team Impact vs. Honor No More ten-man tag team match on Saturday.

Here’s the full lineup for Thursday’s No Surrender go-home show:

  • Gisele Shaw vs. Lady Frost
  • Mickie James and Chelsea Green vs. Tasha Steelz and Savannah Evans
  • Kenny King vs. Chris Sabin
  • Bullet Club (Jay White and G.O.D.) vs. Violent By Design (Eric Young, Doering and Deaner)
  • Blake Christian vs. Laredo Kid vs. Ace Austin
  • BTI pre-show: Big Kon vs. Eddie Edwards

PWG announces two replacements for Battle of Los Angeles

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two replacements have been announced prior to Saturday’s PWG Battle of Los Angeles tournament.

The company announced tonight that both Jonathan Gresham and Davey Richards are out. Wheeler Yuta and Blake Christian have taken their place, and will face each other in the first round.

Gresham had tweeted earlier Friday that he would be unable to compete in the tournament due to COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, I will not be making it to LA tomorrow for BOLA. I recently caught covid, and as a result, I had to miss GCW at the Hammerstein Ballroom,” Gresham wrote. “I am still testing positive as of today and don’t want to put any colleagues/fans in harms way.”

Other first round matches that will take place on Saturday include Bandido vs. Speedball Mike Bailey, JONAH vs. Buddy Matthews, JD Drake vs. Black Taurus, Lee Moriarty vs. Alex Shelley, Jack Cartwheel vs. Lio Rush, Kevin Blackwood vs. Daniel Garcia, and Aramis vs. Rey Horus.

Ian Riccaboni to call ROH title match at The Wrld on GCW

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ian Riccaboni will commentate the ROH World Championship match next month at GCW’s debut in the Hammerstein Ballroom.

GCW announced tonight that Riccaboni will call Jonathan Gresham defending the ROH World Championship against Blake Christian at GCW’s The Wrld on GCW on January 23. Riccaboni has been the lead commentator of Ring of Honor in recent years. Ring of Honor is currently going under hiatus through April of next year after holding Final Battle on December 11. 

The company released a video on Monday that had Christian saying that this was not about the ROH title, it’s about being accepted as one of the best in the world. And when he wins the championship from Gresham, everyone will have no choice but to accept him as among the best in the world.

Riccaboni is also set to be at NJPW New Beginning USA on January 15, where he will call the action as Kevin Kelly will be in Japan.

ROH title match announced for GCW Hammerstein Ballroom show

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The ROH World Championship will be defended at The Wrld on GCW.

In a video released by GCW tonight, it was confirmed that Blake Christian will challenge Jonathan Gresham for the ROH World Championship at GCW’s first event at the Hammerstein Ballroom on January 23rd. It’s the first match to be announced for the show.

The video had Christian saying that this was not about the ROH title, it’s about being accepted as one of the best in the world. And when he wins the championship from Gresham, everyone will have no choice but to accept him as among the best in the world.

Gresham won the championship at ROH’s Final Battle event on December 11. With the company taking a hiatus until at least April, Gresham has defended the championship in independent promotions under ROH Pure title rules. His first title defense was at GCW Blood on the Hills on December 17th, where he successfully retained against AJ Gray.

Blake Christian returning to GCW in December

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Blake Christian is returning to GCW. The former Trey Baxter’s release from WWE was just announced, but Christian will not be out of work for long. 

GCW has announced Christian for their So Alive event in Dallas, Texas on December 4, plus their December 17 Blood on the Hills show in Los Angeles, California. 

Christian tweeted: “See you in exactly 30 days #AllHeart” a reference to his WWE non-compete apparently expiring in 30 days.

Christian previously appeared for GCW throughout 2019, 2020 and the early part of 2021. He left the promotion after losing a GCW World title vs. career match to Ricky Shane Page on January 30.

Christian had a WWE tryout in October 2020 and his signing was announced in February 2021. His in-ring debut came on the NXT brand in June 2021, where he challenged KUSHIDA for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in a losing effort. 

Christian made the semifinals of the NXT Breakout Tournament, losing to Odyssey Jones in August 2021. He continued to appear on NXT and the 205 Live brand throughout August, September and October. His final WWE appearance came in a loss to Grayson Waller on the October 8 205 Live episode. 

