Report: WrestleCon main event featuring AEW’s Ricochet almost got scrapped

After the much-awaited Ricochet vs. Leon Slater match was canceled, it was replaced by Ricochet and GOA vs. JetSpeed and Michael Oku, which got almost canceled again.

In the main event of the WrestleCon Mark Hitchcock Memorial SuperShow, fans witnessed AEW Trios teams, The Demand (Ricochet & Gates of Agony), facing off against JetSpeed (along with Michael Oku).

However, according to a recent report by PWInsider, The Gates of Agony’s (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) flight into Las Vegas was delayed and landed well beyond late.

Soon after their flight landed, Liona and Kaun rushed from their plane and headed toward the Horseshow in Las Vegas, where WrestleCon was taking place. In the process, they also abandoned their luggage at the Las Vegas airport and had their gear in their carry-ons.

Wrestlecon added extra time to some of the undercard matches and even added an additional match between Man Like DeReiss and Ethan Allen in order to give GOA time to get to the venue, so that the main event could go on as planned,” PWInsider wrote.

In the end, everything worked out, although there were worries throughout the show about delivering what was promised to the audience. The new main event was planned and arranged after TNA had decided to pull out their talents from matches against AEW wrestlers.

WrestleCon reveals new Supershow main event

A new main event has been announced for the WrestleCon Supershow.

WrestleCon revealed that Ricochet will now team with his Demand stablemates the GOA to take on JetSpeed & Michael Oku. In their post making the announcement, they personally thanked Tony Khan and AEW for their part in getting the match together.

“It took some exceptions to make this match happen on our little independent show to honor our friend, and we want to personally thank Tony Khan and AEW for allowing this to happen,” they wrote. “When we lost our main event, we had several wrestlers, management, and agents reach out and offer their help. Thanks to everybody that had a part in putting this one together.”

The original main event had been an interpromotional dream match between AEW’s Ricochet and TNA’s Leon Slater. Despite originally getting clearance by management, it was announced days later that TNA had pulled Slater from the show, citing “partner conflicts.”

A match between MJF and Nic Nemeth was also pulled around the same time, which was set to take place in May for Create-A-Pro. The AEW World Champion was critical of TNA President Carlos Silva following the announcement, saying the choice to remove TNA talent was “disgusting.”

Ricochet vs. Michael Oku announced for upcoming RevPro event

Michael Oku is best known around the world for his series of matches against Will Ospreay. Now he’s going to get to show what he can do against another AEW star.

Revolution Pro Wrestling owner Andy Quildan and Tom Campbell announced on the promotion’s YouTube channel that Oku would be facing AEW National Champion Ricochet at RevPro Live in Coventry on Sunday, March 22.

This will be the first-ever singles match between Oku and Ricochet. They have met in one previous match: Ricochet teamed with Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona to defeat Oku & Kevin Knight & Speedball Bailey at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025.

Ricochet has defended the AEW National Championship one time previously in RevPro, retaining against Nino Bryant at RevPro Uprising 2025 in December.

It is unclear whether or not Ricochet’s title will be on the line against Oku, or if indeed he will even be champion by then—he is scheduled to defend the title in a battle royal on the preshow to AEW Revolution this coming Sunday, March 15. 

RevPro Live in Coventry takes place at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 at the HMV Empire in Coventry, England. Tickets are available here. The show will also stream at RevPro OnDemand. 

ROH Global Wars UK live results: Red Velvet, Alex Windsor, Michael Oku in action

Ring of Honor heads overseas for tonight’s Global Wars UK edition of the show, featuring some of the top ROH talent against the best of the UK in addition to some inter-ROH/AEW matches.

In a Proving Ground match, ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet looks to keep the momentum going against Session Moth Marina where Marina must defeat or draw Velvet to earn a future title match.

Former WWE NXT UK wrestler Nina Samuels makes her ROH debut against Alex Windsor.

Past ROH competitor Michael Oku takes on Rocky Romero, and Wheeler Yuta of the Death Riders issues an open challenge.

Mark Davis faces Evil Uno while Lio Rush returns to battle Lee Johnson.

