A video highlighting Scott aired on NXT last week. He pointed out that he’s the only person to defeat Santos Escobar in WWE and said he’ll win the NXT Cruiserweight Championship from Escobar the next time they face off.
This will be the first time Imperium have wrestled since retaining their titles against Breezango on the June 17 episode of NXT. Indus Sher came out to ringside during that match, then Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch appeared and brawled with them as Imperium vs. Breezango was going on.
Tonight’s NXT will also feature Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher vs. Dexter Lumis to determine the next participant to qualify for the ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Championship at TakeOver XXX. NXT Champion Keith Lee will respond to Karrion Kross tonight, Johnny Gargano will face Roderick Strong, and new Robert Stone Brand member Mercedes Martinez will take on Shotzi Blackheart.
Oney Lorcan (w/ Danny Burch) defeated Chase Parker (w/ Matt Martel)
The 205 Live opening matchup kicked off with a collar-and-elbow tie-up that resulted in an extended chain wrestling exchange. Early in the exchange, Chase Parker gained control but he was quick to be bested by Oney Lorcan’s technical prowess. Parker fought for an escape only to be laid on his back with a shoulder tackle as soon as Lorcan granted him separation. Lorcan looked on as Parker began his recovery, only for Parker to land a cheap blow following a teased test of strength.
Lorcan retaliated by driving Parker’s head into the turnbuckle. Lorcan drove the head of Parker into said buckle two times, but during his attempted third, Parker grew wise and returned the favor. Lorcan thwarted any offensive hopes Parker might have had with two echoing knife-edge chops.
Parker rolled to the outside in an attempt to recover. Lorcan tried to catch him, but was met with a verbal taunting from Matt Martel who accompanied Parker to the ring. Lorcan took the bait as he engaged in the banter; to no one’s surprise, Lorcan was then on the receiving end of a rope-assisted arm drag. Parker jumped from the apron to deliver an elbow to the back of a recovering Lorcan. Lorcan kicked out of the pin attempt that followed prior to the referee’s count of one, he sold his arm following the kick out.
Lorcan began a slow crawl away from Parker, but was followed. Lorcan would then have his arm stretched against the middle rope by his opponent. Parker drug Lorcan to his feet and sent him into the ropes. Parker partially connected with a dropkick and tried for a pin that was answered by Lorcan. Parker continued his assault to the arm of Lorcan on the ground. Parker contorted the arm with a hammerlock.
Lorcan slowly fought to his feet and drove Parker into the corner with his shoulder. Lorcan then used an atomic drop. Parker tried for a hook, Lorcan ducked and lifted Parker high for a second atomic drop. Lorcan continued to clutch at his arm with a furious agony. Parker then subverted a move by Lorcan only to be hit with a third atomic drop and an uppercut. Lorcan then teased for and connected with a running somersault neck breaker that resulted in the pinfall victory.
Malcolm Bivens traveled down the ramp following the match’s end. As he stood in front of the ring he drew the attention of Lorcan and Danny Burch. Ever-Rise attacked the team as Bivens looked on. The Indus Sher then entered the ring and brutalized Lorcan and Burch.
This match was minimalist in all the best ways. It was consistent and didn’t overstay its welcome. The selling was convincing, the acts were logical, and the right guy went over. The angle that ended the match was a fine way to draw continued intrigue to NXT and hopefully some in the direction of 205 Live.
Jake Atlas defeated Jack Gallagher
205 Live’s main event had an inauspicious feeling even prior to the opening bell. As Jake Atlas was to make his 205 Live debut, Jack Gallagher, while he surely didn’t know it at the time, was to make his perhaps unwilling farewell. To say the release of Gallagher and the events surrounding it did not weigh on the mind as this match unfolded would be a lie.
Gallagher and Atlas had an intense staredown prior to the bell. The referee separated the competitors and signaled for the match to start. The match itself started with a collar-and-elbow tie-up that saw Atlas take control of Gallagher’s arm. Gallagher was tossed to the mat but maintained his composure. From the mat, Gallagher took the ankle of Atlas. Instead of taking full advantage, Gallagher kicked Atlas in the gut and broke the hold in the process. Atlas was given space temporarily, but was put in a headlock as soon as he rose to his feet.
