Tag: kevin ku

Taka Michinoku to challenge for indie title on rare US trip

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Taka Michinoku will be working a title match in March when he makes a rare trip to the United States.

Last month, Michinoku — who spent years working in the U.S. when he wrestled for WWE in the late 1990s/early 2000s — put out a call saying he would be in Indiana on March 27-28 and wanted to wrestle. Black Label Pro has now announced that Michinoku will challenge Kevin Ku for the BLP Championship at their Squared Circle Expo VI event that weekend.

The show is being held at The Wyndham Indianapolis West on Friday, March 27 as part of the Squared Circle Expo fan convention. Others set to appear include Deonna Purrazzo, Gangrel, and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Michinoku is a former WWF Light Heavyweight Champion and was a long-time member of the NJPW roster. He still wrestles occasional matches for NJPW but mostly competes for his Just Tap Out promotion in Japan.

“I’m going to Indianapolis on March 27th and 28th,” he wrote last month while putting out a call for bookings. “If I go all the way to US, I’d like to wrestle around that time. I went to England and Australia in the last few years, but it’s been seven years since I went to the U.S. Please make an offer to DM.”

Daily Update: Je’Von Evans, new AEW Collision matches, Kevin Ku

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Lots more on the AAA sale to TKO (and that it’s not actually completed), CMLL’s cryptic response, Grand Slam Mexico, Dorian Roldan talks why he sold and Konnan and Latin Lover talk the future of AAA and in theory how things change in Mexico and the U.S., plus the major business goals.
  • Tam Nakano ends her career, Mayu Iwatani leaves Stardom, Stardom puts on its biggest show with its biggest match in history and a couple of award categories this should do well in.
  • Update on WWE Backlash
  • Update on both major lawsuits against Vince McMahon and WWE. New plaintiffs emerge in the ringboys suit and a new Vice President is implicated, and Janel Grant’s attorneys push for the case to move forward while the defendants want discovery held up.
  • Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff promote Real American Freestyle. What they need for success, what mistakes they’ve already made and is Hogan the right person to the face of the company
  • Full coverage of TNA Rebellion
  • Long story on the Hollywood Demons episode on the Von Erichs, how this is different from other stories, more on the deaths, the political situation in Texas and things in the new documentary that aren’t completely accurate, as well as dispelling major myths.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings, including placings, demos, competition and more for all the shows
  • End of the CMLL Universal championship tournament with a super finish
  • MLW vs. CMLL matches this week
  • Champion Carnival update
  • Lots of New Japan big matches coming up
  • Meiko Satomura retires
  • Big indie shows this week
  • Big Progress tournament this week
  • RVD injury update
  • More NXT stars on TNA television
  • AEW expects one of its biggest gates for upcoming show
  • Bryan Danielson talks his career and AEW
  • Advanced ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows
  • Lots of injury updates
  • PFL involved in a number of messy lawsuits
  • Freak show fight with powerlifters gets major attention
  • SmackDown time slot change
  • Did you know the person behind the movie with Liv Morgan did a movie based on a Hall of Fame 80s and 90s pro wrestling legend
  • Value of WWE’s PLEs on the open market
  • The story of the most powerful man in combat sports that most reporters aren’t touching
  • Lots of notes on the Smashing Machine movie
  • How much Dwayne Johnson has made since joining the TK Board
  • More talk on a WWE all-women’s PPV show