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Oi, Mates! This ‘ere wresslin’ show is ‘eaded to the Queen’s own country for Global Wars UK! I’m chuffed, mates! CHUFFED!

RevPro Champion Michael Oku vs Rocky Romero

Jessica Oliver, the announcer for RevPro was the guest announcer for the evening and made sure everyone knew Romero and Oku were there. Loudly. We’ve seen Oku on ROH before and he looked to be a good matchup for Romero.

The crowd was singing as the bell rang and Oku and Romero locked up. Romero went to his go-to dance move and tried to get the crowd on his side, but even with their tendency to chant and sing, the UK faithful were having none of it.

After an extended test of strength, Oku took control and began working Romero’s arm. Romero responded with a shoulder block, but Oku had it under control and hit a headscissor takedown. Oku went to put on his signature half-crab, but Romero kicked him off and sent him to the outside.

Romero dropped Oku face-first onto the ring apron (the steak-and-kidney-pie-est part of the ring!) and thew him back in for a cover. Oku kicked out at two, but Romero was in charge. He slowed everything down to a crawl and started picking Oku apart.

Romero threw three-ever clotheslines, but on four-ever, Oku came back with a dropkick. Oku planted Romero with a DDT, but could only get a two count. Oku hit a springbaord moonsault, but Romero rolled away. Oku sent him to the outside with a triangle dropkick and after an extended play to the crowd, he took a full lap and leapt onto Romero.

Oku tossed him back into the ring and climbed the ropes. Before he coult get set though, Romero laid in a shot and the two fought on the top turnbuckle. Oku punched Romero back to the mat and went up again, but Romero knocked him down onto the top rope.

Romero hit a butterfly suplex form the top rope, but Oku kicked out. Romero put an armbar on and Oku rolled it into his Half-Crab. Romero rolled out and the two traded blows in the center of the ring until Oku landed a high knee. Oku landed a springboard moonsault and then went back to the Half-Crab.

Romero tried to get to the ropes, but Oku bent him in half and Romero was forced to tap out.

Match Result: Michael Oku defeated Rocky Romero

Mark Davis vs Evil Uno

Davis is a member of the Don Callis family and Uno is Evil. It’s right there in the name.

Davis put a foot in Uno’s stomach off the Code of Honor, then chopped him from post to post. Uno, who isn’t a small dude, started throwing them right back. Davis bounced off the ropes with a shoulder block though.

Uno slipped out to regroup, but Davis followed him. Uno took a seat in the corner, luring Davis into chopping the chair he was sitting on. Davis punched Uno in the face and set him up in the chair for a running shoulder. Davis tossed Uno back into the ring.

Davis countered some chops with a scoop slam and then stomped Uno in the corner. Uno wasn’t going down though and charged Davis. Davis hit a suplex and dropkick before throwing Uno across the ring. He went for a lazy cover and Uno kicked out.

Uno turned a headlock into a chinbreaker and tried to ht a brainbuster. Davis was too big and countered into another body slam. He went for a senton, but Uno moved and grabbed him in a rollup. Davis kicked out and Uno threw a big boot into a DDT.

Uno went for a facelock, but Davis got a forearm into his face. Uno hit a big boot and went up top. Uno went for a cannonball, but Davis got his knees up. Davis hit a massive lariat and made the pin to get the victory.

Match Result: Mark Davis defeated Evil Uno

Alex Windsor vs Nina Samuels

Samuels, a 12-time champion in various UK promotions was making her ROH debut here against fellow Englishperson, Windsor. No, not those Windsors. Though I would pay to see that.

After a cordial code of honor, Windsor threw some crumpets at Samuels and worked her into a hammerlock. She transitioned that into an arm stretch, but Samuels was able to wiggle around and throw a lariat at Windsor to break the hold.

Windsor came back with a series of armdrags into a dropkick, sending Samuels out of the ring. Windsor hit a blockbuster senton off the ring apron and threw Samuels back in. Samuels hit a high kick and started stomping Windsor.

Windsor fought back with some shots to the midsection, but Samuels kept control with a Bow and Arrow hold in the ropes, followed by a big dropkick. It only got her a one-count though, Windsor still had a lot left in the tank.