Atlas pushed into the ropes and broke the headlock. Atlas then ran at Gallagher, but Gallagher subverted his speed with a rollup attempt that was escaped. Atlas then tried to kick the head clean off of Gallagher’s shoulders, but Gallagher ducked from the line of fire. Atlas looked to go for a standing moonsault, but landed on his feet instead. Gallagher was then further taunted by a cartwheel and a bow. Gallagher did not take kindly to this teasing; he slapped Gallagher across the face in response. Gallagher then began to unload strikes on Atlas.
Atlas was able to escape the strikes via an Arabian arm drag. Atlas then mostly completed a brief lucha style sequence. In what seemed to be the sequence’s punctuation, Atlas tried to lift Gallagher for a slam or suplex but failed. Gallagher instead lifted Atlas himself and dropped his torso into the ropes. Gallagher kicked Atlas on the ground. As Atlas rose, Gallagher gained momentary wrist control which he used to deliver more strikes. Atlas crumbled to the ground.
Following Atlas’s kicking. Gallagher stretched Atlas against his knee before and followed with a dropkick to the back of the head which resulted in another failed pin attempt. Gallagher returned to his strikes. Atlas responded with a knife-edge chop of his own that left Gallagher temporarily agape. Atlas then let loose with chops that echoed across the WWE Performance Center.
Two strong kicks from Atlas seemed to indicate the beginning of the end for Gallagher as Atlas looked for something big. Gallagher wasted no time as he jumped from a seated position into a headbutt to Atlas’s midsection. Atlas fell down once more. While on his back, Atlas was met with ruthless ground and pound. Gallagher then transitioned into an armbar attempt that was met with balk. Atlas then rolled Gallagher up but Gallagher kicked from the surprise pin attempt. Gallagher stood up where he called out to the crowd. The crowd showered Gallagher with boos.
Atlas began to strike Gallagher from the ground. As he rose he maintained a state of struggle which added to his striking authenticity. Gallagher was sent into the ropes by Atlas. Gallagher would not receive any offense from this but instead would secure an abdominal stretch. Atlas powered out of the stretch and connected with multiple forearms with a flip intermixed. Atlas tried for a pin but Gallagher kicked out. Atlas was then once again caught off guard with a standing guillotine. Atlas rolled into the ropes to cause the break. Gallagher unloaded with strikes on the limp Atlas, who was positioned on the apron. The referee forced Gallagher to pull back, allowing Atlas to connect with a suplex. Atlas then climbed to the top rope and connected with a top rope cartwheel DDT. Atlas pinned Gallagher, who did not kick out.
This match was good but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Gallagher’s striking and mat work was fantastic as always and Atlas had smooth execution throughout. With that being said there are really only a couple things one can really say in response to this match in the current context; Atlas’s successes are inspiring and hopefully, never again will there be a professional wrestling match held under the same circumstance – taped or otherwise.
“After a heartbreaking defeat in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament that resulted in Atlas falling just one win short of competing for the then-vacant title, the young upstart is looking to rebound with what would be his first victory on the purple brand. Despite the recent loss, Atlas turned heads in the tourney, showing a unique blend of athleticism and toughness,” WWE.com wrote.
Atlas went 2-1 in group matches during the Cruiserweight title tournament, defeating Drake Maverick and Tony Nese but losing to Kushida. Maverick advanced from the group after winning a tiebreaker triple threat match but lost to Santos Escobar in the finals.
Oney Lorcan vs. Chase Parker will also air on 205 Live tonight. Lorcan & Danny Burch defeated Ever-Rise (Parker & Martel) on the May 22 episode of 205 Live. On last week’s show, Ever-Rise defeated Leon Ruff & Adrian Alanis.
With a three-way tie in Group A, a triple threat match on next week’s NXT will decide who advances to the interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament finals.
WWE has announced that Kushida, Drake Maverick, and Jake Atlas will face off in a triple threat match on NXT next Wednesday. The winner will advance to face El Hijo del Fantasma in the finals of the tournament.
