Tag: Bodhi Hayward

Former WWE NXT wrestler reportedly cast on ‘Survivor 51’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Brady Booker, a former WWE NXT wrestler who now competes for ROH, has reportedly been cast on the next season of “Survivor.”

Inside Survivor reports that Booker is part of the anticipated cast for “Survivor 51,” which has already filmed in Fiji and is scheduled to premiere this fall. Booker returned for his first post-filming match this Monday at ROH’s TV tapings in Jacksonville.

When he was in NXT, Booker went by the name Bodhi Hayward as one of the original members of Chase U with Andre Chase & Thea Hail. He was released from his NXT contract in 2022.

Booker has featured in ROH dark matches with his trainer Billy Gunn and tag partner Elijah Drago. QT Marshall is another one of Booker’s trainers — and Booker is a former Heavyweight Champion for Marshall’s Georgia-based indie promotion One Fall Wrestling.

If Booker is crowned the winner of “Survivor 51,” he will receive a $1,000,000 grand prize.

Other wrestlers to compete on ‘Survivor’ —

Booker joins Johnny TV (John Morrison) and the late Ashley Massaro as wrestlers who have appeared on the long-running reality show. Iconic “Survivor” villain Johnny Fairplay, a huge wrestling fan, had a brief stint as an on-screen character in TNA in the wake of his reality TV stardom.

The landmark 50th season of “Survivor” wraps up tonight with its finale airing on CBS. One of the final five is Jonathan Young, an aspiring wrestler who is a mentee of Lex Luger.

Daily Update: Saudi Arabia, Glenn Jacobs, Bodhi Hayward

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

October 31, 2022 Observer Newsletter: AEW completes All Out fight investigation, NXT Halloween Havoc

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the front page today. In hindsight, I think it’s kind of a sad issue filled with many what ifs, but highlights include:
  • The update on the situation after 9/4’s All Out PPV with the fight, suspensions, and investigation
  • The Wrestling Inc. story with new claims as to what happened, CM Punk’s thoughts from his side on things that had happened
  • More on why Punk did the interview he did on Adam Page
  • Reactions of others to that story
  • Why late 2023 and early 2024 are so key to AEW
  • How and why this was handled completely different from how UFC would handle a similar situation
  • The lessons of the entire situation
  • Full coverage of NXT Halloween Havoc
  • Comments from Shawn Michaels about the show
  • UFC 280 coverage and early business notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage and updates on the big decision regarding who is the first IWGP women’s champion
  • Ratings for all the major shows including how the main segments did
  • Major womens tournament news
  • Update on Laredo Kid injury situation
  • Next major AAA show
  • First pro wrestling show ever at Ariake Arena
  • Update on Karl Anderson in New Japan situation
  • New Japan TV title tournament thoughts and updates
  • New Japan joint tour next year
  • Former pro wrestling star inducted into sports Hall of Fame
  • Billy Corgan talks ideas for NWA to work with WWE or AEW
  • Legendary pro wrestling arena in danger of being torn down
  • New major project with Bret Hart coming involving Wrestling with Shadows being re-released
  • Tales from the Territory thoughts
  • Shocker gives his side of the story
  • Next few weeks of Impact TV
  • Update on AEW viewing and how many people have watched TV this year, plus actual numbers that watch the show weekly and other shows which is not the Nielsen number
  • New AEW signings
  • Upcoming ticket sales for AEW & WWE events
  • More notes on Chris Jericho’s first three AEW contracts
  • Thunder Rosa update
  • AEW overseas distribution update
  • Dana White talks Jon Jones return
  • Very interesting Conor McGregor note
  • Bellator part of Japan’s New Year’s Eve show
  • Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva notes
  • Lawsuit filed against Jake Paul
  • What types of angles can we expect more of in WWE
  • Early notes on “Black Adam”
  • WWE injury notes
  • How the World Series will effect pro wrestling shows this week
  • WWE talent up for a number of awards
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • New movies with WWE legend
  • Paul Heyman gets international mainstream exposure
  • First WWE talents to hit 100 matches this year