Windsor started throwing chops, sending Samuels to the corner. They ran the ropes until Windsor connected with a clothesline. She kipped up and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, but as we know, that cannot win anything, so Samuels kicked out.

Samuels hit a scissor kick, but could only get a two count. Frustration was showing as Samuels tried for a power bomb, but Windsor countered. Samuels threw a lariat to knock her off her feet. Windsor got back up with a head butt, but Samuels responded with a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker. A double clothesline left both lying.

Windsor hit a twisting suplex off the top rope, but Samuels kicked out. Windsor put on the Windsorlock and that was it as Samuels tapped out.

Match Result: Alex Windsor defeated Nina Samuels

Lee Johnson w/Blake Christian vs Lio Rush

It was great to see Lio Rush. Rush has always been a favourite of mine, but often ends up being his own worst enemy. Either way, he looked great here and Johnson was also there.

Johnson jumped Rush off the code of honor, sending him into the corner. Johnson charged, but Rush got the foot up. Johnson caught it and sent him into the other corner. The pace picked up as Johnson tried to get ahold of Rush. Instead, Rush kicked him in the face and sent him to the outside.

Christian got up on the mat which caused enough of a distraction for Johnson to get a sunset flip. Rush went for a Rush Hour cutter, but Johnson dodged it and went outside. Rush dove after him, connecting with two dives in front of the announce table.

Christian stared down Rush as he put Johnson back into the ring. That distracted Rush enough that Johnson could land a sidewalk slam. Johnson threw Rush into the corner and got a two count off of a tight cover.

Johnson threw some loud chops and Rush responded with some shots to the belly. Johnson threw Rush into the corner and Christian choked him while the ref couldn’t see. Johnson got Rush up for a power bomb, but Rush got out of it.

Rush dodged a flurry of strikes and turned a moonsault from Johnson into a satellite DDT. Rush landed a pair of cutters and a spinning kick, but Johnson kicked out at two. Rush went for a Rush hour and Johnson countered, screaming “I hate you!”

Rush landed a second Rush Hour, but Christian got involved causing a distraction. Johnson rolled up Rush and used the ropes as leverage to steal the 1-2-3.

Match Result: Lee Johnson defeated Lio Rush

After the match, Christian gabbed a mic and called out ROH Champion Bandido for not being at Global Wars UK. Christian claimed to have put Bandido on the shelf at Final Battle and issued an open challenge for anyone in the back who wants to get their arm snapped.

After a moment, things suddenly got real chill.

Blake Christian vs Angelico w/Serpentico

Yup, Angelico and Serpentico danced their way to the ring to answer the challenge and put Christian’s 12-match singles winning streak to the test.

Christian gave him the code of middle finger and the two locked up. Angelico had about a foot of height on Christian, but most of that was in his torso, which Christian tried to work. Angelico landed on his feet from a hip toss though and transitioned into a wristlock.

Christian chopped down the Angelico tree by chop blocking his leg. He then went for a strut, but Angelico was right back in it until Christian hit a headscissor and sent Angelico to the outside. Christian dove after him, but Angelico moved. Christian dropkicked him into the steel steps as a result.

Angelico stagged up and Christian hit a Swirl Screwdriver on him on the outside. Christian slammed Angelico shoulder-first on the ring apron (the swirliest part of the ring!) and dragged him back into the ring. Christian continued working the shoulder and slowed things down while Serpentico pounded on the mat, getting the crowd going.

Angelico hit a lariat, turning Christian inside out and the two traded shots in the middle of the ring. Angelico hit a back suplex, but could only get a two-count. Angelico went for a slam, but Christian countered and tried a Lethal Injection. He was off the mark and Angelico charged him, but Christian turned it into a spanish fly.

Christian went up top and hit a 450 splash. Off of that he got the Lethal Injection and Angelico was done.

Match Result: Blake Christian defeated Angelico

After the match, Christian tried to beat down Angelico, but Serpentico tried to make the save. Johnson was there though and he and Christian took out SAP.

Proving Ground Match: ROH Women’s Television Champion Red Velvet vs Session Moth Martina

It’s been five years since Martina was in ROH. It’s been five days since Velvet defended the championship (that may not be true, but sounds good).