Maverick defeated Kushida in their Group A match on tonight’s NXT. Kushida focused on Maverick’s arm throughout, but the finish was him going for an armbar and Maverick reversing it into a pin. Atlas watched the match from ringside and rooted for Maverick.
If Kushida won, he would have advanced to the finals. With Maverick winning, Kushida, Maverick, and Atlas all have 2-1 records. Kushida’s wins were against Atlas and Tony Nese, Maverick’s wins were against Kushida and Nese, and Atlas’ wins were against Maverick and Nese.
Maverick’s story for the tournament has focused on him trying to save his job after being released from WWE.
El Hijo del Fantasma defeated Akira Tozawa on NXT tonight to advance to the tournament finals from Group B. WWE hasn’t announced when the finals will be taking place.
Jordan Devlin is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion but is currently unable to travel and defend his title due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher will also face off in a cage fight on next week’s NXT.
Three interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament matches are taking place on NXT next Wednesday.
WWE has announced that Kushida vs. Tony Nese, Drake Maverick vs. Jake Atlas, and El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Jack Gallagher are set for next week’s episode of NXT. Kushida vs. Nese and Maverick vs. Atlas are Group A tournament matches, while Fantasma vs. Gallagher is a Group B match.
This will be the first time Fantasma has wrestled on NXT television. A video hyping his debut aired tonight.
The tournament kicked off with Akira Tozawa defeating Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in a Group B match on tonight’s NXT.
Everyone in the tournament will face the other wrestlers in their group one time. The wrestler with the best record in Group A will then face the wrestler with the best record in Group B in the finals.
Any ties will be broken by head-to-head record.
Jordan Devlin is the NXT Cruiserweight Champion but is currently unable to travel and defend his title due to the coronavirus pandemic.
From Citrus Springs in front of an estimated 300 / Image: JJ Williams
Kayden Carter def. Deonna Purrazzo with a twisting leg lock submission
Denzel def. Aleksandar with a bridging suplex pin
Mercedes Martinez, Catalina Garcia and Rita Reis def. Vanessa Borne, Jessi Kamea and Indi Hartwell
This was the Florida Loop debut for Martinez who received a great reaction. She took the hot tag and ran through everybody with suplexes until she got the pin on Hartwell.
Brendan Vink def. Mohammed
Vink took the mic pre-match and was being booed out of the building.
We had an in-ring segment with Rocky where he said things are going to be different from now on. He asked for some music and proceeded to rap which was actually great with a strong delivery. By the end, everyone was into it.
Ridge Holland def. Jake Atlas
Atlas made his NXT debut, but was no match for the power of Holland.
Bronson Reed def. Dorian Mak
Reed won after a top rope splash. The crowd was into this fight.
Mike Kanellis and Tony Nese def. Shane Thorne and Daniel Vidot
Kanellis and Nese won after a flying knee/powerslam combo.
Reina Gonzalez def. Santana Garrett
Gonzales won after a black hole slam.
Pete Dunne submitted Damian Priest
In front of one of the best main event crowds in recent Florida Loop history, these two worked hard, left the ring to rile up the kids at ringside, and kicked it up a level with late near falls. Dunne kicked out of Priest’s sidewalk chokeslam before a striking exchange. Dunne countered a big move into a joint manipulation armbar for the submission to finish off a great show.
While announcing their newest Performance Center signees, WWE has confirmed the addition of two independent wrestling standouts.
Mercedes Martinez and Jake Atlas have officially signed with WWE. Martinez joins the company after appearing in the Mae Young Classic in both 2017 and 2018. She made it to the semifinals in the first tournament before losing to Shayna Baszler. In 2018, she lost to Meiko Satomura in the second round.
Martinez tweeted today: “See that SMILE??!!! who says dreams cant become a reality?!! I worked for this moment for 19yrs!! I’m where I’m SUPPOSED to be at this moment in time. Sacrifice, determination, hardwork, motivation, & staying humble got me here. THANK YOU @WWEUniverse @WWENXT”
Martinez was the 21st entrant in the Casino Battle Royale at AEW All Out in August and also wrestled one match on AEW Dark that was taped in October.