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • On X/Twitter today, Je’Von Evans referred to AEW’s Tony Khan as a “crackhead” while going back and forth with Ricochet. Evans has since deleted all of his tweets from the exchange. He wrote in two of the posts:
    • You Learned From HBK When I Was 12 And Became A Multiple Time Champion. Now, You’re Wrestling In Front Of 2,000 People, Every Week, For A Crackhead. Talk About An Upgrade Am I Right?? #TheYoungOG
    • Sounds Like Mr. Khan Isn’t Giving You Enough Attention. Sooooooooo, You Had To Come For A Successful Ass Youngin You’re Giving Me The Most Views On My Post And I’m Finally Helping You Get The Most Attention You’ve Ever Had In Your Career All Love
  • WrestleVotes reports that Goldberg’s name has come up in WWE creative recently ahead of his retirement match that’s expected to happen at some point this summer:
    • According to multiple sources, Goldberg’s name has been floated internally within WWE over the past week — the first time since his Bad Blood appearance and his interactions with Gunther. Feels like the inevitable return is nearing.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new vlog.
  • Bully Ray interviewed ring announcer Alicia Taylor for Busted Open Radio.
  • Bianca Belair was the guest on this week’s episode of What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon.
  • The WWE Vault YouTube channel shared a new video with rare footage from past Backlash events.

Other Wrestling

  • A singles match between Ricochet and Angelico has been added to the card for tonight’s live episode of AEW Collision. Along with that, an eight-man tag bout is set with Bandido, AR Fox & The Outrunners taking on Kyle Fletcher, Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta & Lance Archer. There have now been six matches confirmed for the show:
    • Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale
    • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico
    • Daniel Garcia vs. a member of FTR (Dax Harwood or Cash Wheeler)
    • Anthony Bowens vs. Lee Johnson
    • Ricochet vs. Angelico
    • Bandido, AR Fox & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) vs. Kyle Fletcher, Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta & Lance Archer
  • Harley Cameron, Swerve Strickland, and Satnam Singh visited the Detroit Pistons’ training facility before Dynamite this week.
  • Nyla Rose joined Aubrey Edwards & Will Washington on AEW Unrestricted to discuss their favorite matches and moments from Double or Nothing history.
  • Hologram will compete in the 10-man Cibernetico match at DEAN~! 2 in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday, May 24. Action Wrestling is partnering with AEW to produce the tribute show honoring Dean Rasmussen, a poster from the Death Valley Driver Video Review forum who passed away in 2023.
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted an interview with DDT wrestler MAO, who is competing in the 2025 Best of the Super Juniors. MAO said he wants to set an example for the younger wrestlers in DDT:
    • Everywhere I go, every signing, people have been wishing me luck. I definitely feel the expectation from the people. And I want to show to the young talent in DDT that this is a possibility for them. I go overseas a lot, and it makes me proud that now younger guys in DDT want to give that a shot. Now there’s the possibility for them to go into BOSJ as well, and that’s gonna make everyone in DDT work harder.
  • Joe Hendry spoke to WrestleTalk about how he approaches his responsibilities as TNA World Champion:
    • It’s hugely rewarding. There was a period of time where a lot of colleagues were getting signed and I was kind of wondering if and when things would happen for me.
    • But I was enjoying the process of what I was doing so much and I was so focused on getting the best reactions that I could from the fans, that all the opportunities came as soon as I shifted my focus into just giving the audience the best entertainment that I possibly could.
    • But to now be here as TNA World Champion, it’s an amazing feeling and a responsibility that I enjoy, and my focus is just trying to deliver record business for TNA.
    • I want people to look back and say, ‘Joe Hendry as World Champion, The Hardys as tag champs, that meant big business for TNA.’
    • So I’m excited for the business that the entire locker room is doing for the company and everyone backstage and the fans as well. TNA’s a hot product right now and, yeah, onwards and upwards.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Indi Hartwell reflected on the match she had against Becky Lynch for WWE in 2023:
    • My anxiety was through the roof that day. I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous for a match, but she was amazing to work with. I’m so grateful that she spoke up and asked to work with me and I think Tegan and Xia Li, so she helped us a bunch. That was one of my only singles matches on the main roster, because I was in the tag team. So yeah, I learned a lot from her and I just feel grateful that I got to work with her.
  • USA Today published a story on Mike Santana.
  • MLW announced that it will hold a Lucha Apocalypto event in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, November 15. The show is taking place at Cicero Stadium and will include wrestlers from CMLL. Tickets are going on sale next Wednesday (May 14) at 10 a.m. Central time.
  • Defy Wrestling mourned the passing of Kevin Diers, a Seattle rock radio host who had worked for Defy since the promotion began: “We are deeply saddened to hear that our brother, Kevin Diers, has passed away. Kevin has worked with DEFY since day one. RIP, my friend…”
  • Former GCW Tag Team Champion Kevin Ku underwent knee surgery yesterday to repair a meniscus injury he was trying to work through: “My knee has not been great for a while but it really gave out the day before Hammerstein and I’ve been working through that ever since. Glad to finally get it fixed [Wednesday] and come back 100% probably”
  • F1RST Wrestling will return to the Mall of America for the fourth straight year with their Saturday Night Nitro event taking place in Bloomington, Minnesota on September 6.
  • The Righteous posted a new social media hype video following their departure from AEW.