The two ended up dancing for a bit after the bell rang until Velvet put a foot in Martina’s stomach. Martina responded with some more dancing and Velvet kicked her in the face about it. She thew Martina into the corner and began stomping her.

Velvet went for a cannonball, but Martina countered it with a kick and then thew a few more for good measure. Martina hit a shotgun dropkick from the second rope, but Velvet kicked out at two.

Martina went for a suplex, but Velvet blocked it. Martina hit an anarchist suplex, but could only get a two count on Velvet. Martina went up top, but Velvet was there and pulled her off the turnbuckle. Martina threw hands, but you don’t want to do that with Velvet, who used her boxing background to fight back.

Velvet hit some knees to the back of Martina’s head. She went to Stir It Up, but MArtina countered. Velvet didn’t let that bother her and hit a Mama’s Kitchen to put Martina down for good.

Match Result: Red Velvet defeated Session Moth Martina

Nigel McGuinness vs Wheeler Yuta

Wheeler (and his hair) issued an open challenge (while referring to the UK as a “dogsh*t country”), which was answered by McGuinness to a huge ovation. McGuinness grabbed a mic and told Yuta that he was mad that Yuta got to end Bryan Danielson’s career. So this would be McGuinness’ revenge for Yuta “killing the Batman to [McGuinness’] Joker.”

They tied up off the top, feeling each other out. McGuinness put on a wristlock, keeping Yuta pressed to the mat. Eventually, Yuta reversed it, but it didn’t last long as McGuiness put him back on the mat. The first five minutes of this match were nothing but wristlocks and it was awesome.

Yuta tried to get McGuinness, but he countered into a crossface. Yuta’s foot got to the ropes and the hold was broken. Yuta kicked the top rope into McGuinness’ throat and hit a knee for a two count.

Yuta put on a front facelock, but McGuinness flipped it over into an ankle lock attempt. Yuta got out of it, but not the shoulderbreaker that McGuinness hit next. Yuta tried to throw some chops, but McGuinness no-sold them and poked him in the eye.

McGuinness grapevined Yuta’s arm around his leg and stretched the other one around his back. Yuta wailed whilt his shoulders were stretched, but spun out of it to throw a quick elbow. McGuinness came back with the chops and a few European Uppercuts for good measure.

Yuta exploded out of the corner with a dropkick and put on a cattle mutilation. McGuinness flipped it over though and Yuta started driving elbows into McGuinness’ sternum. MgGuinness slowy got up and drove Yuta into the corner. He hit a high/low, but Yuta kicked out at two.

McGuinness went corner to corner with a European upper cut and set him up for a Tower of London. Yuta countered though and ran in for a knee, but McGuinness hit a lariat before he could connect. Yuta got in the ref’s face off of that.

McGuinness hit another shoulder breaker and put on a London Dungeon. Yuta found the ropes though and the hold was broken. Yuta put on a crossface of his own but McGuinness reversed it into another crossface. Again, Yuta’s foot found the ropes though.

Yuta tried a kick, but McGuinness caught it and threw a Big Time Lariat that spun Yuta inside out. McGuinness made the pin and sent everyone home happy.

Match Result: Nigel McGuinness defeated Wheeler Yuta

Unified title three-way added to AEW All Out, tournament revealed

The AEW Unified title will be on the line at this month’s All Out in Toronto with champion Kazuchika Okada needing to first defend his title in order to advance to the pay-per-view.

Announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite, there will be a six-man tournament over three matches that begins on Saturday’s Collision:

  • Kazuchika Okada defends against Michael Oku
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Anthony Bowens

The tournament then continues at next Wednesday’s September to Remember in London, Ontario, Canada, with the remaining match:

  • Mascara Dorada vs. The Beast Mortos

The winners of those three matches will compete for the Unified title in Toronto next Sunday.

Okada won the new title (a combo of the International and Continental championships) at July’s All In with his win over Kenny Omega. Takeshita is a former International Champion and a fellow Don Callis Family member while the other competitors have yet to win AEW singles gold.

Dorada is of CMLL fame while Oku will be making his AEW TV debut. The London, England, native wrestled in an August 2024 Dynamite dark match and was also part of the Forbidden Door pre-show last month.

Updated AEW All Out card | Toronto, Canada | Saturday, September 20

  • AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against Kyle Fletcher
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Riho
  • AEW Unified Championship three-way: competitors TBA
  • The Hurt Syndicate (Shelton Benjamin, MVP & Bobby Lashley) vs. Ricochet and the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
  • Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin in a coffin match
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Thekla, Jamie Hayter and Kris Statlander in a four-way
  • MJF vs. Mark Briscoe (stipulation to be determined)

AEW, NJPW & MLW wrestlers revealed for CMLL International Grand Prix

The field for next month’s CMLL International Grand Prix has been revealed and will include wrestlers from AEW, NJPW, MLW and RevPro.

Announced Wednesday night, the annual 20-man Torneo Cibernetico bout will feature ten CMLL stars vs. a team of ten representing the rest of the world.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey, Rocky Romero, CRU (Action Andretti & Lio Rush), and The Beast Mortos will represent AEW while Taiji Ishimori and TJP will represent NJPW. RevPro’s Michael Oku and Robbie Eagles will also be part of the team as will MLW Tag Team Champion Donovan Dijak.

Bailey will be making his Arena Mexico debut while Mortos and CRU have been on recent CMLL events. It will be Ishimori and Oku’s first match in the venue since June 2024 while Eagles hasn’t appeared there since 2022.

The all-star CMLL side will feature Mistico, Neon, Atlantis Jr., Mascara Dorada, Templario, Volador Jr., Titan, Difunto, Zandokan Jr. and Angel de Oro.

The show takes place on Friday, August 29th from Arena Mexico.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Michael Oku vs. Jay Lethal

After appearing at Supercard of Honor last Friday, UK standout Michael Oku returns for another Ring of Honor match on tonight’s HonorClub show.

Oku will take on former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal for the first time ever.

Former ROH TV Champion Atlantis Jr. will go one-on-one with Lee Johnson while another CMLL star — Hechicero — will battle Angelico.

Diamante will take on Maya World to round out the card from Garland, Texas.

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Without even a moment to breathe after Supercard of Honor, it’s time for the 125th episode of Ring of Honor on Honorclub! (ok, there were six days to breathe, but you get me.)

Atlantis Jr. vs Lee Johnson (w/Blake Christian)

Blake Christian debuted a stylish new haircut on the Supercard of Honor Zero Hour show, but it was Johnson who had a bad night, losing out on $50,000 in a four-way loss to AR Fox. Atlantis Jr. wasn’t on the Supercard, er, card, but he did pick up a win teaming with his Dad over SAP last week. Also, far superior coat to Johnson.

The two locked up and Johnson immediately started trying to shift the match of Atlantis, causing enough confusion to get a hammerlock on the luchadore. The speed picked up from there with Atlantis delivering a flying head scissor that sent Johnson out of the ring. Atlantis followed with a dive.

Back in the ring, Johnson couldn’t seem to get any momentum on his side until Christian interfered and laid out Atlantis with a very fast, very sneaky dropkick in the corner. That allowed Johnson to take control, trying multiple pinning attempts and settling on a head lock.

Atlantis battled back though, hitting Johnson with a high knee. Christian got up on the ring apron (the uppest part of the ring!) to try and cause a distraction but Atlantis saw it and dispatched he and Johnson, maintaining the upper hand.

Atlantis went up top for a frog splash, but Johnson dodged it and followed up with a Spiccoli driver. Johnson set up Atlantis for a powerbomb, but Atlantis reversed it into a German Suplex, which Johnson reversed into some clubbing strikes. Atlantis then hit a Mexican Destroyer followed by a Frog Splash to get the pin and the victory.

Match Result: Atlantis Jr. defeated Lee Johnson

Decent bout for the two, but I’m surprised by Johnson. He was once on fire in ROH, but las slowed down considerably. With such a thick tag division in ROH, I don’t know if sticking him with Christian is how to make either man stand out, but time will tell!

-Next, ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty cut a promo from backstage at Supercard. He promised that he would take the Pure title to the top and everyone better watch out.

Diamante vs Maya World

Diamante is on a bit of a roll in ROH, having returned from injury in March. She’s teamed with Athena in a winning tag match and beat Lady Frost on the Supercard Zero Hour preshow. Maya World’s last ROH match was almost exactly one full year ago, when she lost to Robyn Renegade. World is holding her own though as a QUADRUPLE champion, holding the DFW All-Pro Tag Team Championship (with Alejandra Quintanilla), the VIP Women’s Championship, the HOT Women’s Championship and the Inspire Pro Pure Prestige Championship. So no matter what happens here, she’s doing OK. 

World had a biut of a size advantage over Diamante, but anyone who’s ever seen Diamante in the ring knows that size means nothing to her. She started off bringing World to her knees with some hard clubbing strikes.

Diamante hit world with a flying head scissor and was in complete control early on. Diamante raked World’s face along the ropes and chopped her in the corner. World dodged the next one though and set Diamante up for a powerbomb. Diamante got out of it though and hit a Code Red. That was in for World and Diamante got the pin.

Match Result: Diamante defeated Maya World

Fun if not fast match. Diamante is a really mean wrestler and really fun to watch. I kinda wish she’d drop the gunshots from her music, but that’s just me.

-Next, the MxM Collection aired a commercial for their new scent, “Seed.” It was as gross as you can imagine.

-Then, Athena cut a promo about how she’s going to be AEW Women’s world champion. Cool. Following that, a retrospective of Dustin Rhodes’ time in AEW/ROH culminating with his TNT title win at All In. Rhodes was interviewed from All In and said that it meant everything to him and his family to win the TNT title in Texas.

Jay Lethal vs Michael Oku (w/Amira)

A delightful surprise of the Supercard of Honor Zero Hour pre show was Lethal taking on Blake Christian in a really fun bout. He lost that match, but he’s ready to take on someone else who lost at Supercard in Oku (who lost to Hechicero). 

The two locked up with Oku getting a headlock on first. From there, Oku’s speed was on full display as he flipped and wigged around Lethal. Lethal looked stunned as he stood up, clearly having underestimated Oku.

Lethal then offered Oku a free shot and Oku decked him. Lethal returned the shot, but clearly his punches were a little more devastating that Oku. Oku wasn’t done though and he laid another punch on Lethal that sparked a suplex from the bigger man.

Lethal set up a Lethal Injection, but Oku was able to get out of the way and planted a superkick on Lethal’s head that had him crumpling to the mat. Oku grabbed Lethal’s ankle, but took a little too long and Lethal got out of the way.

Lethal locked in a figure four and both men rolled all the way out of the ring, still in the hold. Both climbed up onto the ring apron and Oku back body dropped Lethal back to the floor. Oku in the ring got the crowd going and hit a big backflip onto Lethal on the outside.

Oku tossed Lethal back in and tried for a dropkick in the corner, but Lethal got out of it and leapt from the top ro[e with and elbow. Oku caught him and tried for a pin, but Lethal hit a series of cutters followed by a Lethal Injection to take the victory.

Match result: Jay Lethal defeated Michael Oku

I’ve grown to like this iteration of Jay Lethal a lot. The Lethal Injection is a great move and Lethal plays that veteran role really well, shaking hands with Oku after the match. Oku is a star waiting to break out and I’m hoping we see more of him in ROH.

-Next, footage was shown of The Frat House drinking. They lost to the Dark Order at Supercard and decided to find a bar in Texas (there are one or two apparently) because win or lose, they booze. (gross).

Hechicero (w/Rocky Romero) vs Angelico (w/Serpentico)

But enough about the bummer Frat House. You know who’s great? Hechicero. You know who else is great? Angelico. Only one of them beat Micheal Oku at Supercard of Honor though! You can find out which one here. No matter what, Angelico in a rare singles bout against a former CMLL World Champion is an excellent Main Event to kick off post-Supercard ROH. Also, Hechicero has called his shot against Bandido for the ROH World Title. I am very much looking forward to that.

Any way, Hechicero wanted no part of the code of honor and Angelico managed to avoid locking up with Hechicero off the top. Angelico did get a wrist lock on but Hechicero rolled through and into a hammer lock. Angelico got out of it via rope break.

The match progressed slowly, which was strange for Hechicero, but Angelico worked the timing, slithering in and out of holds and keeping up when the speed was taken up a notch. These guys both have similar styles, but were trained to use it in different ways.

Hechicero grabbed Angelico and hung him up on the ropes. That gave Romero a chance to get a shot in and Hechicero laid out Angelico in the corner. Hechicero ended up on the ring apron and Angelico charged, but Hechicero caught his foot and wracked the knee over the rope.

Serpentico began banging on the ring apron (the most serpentine part of the ring!) while Angelico staggerd to his feet. Hechicero was hit with a flurry of kicks and knees as Angelico wormed and dodged is way around Hechicero.

Angelico hit a jumping flatliner, but it only got a two count. He wrapped Hechiero’s legs up for a grapevine, but Romero caused a distraction and Hechicero used it to hit a spinning, spinning, spinning backbreaker, and get the 1-2-3 on Angelico.

Match Result: Hechicero defeated Angelico

After the match Romero and Hechicero started a beatdown of SAP, but before it could go on too long, Hologram appeared and cleared the ring to make the save.

Good match, Hechicero is a great heel. I was a little surprised at how loose Angelico was, but the introduction of Hologram was a great move. Hechicero is up next to face Bandido and seeing him heel it up against the champ will be awesome. Also, I am beginning to suspect that under that mask, Hechicero is actor Emilio Rivera. I could be wrong, but I hope I’m not.

Tony Khan on AEW All In ‘through the roof’ PPV buys, Adam Cole & Michael Oku updates

Regardless of what happens health-wise, Tony Khan wants to remain in the Adam Cole business.

The AEW & Ring of Honor head did a mini-media blitz with several Chicago-based media outlets ahead of his three-week residency at the city’s Aragon Ballroom, including the Good Karma Wrestling podcast and Case Lowe of Q101.

Here’s some of the key points from those talks:

Adam Cole update

Asked by GKW about Cole’s health situation, Khan said he disagreed with Cole saying in his All In promo that he let people down. Khan said if Cole could have been out there, he would have been. Khan said he made the call early Saturday morning after the Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor show wrapped and that is was “a hard conversation” but he was glad Cole was honest with him.

“Even though we are all sad we don’t get to see Adam Cole wrestle for a while, hopefully he will be able to return in some capacity. But definitely, he needs time off after talking to him,” Khan said.

AEW All In PPV buys update

In talking to Lowe, Khan said that for last Saturday’s All In pay-per-view, AEW experienced their “best week ever” on Amazon Prime in part due to the $10 Prime Video credit promotion they ran. At this point, he only has digital buys which he said were “through the roof” and expects both cable & satellite numbers to follow suit.

Of note, the AEW/Amazon relationship with PPV buys began with March’s Revolution followed by Triller no longer becoming a live PPV purchasing option for U.S. fans starting with May’s Double or Nothing.

On signing CMLL talent

Lowe asked Khan about the CMLL relationship and whether he feels he might need to sign CMLL wrestlers to more exclusive deals like WWE is doing with AAA.

Khan made it a point to say that he “would never go behind CMLL’s back and take a wrestler from them” and that if he did something, it would be in coordination with CMLL and more “collaborative.” He used his arrangement with Konosuke Takeshita as an example where AEW is his primary obligation but where he is able to compete in Japan with both NJPW and DDT.

The next AEW PPV in Chicago

On AEW returning to Chicago with a pay-per-view, Khan told Lowe that “it may be sooner than you think.” AEW has yet to announce locations for WrestleDream, Full Gear or Worlds End as of now.

Michael Oku’s future

The UK standout appeared on last weekend’s Supercard of Honor show against Hechicero with his match taped last week against Jay Lethal set to air soon. That came after he made his ROH promotional debut this past April in a loss to Nick Wayne.

Asked by GKW about Oku’s future with ROH or AEW, Khan said “We will have Michael Oku back very soon” before plugging next month’s Forbidden Door from London, England. AEW will be in Glasgow, Scotland, for the go-home editions of both Dynamite and Collision so Khan’s comment could be a nod toward him being part of the action that week.