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

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Tuesday News Update

WWE

  • In an update from yesterday’s report about a potential attack from Iran on Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press on Wednesday reported that one of the officals described the situation as a credible threat or attack that could happen “soon or within 48 hours”. No US embassy or consulate in the region has issued guidance to Americans in Saudi Arabia based on current intelligence, and Iran has denied the allegations. WWE is still scheduled to hold their Crown Jewel event on Saturday in Riyadh.
  • This week’s episode of The Bump, featuring Drew McIntyre. A special edition of The Bump will air Saturday at 10 am ET ahead of Crown Jewel. The guests will be Butch, Ridge Holland, Sam Roberts, and Logan Paul.
  • Bodhi Hayward talked to PWMania about his release from WWE Tuesday morning. “My first initial thought was, I was in shock. It was 100% out of the left field. I was upset too. I felt the relationships I had there that were being built were good. I was shocked, and it was a big blow to my confidence. I was thinking Chase U main roster, but I was shocked and hurt. It showed me that there is a lot more to this business that maybe I do have to learn about. In some way shape or form, you are always in control. I look at this as a great opportunity. I feel that I’m made for this. Physically, and mentally. The one thing I always wanted was to cut an in-ring promo. I love being in front of crowds. I never feel more comfortable than being in front of them. That’s what will make me successful in this business. I love the Brodies and they’re loving me back. I want to love everyone for who they are as well.”
  • Karrion Kross spoke to The Sun about his WWE return.
  • Matches taped for Level Up this week include Ivy Nile vs. Sol Ruca, Hank Walker vs. Myles Borne, and Oro Mensah vs. Xyon Quinn.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Trish Stratus vs. Victoria from No Mercy 2002, Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin from the April 29, 2019 edition of Raw, and The Shield vs. Evolution from Extreme Rules 2014.
  • Wes Lee is celebrating a birthday today.

AEW

Other Wrestling

  • Glenn Jacobs on Twitter wrote about all-ages drag shows, writing: “Over the past couple days, my office has been flooded with calls concerning all-ages drag shows. Let me be clear: I don’t care what consenting adults do, but leave kids out of it. As Mayor, I will do everything I can to ensure these events don’t happen on Knox County property.”
  • Jacobs’ tweet caught the attention of, among others, Mike Bennett, who replied: “We took our 4 year old and 2 year old to a LGBTQ Festival here in the town I live in. There was a Drag Show. They had an absolute blast. They now refer to it as the Dragon Festival. My son will dress up w his sister in a Tutu and play with Monster Trucks. Let’s let kids be kids.”
  • On Instagram, El Hijo del Vikingo wrote that he would be out of action for three weeks due to a dislocated left elbow.
  • Katsuyori Shibata is now on Twitter.

Bodhi Hayward comments on WWE NXT release

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bodhi Hayward has commented on his WWE release.

On social media, Hayward identified himself under his real name, Brady Booker. He talked about not being a stranger to adversity, using the hashtag #30days in his tweet.

“I’m hurt, I’m embarrassed, and Brodies, I’m just down bad,” he said. “For the last eighteen months, Andre Chase University and wrestling has been my whole life. But I am no stranger to adversity. Adversity is something that has come up my whole life, and I’ve always found a way to get on top. I will do it again. I’m Brady Booker, and I’m here to stay.”

Hayward was one of five NXT talents that were released on Tuesday morning. Others include Sloane Jacobs, Erica Yan, Damaris Griffin, and Ru Feng.

Introduced as a student of Chase U last year, Hayward usually accompanied Andre Chase to the ring, and was also frequently seen in backstage skits with Chase and Thea Hail, another Chase student. On last week’s NXT, Hayward was not seen in Chase’s class, with the implication that recent ‘transfer student’ Duke Hudson had taken him out.

“I just want to publicly thank @bodhihaywardWWE for his dedication to #ChaseU,” Chase wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “ I will always appreciate him being my first scholarship athlete, but more importantly I will always appreciate his friendship. Keep going!!”