Daily Update: WrestleMania, Shelton Benjamin, Violence is Forever

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer:

  • The latest on WrestleMania and AEW Dynasty, card changes, injuries tickets sold, and ticket interest.
  • NCAA wrestling tournament rundown, the biggest upset in modern tournament history, Dan Gable talks Gable Steveson, Hodge Trophy, and records set
  • Firings at TNA and what is behind them
  • CMLL El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas
  • The life and times of George Foreman
  • The amazing life of Bill Mercer and the glory days of World Class Championship Wrestling
  • Cain Velasquez sentencing
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week, including competition, demographics and quarters
  • Universal champion of champions tournament
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico
  • The new La Parka
  • AAA Rey de Reyes notes
  • Chris Bey benefit show
  • Another wrestling TV special
  • Death of historian Dave Cameron
  • Death of Julio Estrada
  • Hall of Fame in North Carolina?
  • El Hijo del Santo sad retirement notes
  • New book coming out on 90s wrestling
  • More on Saraya leaving AEW
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Conor McGregor wants to run for President of Ireland
  • TKO exects pocket $278 million in latest transaction
  • Former WWE name openly talks about a return
  • WWE value

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • WrestleVotes reports that, while it’s possible that things can change, the matches that have been confirmed for WrestleMania so far are currently planned for the following nights:
  • Night one (Saturday, April 19) –
    • Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
    • Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship
    • Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
    • Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Night two (Sunday, April 20) –
    • Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship
    • IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship
    • AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
  • Cody Rhodes told Fox News Digital that he believes John Cena and Randy Orton should immediately go into the WWE Hall of Fame when their careers are over:
    • I feel like there are certain people who should immediately go into the Hall of Fame when they’re done wrestling, and love him, hate him or indifferent, John Cena would check a box as somebody who should immediately go into the Hall of Fame. Also, Randy Orton should check a box as somebody who should immediately go into the Hall of Fame.
  • Rhodes also reiterated that he believes his brother Dustin is deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame:
    • And I’ve oftentimes said my brother. I feel like he had more if an important role in the Attitude Era and moving forward. And I think he’s extremely talented. I think I’d like to see that not just because I believe he deserves it, which he does, but I’d love to see the family just more added. The Hall of Fame doesn’t mean the same to everybody if that makes any sense. To my family, the Hall of Fame is the thing – the title and then the Hall of Fame.
    • My dad going in was such a huge deal. So, I’d love to see him joined by my brother. But yeah, Randy is somebody I’ve been thinking about a lot too. We got a lot of hopefully future Hall of Famers with us.
  • Kiana James, who has been out of action since June 2024, shared a brief social media video documenting her recovery from a leg injury.
  • WWE Deutschland interviewed CM Punk.
  • B-Fab cut a promo on Naomi ahead of their match on SmackDown this Friday.
  • Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels’ Iron Man match from WrestleMania XII ranked 14th in WWE’s countdown of the 50th greatest matches in WrestleMania history.
  • Michaels and The Undertaker sat down together to rewatch their classic WrestleMania XXV match for a WWE Playback video.
  • WWE uploaded a Playlist video with footage of every Triple H WrestleMania entrance.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • It was announced on Dynamite last night that Hurt Syndicate member Shelton Benjamin missed the show due to travel issues. He sent out a message on Instagram apologizing to all of the fans for not being there. Benjamin said his day started at 6 a.m. but he wasn’t able to make it to his hotel in Peoria, Illinois until around 11 p.m.