Atlas broke out on the Southern California indie scene. Last year, he made it to the quarterfinals of PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles. He defeated Jungle Boy in the first round and then lost to Dragon Lee in the second.
Atlas wrote about signing with WWE: “First in my family to turn a dream into reality. ‘Superstar’ wasn’t just a moniker, it was a vision I set for myself. Proud of who I am & where it lead me because I’m right where I belong. @WWENXT – Let’s change the world. #WeAreNXT”
Atlas appeared on the WWE-themed “Celebrity Undercover Boss” episode that aired in 2018 and said that his goal is to become the first openly gay WWE World Champion.
“Titan Games” competitor Emily Andzulis, former NFL defensive lineman Anthony Francis, acrobat Sidney Bateman, and former college basketball player Zechariah Smith were also announced as signing with WWE:
Emily Andzulis of Powell, Tenn., brings a diverse athletic background with her to Orlando. The 27-year-old is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and trains in Taekwondo. She competed on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s “Titan Games,” and was crowned the first female Titan.
Anthony Francis is a 6-foot-5, 330-pounder with five years of NFL experience under his belt. The former defensive tackle played for the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins.
Sidney Bateman is a 27-year-old acrobat from St. Louis, Mo. Bateman was a cast member for Cirque du Soleil’s “LUZIA” show, where he specialized in hoop diving.
Zechariah Smith towers over the new recruits at 7 feet tall and 310 pounds. The Oklahoma native played college basketball for Morgan State University before going pro internationally. He also played for the longtime rivals of the Harlem Globetrotters, the Washington Generals.
We’re looking for reports from tonight’s WWE Raw show in Rochester, NY and NXT show in Kelowna, BC to [email protected]
We’re also looking for your thoughts on Impact Bound for Glory, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
IMPACT BOUND FOR GLORY TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. IN VILLA PARK, IL AT THE ODEUM
Call Your Shot Gauntlet (Rumble style) match with Eddie Edward, Mahabali Shera, Rosemary, Johnny Swinger, Jessicka Havok, Jordynne Grace, Kiera Hogan, Cousin Jake Deaner, Cody Deaner, Raj Singh, Adam Thornstowe, Luster the Legend and many others
Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier & Trey Miguel vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Aerostar & Black Taurus
Naomichi Marufuji vs. Michael Elgin
Ken Shamrock vs. Moose
Josh Alexander & Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. Rob Van Dam & Rhino for the tag titles
Taya vs. Tenille Dashwood for the Knockouts title
Jake Crist vs. Tessa Blanchard vs. Daga vs. Sabu vs. Ace Romero in a ladder match for the X title
Brian Cage vs. Sami Callihan for the Impact title
NEW JAPAN JUNIOR TAG TOURNAMENT MONDAY IN AKITO ON NEW JAPAN WORLD (taped)
Sho & Yoh vs. TJP & Clark Connors
Raw will be live on Monday from Cleveland. A.J. Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Street Profits & ? will be on the show, plus Ric Flair, Rey Mysterio and Cain Velasquez, plus Sin Cara vs. Andrade.
The Smackdown crew runs Monday in Sydney, Australia and Tuesday in Brisbane, Australia.
NEW JAPAN JUNIOR TAG TOURNAMENT TUESDAY IN IWATE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD (taped)
Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
F4W NEWSLETTER: WWE’s draft missed opportunity Joseph Currier looks at how the draft failed to establish a unique identity for SmackDown on FOX.
With a chance to establish a unique identity on FOX, this year’s draft was a missed opportunity for WWE.
The draft was an early indication of what WWE will look like on FOX. Following up on a loaded premiere episode, it gave SmackDown an opportunity to define itself as a FOX property. WWE had the full weight of the network behind them, complete with pre-taped appearances by FOX’s biggest sports personalities. But instead of leaning in to that identity, WWE gave mixed messages.
Ever since WWE struck their deal with FOX, there’s been some question about how SmackDown would fit into the network’s portfolio. It’s categorized as part of FOX Sports, with WWE Backstage even airing weekly on FS1. SmackDown gives FOX the benefit of having live programming on Fridays for 52 weeks out of the year, but it’s really more of a hybrid between sports and a weekly television show. WWE is never going to be — and shouldn’t be — a promotion that presents itself as a pure sport. The beauty of pro wrestling is that you can create the over-the-top spectacle that sports can only wish to achieve. With appearances by Cain Velasquez and Tyson Fury on the FOX premiere, it seemed like WWE was going to be taking SmackDown in that direction.
In a huge week of news,we’ve got all the details in the new issue. Our lead story looks at the firing of Eric Bischoff. We look at his hiring, why it was largely not expected to work out by those who had worked with him in recent years and why people from the past rarely work when brought back into wrestling.
This week’s Observer also covers:
Bruce Prichard and the problems with both Raw and Smackdown.
WWE draft, why the moves were made, how the draft shows were put together and have a depth chart of where all the talent looks to be positioned, who got broken up and who haven’t had a brand chosen for them yet.
Signing of Tyson Fury and Cain Velasquez by WWE. We look at WWE’s place in Riyadh season, the kind of money being thrown around, why Anthony Joshua is facing heat while WWE really isn’t, the set up for Velasquez vs. Lesnar and questions about Velasquez and his WWE career going forward, the background of how Fury and Velasquez got to WWE, the challenges Velasquez faces in WWE and the Crown Jewel show.
WWE’s plans for NXT Japan, what major star has been signed and others who have been talked with, DVR viewership of Smackdown, updated WWE PPV numbers, Hulu numbers, Mike Bennett on why he wants to leave, Maria Kanellis responds. Hardy family drama, WWE gets award nominations, Injury updates, Evolve shows, most-watched shows on the WWE Network, plus a look at every arena event from WWE & NXT over the past week.
Coverage of King of Pro Wrestling with the background, the destination, the Tokyo Dome plans, Power Struggle, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Extensive coverage of Bushiroad’s purchase of Stardom, how this happened, why Rossy Ogawa sold to Bushiroad and not WWE, what WWE was offering, Stardom’s new TV deal, why this doesn’t mean New Japan and Stardom are affiliated, Stardom coming to the U.S. in December and political implications of all this, as well a plans for the biggest Stardom show ever.
UFC in Tampa this past week with Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson and Jedrzejczyk’s quest for the strawweight title.
Full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight and we have a ton of stuff to talk about, including UFC and Smackdown on Friday, Wednesday ratings, Jake Atlas, Marko Stunt, Heroes Inmoratles, Bound for Glory, Conor McGregor and more.
Joel Jones (Outlaw Joel Deaton) suffered a massive stroke on Friday and is currently in the Emory University Hospital in ICU. He was awake and talking, and can move his affected side. His prognosis is excellent but does have a long road ahead of him. His sister relayed the news on Facebook.
There are no dates finalized for Kenny Omega to return to Mexico and defend his AAA title, but the company’s last major show of the year will be on 12/14.
For the weekend, the only combat sports stuff that made Google trends were UFC stuff on Friday, with the show itself doing 200,000 searches, which is high for an ESPN 2 show, and Greg Hardy did 100,000 searches. Nothing from Smackdown or boxing made the list.
Dwayne Johnson noted that production will begin in July for him to play Black Adam based on the DC Comic character. Johnson, on Twitter, noted that he’s been wanting to do this for ten years.
Ken Marquez (Jake Atlas), who came out of Battle of Los Angeles as the basic first choice in the draft after his incredible matches with Jungle Boy and Dragon Lee, has informed promoters he’s not taking any dates after the end of the year. He reports to WWE in January. He had turned down Impact and ROH and we don’t know if AEW made an offer, but it was known WWE was his choice. Hopefully it works out for him because he’s more talented than all but a few people on WWE’s main roster, but his style is so unlike WWE that it’s a risk. But he’s a guaranteed instant hit in NXT. Marquez was on the TV show Undercover Boss with Stephanie McMahon a few years back.
WWE
Jinder Mahal appeared at a political rally for NDL leader Jagmeet Singh for Monday’s Prime Minister election. (thanks to Kevin Rusan)
Canyon Ceman of WWE was at the PWA Colosseum shows in Australia scouting talent.