Five wrestlers released from WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Several wrestlers have been released from WWE NXT.

PWInsider reported on Tuesday that Bodhi Hayward, Sloane Jacobs, Erica Yan, Damaris Griffin, and Ru Feng have been released from their WWE contracts. All five of the wrestlers were part of the NXT brand.

Of those released, Hayward (real name Brady Booker) was most prominently featured on NXT television. He was part of Chase U with Andre Chase and Thea Hail. There had recently been a storyline where Duke Hudson was added to Chase U and Hayward had gone missing.

Andre Chase tweeted about Hayward’s release: “I just want to publicly thank @bodhihaywardWWE for his dedication to #ChaseU. I will always appreciate him being my first scholarship athlete, but more importantly I will always appreciate his friendship. Keep going!!”

Jacobs (Amelia Herr) joined the WWE Performance Center this March. At only 19 years old, she was a participant in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament this year.

Yan (Jie Yin) and Feng (Feicheng Wang) were recruits from China who joined the Performance Center in July 2021. They had appeared on NXT Level Up and 205 Live.

Griffin (James Barron Jr.) signed with WWE after taking part in the company’s August 2021 tryouts. He’s also made appearances on NXT Level Up.

Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward announced for NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward has been announced for NXT. 

The match was set up in an angle from last week’s show when the Chase U bus blocked Vinci in the NXT parking lot. 

“After Chase University used their bus to block Vinci in the NXT parking lot and scuffed his pristine ride, Vinci must now teach them a lesson by taking on star pupil Bodhi Hayward,” reads WWE.com. 

The former Fabian Aichner has won three straight on NXT programming since being repackaged as Giovanni Vinci. He has defeated Guru Raaj, Ikemen Jiro, and Apollo Crews so far. 

Chase U’s Bodhi Hayward hasn’t wrestled on NXT since March when he lost a singles match to Von Wagner. He’s won four straight on NXT Level Up since then, however. 

The announced lineup for Tuesday’s edition of NXT is as follows: 

  • Apollo Crews vs. Xyon Quinn
  • Tony D’Angelo’s Family (four of D’Angelo, Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, Joaquin Wilde, and Channing Lorenzo) vs. Diamond Mine (Roderick Strong, Brutus Creed, Julius Creed, & Damon Kemp)
  • Grayson Waller vs. Wes Lee
  • Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward

NXT Level Up results: Bodhi Hayward vs. Dante Chen

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade defeated Quincy Elliott and Damaris Griffin

This wasn’t great. This was Griffin’s debut.

Elliott started the match by using his size to gain a quick advantage that he passed on to Griffin. After the tag, Enofe and Blade took control with a typical tag team strategy.

Griffin eventually landed a spine buster that turned into a bit of offense. Griffin then tagged Elliott, who launched Enofe across the ring with a giant pounce to cement their control.

Elliott missed a sitting drop, allowing for a hot tag into Blade. This launched a chaotic sequence of control trading. Eventually, Blade landed a splash, and Enofe pinned Griffin.

Fallon Henley defeated Thea Hail

This was dreadful.

After an awkward opening takedown exchange, Hail was left in a position of control. Hail’s standing offense looked quite bad, but she eventually took Henley to the mat, working a basic submission. Once Henley escaped, she launched a comeback, brought to an end by a single leg running knee. Henley pinned Hail to bring this match to an end.

Bodhi Hayward defeated Dante Chen

This was a fine little match that played well to both men’s strengths.

It opened with Hayward and Chen trading favorable positions standing and on the mat. Chen was the first to emerge with control after a pair of well-timed neckbreakers.

Chen kept Hayward under his control with a prolonged chin lock. Once Hayward escaped, he launched a comeback filled with powerful moves. Hayward closed the match with a spinebuster pin combination.