  • Benjamin wrote:
    • To the @aew fans of Peoria [Illinois] i offer my sincere apologies. As a professional I pride myself on always showing up and showing out where advertised by Aew. Unfortunately despite Aew staff and my best efforts I was unable to make it to Peoria in time for tonight’s @aew Dynamite due to Major weather related flight delays. Please know I am just as disappointed as some of you may be and will take steps to avoid a repeat of this unfortunate situation in the future. Again my apologies and together we will hurt people next time
  • GCW Tag Team Champions Violence is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku) appeared as extras on Dynamite, playing security guards in the backstage segment with Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page.
  • This week’s AEW Unrestricted podcast is a Dynasty preview episode featuring an appearance by “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
  • Noelle Foley made a post on her Instagram stories yesterday saying that she was flying home to see her father Mick, who was thankfully able to avoid catastrophic injury in a scary car accident. Mick Foley suffered a concussion, has soft tissue damage, and is sore but said he feels really fortunate that the situation isn’t worse. He still plans on making all of his scheduled appearances that are coming up.
  • Noelle wrote:
    • Flying home to see my dad right now. Thanks to those of you who reached out. I’ve honestly been an emotional wreck these past 24 hours, but I am just so thankful and grateful that he is ‘okay.’ I put okay in parentheses because he is very banged up and in a great deal of pain and had a concussion, which we all know can be very tricky and symptoms can be delayed after the injury. So I’ve been frantically worried about him, but just very happy I’ll be landing soon and seeing him shortly.

      For anybody wondering what happened, my dad was in a bad car accident. No it wasn’t an April fools joke. My dad would never joke about a car accident or a concussion. Every time I see this picture I get so emotional. It’s a miracle he was able to walk away from this.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Samoa Joe listed AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Abyss, and Jeff Jarrett as his Mount Rushmore of TNA wrestlers.
  • Babyface v. Heel first reported that indie wrestler/trainer Chasyn Rance, a designated sex offender under Florida law, was arrested this week for violating the terms of his offender registration: “Chasyn Rance was arrested [Wednesday] for violating terms of his sex offender registration. Specifically, the Orange County Jail says he failed to report changes in vehicle ownership, failed to report an ‘internet ID, web page, or app name’ 2x, & provided false registration info 3x”

Tag Team title eliminator match set for MLW Fusion

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The first challengers for Los Parks’ MLW Tag Team titles will be determined on this week’s episode of MLW Fusion.

MLW has announced that TJP & Bu Ku Dao will face Violence is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku) in a Tag Team title eliminator match on Fusion this Wednesday. The winning team will be first in line for a shot at Los Parks’ MLW Tag Team titles.

Los Parks (LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park) defeated Marshall & Ross Von Erich on Fusion earlier this month to win the MLW Tag Team titles. In storyline, Salina de la Renta was the executive producer for the episode and made Tom Lawlor — a rival of the Von Erichs — the special guest referee for the Tag Team title match. Lawlor allowed Los Parks to cheat throughout the match, did fast counts for them, slow counted when the Von Erichs went for pins, and refused to count a pin for the Von Erichs at one point. 

MLW said that the Von Erichs “have deferred their rematch with Los Parks until they’ve settled unfinished business with Team Filthy.”

This week’s MLW Fusion will be headlined by Savio Vega vs. Richard Holliday in a Caribbean strap match for the Caribbean Heavyweight Championship. The episode premieres on YouTube, Fubo Sports, and the Roku Channel at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday.