Tag: Karl Anderson

Karl Anderson praises Dominik Mysterio, comments on Finn Balor’s Judgment Day exit

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Dominik Mysterio’s WWE glow-up has drawn praise from The Good Brothers. 

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows were special guests on TMZ’s Inside The Ring. Anderson perceived Mysterio as a World Champion in the initial years of touring in WWE. 

Anderson said:

“Dominik is, I’ve said it even back then, you know, when he first started, I wasn’t sure when he was a baby face and he was just getting moving. But then when we worked with him in The Judgment Day, dude, we got on the road with him. We were doing live events with him and it was like immediately then though. That was man, I can’t believe it now, that’s four years ago. I said, ‘Dude, Dom’s a future World Champion, and there’s no way he’s not going to be.’”

Anderson pointed out how the young Mysterio always eagerly listened and put into effect the advice he received backstage to hone his wrestling abilities. 

“He’s too good. He’s too smart. He’s too respectful. He listens. He takes advice and actually does it. You know, he doesn’t just take the advice and just have it go one ear (out the other). He actually listens and and changes and does what he’s told and and practice and, puts to practice what he hears.It’s amazing to watch Dom what he’s turned into.” 

Gallows added how Mysterio complemented his heel turn with the strong reaction and backlash from fans. 

“Dom’s a pro-wrestling sponge. And the beautiful thing about him was watching that heel turn. And you don’t know how people are going to be when they’re young and they’re getting booed, but talk about somebody who learned to bask in the heat, live the heat, get more heat, have unbelievable, can’t talk on the microphone level booing and heat. It’s incredible, man. And kudos to him.”

Anderson added about Finn Balor’s exit from The Judgment Day and wished it was done earlier. 

“I wish he (Finn Balor) could’ve left the Judgment Day earlier and I wish we could have had a really fun run together at some point obviously. Finn’s a top, top, tippy top guy, and this is his moment. I hope he gets a chance to be the World Heavyweight Champion, and he gets to be heel Finn Balor at the top, a heel champion Finn Balor at the top.” 

The Good Brothers feuded with The Judgment Day in 2022. They aligned with a returning Michin to deal with their Rhea Ripley problem after she slammed Gallows in a viral WWE moment on an edition of Raw in October that year. 

Good Brothers say Styles will return ‘one way or another’

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

In his 20-plus years in pro wrestling, nobody teamed with AJ Styles more often than the Good Brothers of Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. Nobody knows Styles better than them—and they don’t think his retirement will last. 

The two were asked about Styles’ retirement in an appearance on Busted Open Radio. “I think he can sit it out for a couple of years,” Anderson said. “I think he’s able to fix the itch by helping people. He loves teaching. He loves helping the next generation. He loves helping younger wrestlers. He knows people look up to him. He knows how good he is. He knows how good that people think he is. I really believe that will satisfy the itch…until he can’t satisfy the itch anymore with it.”

“Maybe he just needs a couple of years away,” Anderson continued. “Maybe he just needs a year and a half away. I do think it’s going to be at least a year. I do think it’s going to be at least a year and a half, even. But the itch is always going to come back. He’s too competitive, man. And he’s just too good still. And I know that at some point, I believe he’s going to have to get back in there.”

Gallows agreed. “AJ beat the house, but I would bet this beautiful house that I’m sitting in right now that he will be back,” he said. “And I just see him coming back to the ring one way or another. There’s too much left in the tank. And the itch is real.”

That’s not what Gallows said, however, on the night of Styles’ retirement ceremony on Monday Night Raw in Atlanta. “He actually really is finished, and there’s not another story,” Gallows said in WWE footage captured that night. “There’s not a jump. There’s finality. But I just saw him for the first time, I’ve been here a few hours and he’s been busy, and I just saw him and I could see how happy he was.”

Karl Anderson reveals what led to AJ Styles retirement decision

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Karl Anderson initially wasn’t sure AJ Styles’ retirement was legitimate. After speaking with him backstage at WWE Raw on Monday, Anderson knows that his friend is really stepping away from the ring.

WWE brought in Anderson and his tag team partner Luke Gallows for the Styles tribute that took place on Raw this Monday night. At the show, Anderson and Styles got the chance to reconnect. Anderson explained on his Talk’n Shop podcast that he and Styles do not speak all that often due to both of them being so busy with their families. During their conversation, Styles stated that neck pain contributed to his retirement decision.

“He said, ‘Dude, I have to. My neck is hurting too bad, I’m beat up, it’s time. I want to help the next generation.’ And I go, ‘Well, I didn’t really believe it, so I just kept talking on my podcast about how you were not going to retire and you’re going to go here and you’re going to go there. And now I gotta eat a lot of crow, pal,'” Anderson said.

“So ladies and gentlemen, fans of Talk’n Shop, it’s my esteemed honor to humbly apologize for giving anybody false hope that AJ Styles was not going to retire. Clearly, I was wrong. He shoot retired.”

Styles’ final match was a loss to Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026. When that happened, Anderson expected that Styles would end up going to AEW or TNA for one last run. But reality started to settle in when Anderson saw the huge tribute WWE did for Styles on Raw.

It was known all along that Styles would be retiring at some point in 2026, but his final match happening so soon into the year came as a surprise to fans. He is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas this April.

Retiring before he reached a point where he was embarrassing himself in the ring was a priority for Styles. He also wants to be home more often and spend more time with his family. At least one of Styles’ four children is interested in pursuing a career in wrestling. If that does happen, Styles could be enticed to return for one more match.

AEW team Brodido announced for indie match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW Tag Team Champions Brodido will be working The Good Brothers in an indie match later this month.

It’s been announced that a non-title bout between Brody King & Bandido and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson will take place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Saturday, November 29. The match is part of the annual WrestleCade SuperShow — which is a Thanksgiving weekend tradition in Winston-Salem during the WrestleCade convention.

The show is happening at the Benton Convention Center and will be broadcast via Title Match Network. Also announced for the card is a singles bout with Killer Kross (w/ Scarlett Bordeaux) facing Psycho Boy Fodder (w/ Angelina Love).

Originally put together as a makeshift team, Brodido have thrived in the AEW tag division, becoming champs this August. They have a title defense coming up soon against FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) at AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view on November 22.

This will be the first time Brodido have faced The Good Brothers. Gallows & Anderson — who have experience in WWE, NJPW, TNA, AEW, and more — are set to debut for MLW on November 20.

WrestleCade 2025 is being held from November 28-30, with Sting, Trish Stratus, Kazuchika Okada, Jushin Thunder Liger, The Hardys, and Arn Anderson among those who will be attending the convention portion of the weekend.

Good Brothers to make MLW debut

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Good Brothers are coming to MLW for the first time ever.

MLW confirmed today that Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows will debut for the promotion in Charleston, South Carolina next month. The official announcement was made after The Good Brothers cut a social media promo saying they wanted to be involved in the Thursday, November 20 event — which is being put on by MLW in partnership with Hollywood star Danny McBride and his Don Gato tequila brand.

Gallows & Anderson will be wrestling at the show, but their opponents have not been announced yet. The duo are one of the most well-traveled teams in wrestling, having held gold for WWE, NJPW, TNA, and more. The MLW tag belts are held by Donovan Dijak & Bishop Dyer at the moment.

Since their most recent WWE stint ended this February, The Good Brothers have wrestled on the indies while remaining free agents. They also worked a date for NJPW in the United States back in May.

This is The Good Brothers’ first time wrestling for MLW, but they do have ties to the company dating back to a decade ago when their Talk ‘n’ Shop podcast originally was part of the MLW Radio network.

A special appearance by Arn Anderson has also been announced for the MLW x Don Gato Tequila event. It’s taking place at Charleston Music Hall and will air live on YouTube and beIN Sports.

Deputy Sheriff recounts saving Scott Steiner’s life in 2020

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Georgia Deputy Sheriff partially responsible for saving Scott Steiner’s life in 2020 has opened up about the experience.

Chris Johnson, who is also a wrestling promoter and co-owns Lariato Pro Wrestling with Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, was a guest on The Good Brothers’ Talkin Shop podcast recently. He spoke about being backstage at Impact Wrestling’s show on March 6, 2020 in Atlanta when Steiner collapsed backstage and was later taken to hospital.

Johnson said:

“Scott’s out there and he’s cutting his promo and he’s fired up as always. And he comes to the back and he did nothing in the ring but throw a clothesline. I mean, he took no bumps. He did nothing. So he’s walking to the back and I just happened to walk back there. For whatever reason, I just happened to go check on something. And Scott’s laying in the floor. And there’s people around him and they’re holding his hand and they’re talking to him.”

“So, I get close to him and he’s purple, like his lips are purple.”

“I jumped in and I start the compressions, chest compressions. I hear somebody like, why’s he doing that? And I’ll tell you why, because if you’re unresponsive, even though you’re not breathing, if you’re getting blood pumped to your organs, they’re usually going to be okay. Even when you get shocked or whatever, come back. If you keep that blood pumping, you keep that blood going to the brain, you still got oxygen in your blood, you’re probably not going to go brain dead.”

“And there’s another guy that jumps in because I don’t know if you’ve ever done chest compressions, but after so long, you’re just winded. So another brother jumps in and he’s doing some chest compressions and we swap out a couple of times. And then they come in with the defibrillator and all the things and shock him and send him on his way (to the hospital). And I’ll be honest, I told him this after we talked, I did not think he was alive when he left.”

Doc Gallows related to Johnson that Steiner credits him with having saved his life that night.

Later that night, Tommy Dreamer posted to social media to let fans know that Steiner was doing well, writing, “Im at the hospital right now w/ @ScottDAmore @JoeyRyanOnline. Scott Steiner is doing well. And under great care. Say a prayer for Big Poppa Pump. Holla if ya hear me.”

The following day, Steiner’s wife Christa posted to social media thanking everyone at Impact Wrestling for taking care of him: “First of all I went to thank everyone @IMPACTWRESTLING for taking such great care of my husband @ScottDAmore @THETOMMYDREAMER @johnnyswinger2 @JoeyRyanOnline @IMPACTWRESTLING & Cobb County EMTs. We appreciate all the well wishes, thoughts & prayers. He will make a [100 percent] recovery.”

Chris “Laser” Johnson’s full appearance on The Talkin Shop podcast with Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows is available below:

Good Brothers to team with Young Bucks at NJPW Resurgence

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Good Brothers are officially free agents — and they’ve already booked their NJPW return.

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson entered free agency today with 90 days having passed since WWE released them. NJPW announced that the two will return to the promotion this Friday at Resurgence, where they’ll reunite with their former Bullet Club faction members The Young Bucks in an eight-man tag match against Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Clark Connors & Gedo of Bullet Club War Dogs.

NJPW shared a promo with Gallows & Anderson addressing their return:

“What you’re witnessing here today my friends, it is not a re-debut. It is not an arrival shot. It is a resurrection. It is the resurgence of the Good Brothers,” Gallows said.

“May 9 is day one at Resurgence,” Anderson added. “You are witnessing a total takeover.”

Gallows & Anderson have had three reigns together as IWGP Tag Team Champions in NJPW. Anderson has also held singles gold in the company with one reign as NEVER Openweight Champion.

Their most recent WWE run lasted from late 2022 until February 2025. Resurgence will be Anderson’s first time wrestling since undergoing surgery last November for a torn rotator cuff and partially torn labrum.

Friday’s show is taking place from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California and will air on New Japan World as a pay-per-view. Here is the updated card:

NJPW Resurgence (Friday, May 9) —

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hirooki Goto defends against Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against AZM and Mina Shirakawa in a three-way match
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against El Phantasmo
  • Strong Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii defends against Drilla Moloney
  • The Young Bucks, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, Clark Connors & Gedo
  • Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson defend against Templario & TJP
  • Fred Rosser vs. Matt Vandagriff
  • Pre-show: Allan Breeze vs. CJ Tino

Karl Anderson says he’s more than 500 days sober: ‘I feel great’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

More than a year into what’s proven to be a positive lifestyle change, Karl Anderson is feeling great.

Anderson said on a new episode of his Talk’n Shop podcast that he’s now been sober for over 500 days. With him not drinking alcohol, Anderson’s health has improved and he’s feeling a lot younger.

“The Machine Gun is like 500-something days stone-cold sober. I feel great. Next level, not drinking beer. I feel great,” he said. “Health is through the roof. Listen, I was one of the best wrestlers around anyway, I just never got credit for it. I was one of the best wrestlers ever and I was hungover half the time. But now that I’m not ever hungover, I feel like I’m f*cking 22 again. That’s a f*cking shoot hoot.”

The 45-year-old Anderson underwent shoulder surgery last November for a torn rotator cuff and partially torn labrum. He was under contract with WWE at the time, but Anderson and his Good Brothers tag team partner Luke Gallows were released by the company in February. They’ll officially enter free agency this Thursday (May 8) when their non-compete clauses expire.

Anderson & Gallows have spent time teaming together in NJPW, TNA, and AEW in addition to their multiple stints with WWE.

Daily Update: Joe Tessitore, Hammerstone return, Karl Anderson trademarks

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The most detailed look at the updated Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE. We look at the new claims, the arguments in favor of the case not going to arbitration as McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE have argued, who is the most in jeopardy, lots of notes on the legal strategy from both sides, more text messages released as well.
  • Tons of records set at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the direction going into WrestleMania, the fake record John Cena may break and who has always been planned to break it later, Dwayne Johnson, Jey Uso, Alexa Bliss, business records including a very noteworthy record set by the show. We have an apples-to-apples comparison between Rumble viewers on Netflix and Raw viewers which is very interesting.
  • The ringboys lawsuit goes forward against Vince & Linda McMahon and WWE, details of what the issues that put it on hold were as well as a very important note about the suit that hasn’t gotten much talk.
  • The most detailed look at TV ratings and streaming numbers for pro wrestling programming in the U.S., including segment-by-segment numbers, what countries Raw is strongest in, competition and more.
  • Unique tournament this month in Mexico City
  • A look at major international matches over the past week
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Tag champ brothers release a new album and music video.
  • New Beginning in Osaka and Fantastica Mania upcoming shows.
  • Young Bucks talk their return to Japan
  • Why Hiroshi Tanahashi was in tears after Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Hall of Famer says his son has recently got a WWE offer
  • Ed Wiskowski’s time in Australia.
  • Lots of news on Grand Slam Australia.
  • International TV numbers and streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales to all the major upcoming WWE & AEW shows including WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, Revolution and All In.
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Merch sale leaders from WWE & AEW
  • Story on the retirement of Dominick Cruz and his legacy in UFC
  • One of the key people in the pro wrestling business and the most important person in the MMA business are rumored to be working together to start a new sports franchise
  • How is ESPN+ doing
  • Another world champion wants release from his promotion.
  • All the craziness of the Canelo negotiations
  • TKO stock reaching record highs
  • Lots of news on Mania week
  • More on cancellation of Cena TV show
  • More on new Evolve TV show
  • Another lawsuit with Nick Khan’s name in it
  • How much WWE stock does Dwayne Johnson now own?
  • Lots of contract news
  • WWE & AEW injury stats – which company, on average, has more serious injuries.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded post-Dynamite promos from Undisputed Kingdom, Lance Archer & Brian Cage, and Max Caster.
  • Harley Cameron debuted a new rap/promo on Mercedes Mone last night to promote their TBS Championship match at Grand Slam Australia.
  • During a social media Q&A, Mone responded to a fan who asked which wrestlers she wants to recruit to AEW: “If I listed the people I wanted in AEW The other place would sign them [teacup emoji] #aewceo #AEWGrandSlam”
  • On AEW Unrestricted this week, Aubrey Edwards and Will Washington previewed the Grand Slam card.
  • Uncrowned published a story on Ricochet.
  • Peacock released a teaser trailer for Twisted Metal season two, which features Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth. The new season will premiere in summer 2025.
  • The trio of Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Hook are now known as “The Opps” in AEW. It’s a term that means opposition.
  • Following his release from WWE, Karl Anderson has filed trademarks for “Automatic” and “AKA.” The filings were made on February 12.
  • The Owen Hart Foundation made a social media post noting that Dr. Martha Hart and Oje Hart recently met up with Ann Callis, the attorney for Vince McMahon’s accuser Janel Grant:
    • The OHF crew sat down again with another NYC based production company to chat about the OHF’s 25th anniversary and the backstory that lead to its creation, which will air in the Fall so watch for it. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with lovely attorney Ann Callis, a former chief judge of Illinois’s Third Judicial Circuit and the current lead council for Janel Grant who is based in St. [Louis] MO and we wish them much luck in their quest for justice.
  • After undergoing a minor knee procedure in December 2024, TNA wrestler Hammerstone is scheduled to return to the ring this Sunday (February 16), facing Donovan Dijak in a match for indie promotion Destiny Wrestling in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Hammerstone is defending his Destiny World Championship in the match.
  • Hammerstone shared the following update on how his recovery in the gym is going: “Training legs is still super frustrating. The amount of pain in my knee that I just have to accept and fight through is indescribable… but I refuse to let it stop me: 7 weeks post surgery. 4 plate hack”
  • Steph De Lander posted an update on her recovery from neck surgery: “My surgeon told me I have an ‘unprecedented rate of new bone growth’ and am healing way ahead of schedule. So I am basically John Cena”
  • Dijak has been announced as an entrant for MLW Battle Riot VII, which is being held in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5.
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Shinya Aoki will take place for DDT Pro Wrestling at their WrestleMania week show in Las Vegas on Friday, April 18.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Samantha Irvin.
  • The Great Muta will be a guest at WrestleCon in Las Vegas this April.

Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Giovanni Vinci released from WWE

Posted on by Ian Carey

Several more WWE releases have been confirmed.

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are no longer with the company, according to reports from PWInsider and Fightful Select on Saturday. Giovanni Vinci has also been released, per Fightful Select.

The Good Brothers and Vinci join Sonya Deville, Cedric Alexander, AOP, Paul Ellering, Blair Davenport, and Isla Dawn as part of the latest round of cuts.

Anderson and Gallows had been with WWE since returning in June 2022. Their first stint lasted from 2016 until their release in April 2020. Gallows previously worked for WWE from 2005 to 2010 under gimmicks including an imposter Kane, Festus (of Jesse & Festus), and a member of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society, before being released in November 2010.

Vinci debuted in WWE as part of the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic and later formed a tag team with Marcel Barthel in 2017. The duo aligned with WALTER (now Gunther) and Ludwig Kaiser to form Imperium and captured the NXT Tag Team Championships twice. Vinci was removed from the group in April 2024 and had limited appearances on WWE programming afterward.

Karl Anderson details shoulder injury, timeline for WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Speaking on his Talk’n Shop podcast this week, WWE wrestler Karl Anderson provided some details on the surgery he recently underwent.

Anderson announced earlier this week that he had undergone shoulder surgery and would be out of action until after WrestleMania 41. He gave a more precise timeline on Talk’n Shop, saying that he’s expected to miss 6-9 months.

Around two months ago, Anderson felt something wrong in a match but did not think anything of it. He then felt something wrong again in another match that happened a week later. Anderson had a few more matches with the pain progressively getting worse. He could not sleep at night because his shoulder was aching and throbbing. After he told WWE doctors, they quickly handled the situation and Anderson had an MRI done. It found that Anderson had suffered a torn rotator cuff and a partially torn labrum.

“They immediately saw that it was a torn rotator cuff tendon — the supraspinatus, I believe that’s the right one — and a partially torn labrum. The partially torn labrum probably could have been workable,” Anderson said. “When they got in there and they saw the torn rotator cuff, that’s a non-negotiable.”

Prior to being forced out of action, Anderson and his tag team partner Luke Gallows were working matches in NXT. Anderson wrestled a couple of main roster dark matches in September as well.

Anderson & Gallows are a decorated team with title reigns in WWE, NJPW, and Impact Wrestling. They have not held gold in WWE since their first run with the company. Both were released in 2020 but have been back since 2022.

Karl Anderson undergoes surgery

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Karl Anderson of The OC has undergone surgery and will be sidelined until after WWE WrestleMania 41.

In a social media post Monday, Anderson revealed that he had undergone surgery in Birmingham, Alabama performed by Dr. Dugas. The accompanying photo shows Anderson’s left arm in a sling.

Furthermore, Anderson promised to reveal details regarding his injury and the subsequent surgery on his Talk’n Shop podcast, with a new episode dropping Thursday.

Anderson and tag partner Luke Gallows were last in action at the October 1 WWE NXT taping in a dark match, with the duo’s last televised bout airing on the September 24 WWE NXT episode. The OC’s last main roster televised bout came in July on SmackDown as part of a WWE Tag Team title number one contender’s gauntlet.

Anderson wrote in the caption:

“Thanks to Dr. Dugas in Birmingham, Alabama for fixing me

See you after #WrestleMania 😘 #WWE#wweraw

Details on this weeks #TalkNShop dropping Thursday am.
Link in bio @talknshoppodcast

Monday Night Raw tonight! @wwe”

Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger set for WWE NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been added to the lineup for Tuesday’s edition of WWE NXT.

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows vs. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger is now scheduled for the show. It will be a rematch from the August 20 episode, when Hank and Tank picked up an upset victory.

WWE announced the news on Sunday, writing:

“This has been bubbling for a few weeks. @TankLedgerWWE & @HankWalker_WWE will go head-to-head with @MachineGunKA & @The_BigLG THIS TUESDAY on #WWENXT!”

Three matches and two segments are now set for Tuesday’s show, which will be the last episode before NXT heads to The CW.

The lineup for the Tuesday, September 24 WWE NXT: 

  • NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan defends against Wren Sinclair
  • Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
  • Ridge Holland vs. Riley Osborne
  • The Grayson Waller Effect with Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, and guests Nathan Frazer & Axiom
  • NXT on CW press conference

The O.C vs. Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe set for WWE NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been confirmed for WWE NXT Spring Breakin’ night two. 

Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe vs. The OC’s Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows will take place on the show.

Dupont & Igwe have been teaming together at NXT house shows and episodes of Level Up since last summer. A vignette aired on last Tuesday’s show promoting their NXT debuts but did not reveal their opponents. 

Igwe and Dupont were both signed after WWE’s tryouts in Nashville during SummerSlam week in 2022. Both were collegiate track and field athletes specializing in shot put. Igwe went to Eastern Michigan and Dupont went to South Alabama. Their first tag match together was in May 2023 but they didn’t start regularly performing as a team until last August. 

WWE NXT lineup for Tuesday, April 30, 2024 —

  • NXT North American Champion Oba Femi defends against Ivar
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend against Akam & Rezar
  • NXT Underground match: Natalya (w/Karmen Petrovic) vs. Lola Vice (w/Shayna Baszler)
  • Thea Hail vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe vs. The O.C (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows)

Karl Anderson says he texted Triple H to bring Tama Tonga to WWE

Posted on by Ian Carey

Karl Anderson recently spoke about the role he played in bringing Tama Tonga to WWE. 

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio on Tuesday, Anderson said he texted Triple H after Wrestle Kingdom 17 to let him know that Tonga’s contract with NJPW was expiring soon. 

Anderson said:

After my Tokyo Dome match in 2023, which Triple H let me do because we signed back with WWE and I was still a champion in New Japan. And he still allowed me to go back and do two more dates with New Japan Pro Wrestling with no issue at all. I remember texting Triple H and telling him that Tama Tonga’s contract is coming up and I think Tama is a full-blown can’t-miss if you ask me. And he wrote back right away. It took a year to get it done but, like I said, I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason.

Tonga defeated Anderson for the NEVER Openweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in what was Anderson’s final match in NJPW.  Tonga’s final NJPW match took place at The New Beginning in Sapporo on February 24, 2024. He had been with the company since 2010. 

Anderson continued to say of Tonga:

I think it’s great that Tama’s had 15 or 16 years all in New Japan Pro Wrestling, to come into WWE and show them that experience and that he is ready for prime time. It’s unlimited right now for what Tama Tonga can pull off in the WWE. I’m excited to watch.

Tonga made his WWE debut on Friday’s episode of SmackDown and helped Solo Sikoa attack Jimmy Uso. Anderson says WWE didn’t tell Tonga he would be debuting that night. 

He had no clue he was going to debut that night either, which is kind of WWE-style. They’ll bring you in and then you gotta debut.

It was pretty fun to just watch my friend and brother go through the fact that he knows he’s about to go on live national television for the first time ever, really. I’m proud of him. I think he knocked it out of the park.