NXT Level Up results: Three debuts

Posted on by Chick Fritts

The show opened with a new intro package that showed off NXT’s greatest successes (Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, Big E, etc.). No one on the current NXT brand was included, which seems a little strange.

Javier Bernal defeated Guru Raaj

Bernal opened the match with a prolonged headlock. Bernal held on to this headlock for dear life, maintaining it on the mat and standing. Raaj eventually escaped and gained a foothold with a dropkick following a series of quick pin attempts.

Bernal fought to a standing position after a submission attempt from Raaj. Bernal led a short offensive sequence, punctuated with a double-knee facebreaker (basically a codebreaker). Bernal pinned Raaj, bringing the opening match to an end.

Ivy Nile defeated Thea Hail

This was not good.

Hale came to the ring with a long red cape. I think this was meant to be a reference to her ‘spartan’ heritage.

Nile opened the match with a drop from the fireman’s carry onto the top rope. Nile tossed Hail across the ring and scored multiple strike downs. Nile connected with a shiranui from the top and a German suplex.

Hail launched a very short-lived rally, but after awkwardly rolling around on the mat, Nile locked in an equally as awkward dragon sleeper; the hold forced Hail to submit.

Bodhi Hayward and Andre Chase defeated Channing Lauren and Troy Donovan

This was a fine little match. Lauren and Donovan looked great and were good in their role.

Lauren and Chase opened the match, trading wrist locks. Chase took the lead from the sequence, laying the boots to Lauren before tagging to Bodhi. Donovan tagged in as well, but Bodhi maintained his team’s lead with a wrist lock that he passed over to Chase.

Lauren connected with a sneaky strike while Chase was looking away. Donovan took this opportunity, taking control of the match. Lauren and Donovan then worked to isolate Chase from Bodhi.

Chase scored a hot tag after a long struggle. Bodhi knocked both opponents off their feet in a burst of energy. After a series of slams, Chase tagged back in. Chase and Hayward hit a strange double team move, leading to a pinfall in their favour. 

NXT Level Up results: Dante Chen vs. Bodhi Hayward

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Xyon Quinn defeated Damon Kemp

This was, in fact, a wrestling match that happened.

The match opened with both men testing one another. Eventually, Quinn dropped Kemp by blocking a crossbody attempt. This lead was short-lived as Kemp wrestled a now bloody Quinn to the mat.

Quinn finally fought to his feet, laning a handful of strikes before a swinging Samoan drop and superman forearm left him with the win.

Lash Legend defeated Valentina Feroz

This was bad. There were some cute ideas, but the execution was just off at nearly every turn.

Legend used her significant size advantage to push around Feroz after the opening bell. Feroz tried to check Legend’s size with leg kicks and cruiserweight offence. Instead, Legend shrugged off Feroz, throwing her to the ground before a prolonged stalling suplex left Legend with a strong lead.

Feroz eventually snuck in a choke. Legend survived by slamming Feroz into the corner and throwing her to the mat. Legend tried for a chokeslam, but Feroz connected with a quick sequence of dropkicks to maintain her lead. Hoping to finish the match, Feroz tried for a dive; Legend caught Feroz, but Feroz managed to transition into a leg based choke. But Legend escaped by trying to bounce Feroz against the top and middle rope. Once Legend escaped, she hit Feroz with a boot to close this one.

After the match, Legend cut a promo. She said she was Lash Legend, emphasis on Legend (her emphasis, not mine). She then called out Nikita Lyons, who she’s been feuding with on NXT.

Dante Chen defeated Bodhi Hayward

This was a nothing match—not bad; not good.

The match opened with some back and forth wrestling. Chen brought the early standstill to an end with a pair of arm drags. Chen’s lead came to an end after Bodhi connected with a sudden takedown.

Robert Stone came from the back. This distraction allowed Chen to steal control for a moment, but after a failed suplex attempt, Bodhi retook the advantage. Meanwhile, Andre Chase and Stone argued on the outside. Bodhi was distracted by this again, allowing Chen to grab a quick pin. Bodhi was caught so off guard he did not kick out.