Oddsmakers at Kambi are not expecting a blockbuster Crown Jewel show. Here are the over/under numbers you can set on:
Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury *1/2
Mansoor vs. Cesaro **1/2
Tag Team turmoil **3/4
Team Hogan vs. Team Flair **1/2
Seth Rollins vs,. Bray Wyatt **1/2
Brock Lesnar vs.Cain Velasquez **1/2
Northeast Wrestling from last night in Bethany,CT: Buddy Costa b Bret Gosselin, Cody Vance b DL Hurst, JT Dunn d Chuck O’Neil (MMA fighter), Wrecking Ball Legursky b Sledge, Keith Youngblood b Christian Casanova, Hale Collins b Chris Battle, Mike Gamble & Dexter Loux & Mike Verna b The ICW, RJ Rude & Zane Benardo b Ron Zombie & Jimmy Preston, Darby Allin b Brian Anthony (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
There are tickets available at Eventbrite for the Rick Titan (Rick Bogner) Memorial Celebration of Life which takes place on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Calgary. We were told there were 17 tickets left. Rick Titan was a big star as Big Tytan in FMW, and also wrestled in New Japan, WAR and ECW, and was the fake Razor Ramon in WWF. He started his career in Calgary with Lance Storm & Chris Jericho among others.
Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 12/27 in Oshawa, ONT with the Eclipse Cup tournament.
Great North Wrestling from last night in Rockland,ONT before 350 fans: Davey Boy Smith Jr. b Nathan Banner to win the Hannibal TV title, Blood Hunter b Haku, Jessicka Black b Lady Yasmine, Jeremy Prophet b Wes Brisco for the Canadian title, Savio Vega b Paul Rosenburg, Bruiser b Mathis Myre in a tables mach, Harley Davidson & Colin Oliver b Steve McDaniel & :, Marc Burell b David Juno in a kickboxing match. They announced for a show next year that Haku & Barbarian would face Hannibal & Savio Vega after Vega attacked Haku and cost him his match on the show. (thanks to Anthony Ambros)
Stardom from earlier today in Okayama: Session Moth Martina won three-way over Saya Kamitani and Saya Iida, Hana Kimura & Death Yama-san b Andras Miyagi & Natsuko Tora, Bea Priestley & Jamie Hayter b Riho & Starlight Kid in the tag tournament, Tam Nakano & Arisa Hoshiki b Zoe Lucas & Bobbi Tyler in the tournament, Jungle Kyona & Konami b Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima in the tournament, Kagetsu & Hazuki & Natsu Sumire b Momo Watanabe & AZM & Leo Onozaki (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
All Star Wrestling November to Remember on 11/2 in Tzeachten Hall in Chilliwack, BC.
Canadian Wrestling Elite’s 50 man Rumble to Remember is 11/29 in Winnipeg. The winner will get a title match on the company’s 11th anniversary show on 5/22.
Defy from last night in Seattle. Report was the show was fine but not at the normal Defy levels: Douglas James b Jet Knight, Rebel Kel b Kikyo, Jacob Fatu b Amazing Red (very good), Randy Myers b Drexel, Cima & Cody Chunn & Guillermo Rosas b Matt Sydal & Cook Brothers, Josef Samael b Mike Santiago in a street fight (said to be terrible), Schaff b Tom Lawlor to retain the 8xGP title. Alexander Hammerstone attacked Schaff after the match (thanks to Scott Janicek)
According to SCU’s sources, Atlas will report to the WWE Performance Center in January and has been telling indie promoters he’s no longer available after December. The California native continued to turn heads at this year’s PWG Battle of Los Angeles where talent scouts from WWE and AEW were present.
The 24-year-old recently worked for Ring of Honor and has turned down offers from both Impact Wrestling and MLW.
“The word on the street is that he grew up with WWE, and that was his dream. It’s actually a surprise they haven’t taken him. He has a good look, a good physique, had charisma and can go in the ring. Friends of his said that they recommend he go with AEW because they’re looking at doing things right now with new people whereas in WWE it would be a long wait. In the end, it probably depends on who sells themselves best to him as to plans,” Meltzer wrote.
Atlas (real name Kenny Marquez) has been wrestling for just three years and made headlines in February 2018 when he announced he was gay.