Blake Christian makes WWE NXT debut

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Blake Christian, going under the name Trey Baxter, made his NXT debut tonight.

Baxter accepted the open challenge that Kushida held on tonight’s NXT for the Cruiserweight title. Although he put on a competitive back and forth contest, Kushida retained the title after submitting Baxter with the kimura. The two shook hands after the match.

Christian signed with WWE earlier this year. Right before signing with WWE, he had been wrestling regularly for New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of their NJPW Strong roster. He had competed in a qualifying match for this year’s 2021 New Japan Cup but lost to Chris Dickinson. He had also started to appear for Impact Wrestling, losing a triple threat revolver match that Josh Alexander ultimately won back at Impact’s No Surrender event in February.

Prior to signing with WWE, Baxter also competed in various independent promotions such as Game Changer Wrestling, Black Label Pro, and Warrior Wrestling.

WWE signs Blake Christian to developmental deal

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Blake Christian has signed with WWE.

Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Christian has signed with WWE. Fightful Select were the first to report that he had signed.

Christian had his final match with GCW on January 31, losing a match to Rickey Shane Page where he would leave GCW if he lost. He also appears on tonight’s Impact No Surrender event, competing in a triple threat revolver match where the winner will become the next challenger for the X-Division championship.

He had also made appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling in the last year, competing on NJPW Strong in the United States. Representing GCW, he competed in the 2020 Super J Cup but lost to the eventual winner of the tournament, El Phantasmo, in the semi-finals.

It was also confirmed yesterday that WWE had signed Christian Casanova to a developmental deal. University of Central Florida offensive lineman Parker Bordeaux has also signed with the company in the last month.

Eight-man tag match announced for Impact Wrestling

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An eight-man tag match is set for Impact Wrestling’s No Surrender go-home show.

Impact Wrestling has announced that Trey Miguel, Josh Alexander, Willie Mack & Suicide vs. Chris Bey, Ace Austin, Blake Christian & Daivari will take place on Tuesday’s episode of Impact. The match involves the eight participants who will be taking part in the first-ever “Triple Threat Revolver match” at No Surrender.

Impact noted that the Triple Threat Revolver match “will be a revolving series of Triple Threat matches – three men begin, when somebody is pinned or submitted another man enters. When we get down to the final three, whoever scores the fall is the winner.” The winner will become the number one contender to the X-Division Championship.

TJP currently holds the X-Division Championship and is defending the title against Rohit Raju at No Surrender. No Surrender will air on Impact Plus on Saturday, February 13.

Here’s the updated lineup for Tuesday’s Impact:

  • Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) defend against Chris Sabin & James Storm
  • Contract signing for Rich Swann and Tommy Dreamer’s Impact World Championship match at No Surrender
  • ODB vs. Kimber Lee
  • Kiera Hogan vs. Nevaeh
  • Trey Miguel, Josh Alexander, Willie Mack & Suicide vs. Chris Bey, Ace Austin, Blake Christian & Daivari
  • Cousin Jake gives an answer to Eric Young’s invitation to join Violent By Design

NJPW holding one-night Super J-Cup in US, participants set

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Super J-Cup 2020 tournament will make its return next month.

During the announcement of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors 27 participants, the company also announced that they will be holding a Super J-Cup tournament next month in the United States. Eight wrestlers will compete in a single elimination tournament, with the winner being crowned this year’s J-Cup winner.

Like with previous J-Cup tournaments, some wrestlers will represent different promotions across the United States. Impact, ROH, and Game Changer Wrestling will all have representatives. 

Notable talent included in this year’s tournament include ACH, who will make his tournament debut, and Lio Rush, who will make his debut for UWN Primetime Live this Tuesday. Chris Bey, representing Impact, will also participate, while Rey Horus will represent ROH.

The participants for this year’s tournament include:

  • TJP
  • ACH
  • Lio Rush
  • Chris Bey (Impact)
  • Rey Horus (ROH)
  • Blake Christian (Game Changer Wrestling)
  • Clark Connors (LA Dojo)
  • El Phantasmo (Bullet Club)

In last year’s tournament, El Phantasmo defeated Dragon Lee in the finals.

The show, which will take place on one night, will air live on December 12 on New Japan World.