Being more of a “play caller”

Khan talked with Lowe about the company’s creative resurgence in 2025, something he has attributed to him being more involved and taking less of a “committee of play callers” approach as he said he had done in 2020 and 2021.

Khan attributed the success to everyone working well together and him being “more hands-on as a play caller.” He said things have been very positive with “the greatest group of wrestlers in the world and the best fans.”

WOL: Hogan and Bischoff’s new venture, plus Michael Oku!

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez, Filthy Tom and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons to talk about as we cover HULK HOGAN AND ERIC BISCHOFF RETURNING TO WRESTLING!!!!!, NXT last night, and more, then Michael Oku joins us with a recap of WrestleMania weekend and more! A super fun show as always so check it out~!

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WOL: Michael Oku joins Bryan & Filthy, plus news!

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including WrestleMania, Smackdown, and new AEW title, all the news and more, then MICHAEL OKU joins us to talk SIX matches in 48 hours over WrestleMania weekend. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Michael Oku makes AEW in-ring debut in Dynamite dark match

Image: Jax Irvin

Amid rumors that he is going to sign a contract with AEW, reigning RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion Michael Oku made his promotional in-ring debut Wednesday in a dark match.

Oku, accompanied by girlfriend and manager Amira Blair, defeated Serpentico prior to the Dynamite/Collision doubleheader taping happening in Cardiff, Wales, ahead of Sunday’s All In: London from Wembley Stadium.

Oku is a friend and former opponent of AEW roster member Will Ospreay who takes on American/International Champion MJF this Sunday at the pay-per-view. Earlier this month, Oku was defeated by MJF at a RevPro event and Ospreay made a surprise appearance to run MJF off after he threatened to deliver a Tiger Driver 91 to Blair after laying out Oku.

Asked recently about the aforementioned rumors, Oku said nothing is confirmed between the two sides but he would be open to debuting at Wembley Stadium. He said it was cool that the rumors exist and that people believe it could happen, and that he would like to work for AEW.

For those inclined to follow the spoilers for tonight’s Dynamite and Saturday’s Collision, here’s our live thread.

Daily Update: Lex Luger, Goldberg, Michael Oku

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the stories in this issue:

  • Update on SummerSlam and All In, lineups, possible additions, things expected to happen, business notes on both shows, ticket sales and where they will stack up in the all-time historical records. We also look at the stories behind the matches.
  • London Mayor Sadiq Khan meets with Nick Khan and Paul Levesque regarding bringing WrestleMania to the city.
  • Notes on the first week of the G1 Climax tournament, stories, standings, business and quality of the matches.
  • Notes on week two of G1
  • Part one of our story on the life and career of Canadian star Leo Burke, a Stampede Hall of Famer and how he shaped the career of Bret Hart, and trained some of the biggest names in wrestling
  • Vince McMahon’s lawyers try and shut down a motion by Janel Grant’s lawyers
  • TNA Slammiversary, its biggest crowd in years and how it was done, PPV numbers update, and full show coverage
  • Coverage of Dragon Gate & DDT’s biggest shows of the year
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the major pro wrestling shows, placings, competition and segment-by-segment
  • What the CMLL current era compares to in Mexican history
  • A look at the big matches coming over the next month including AEW stars and World Grand Prix participants
  • Stardom PPV shows this weekend
  • 50th anniversary celebration
  • One of the top legends of this era pushing his farewell tour
  • Bloodsport notes
  • Next few weeks of TNA television
  • Update on AEW TV negotiations
  • Lots of AEW injuries
  • Tony Khan talks about strippaing titles vs. waiting for champions to recover
  • Darby Allin talks current scene
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Cung Le lawsuit update
  • Top ten male and female fighters of the 21st century
  • Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry and update on celebrity fights and how they are doing

This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded a six-minute clip of Joe Hendry’s concert from NXT Great American Bash. The full Roxanne Perez vs. Thea Hail NXT Women’s Championship match from last night is also available to watch.
  • During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take yesterday, CM Punk named Harley Race, Terry Funk, Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero, and Roddy Piper as his five favorite wrestlers. Punk originally included Ricky Steamboat on the list before realizing he forgot about Piper.
  • Chris Van Vliet asked Goldberg what the dynamic between him and Paul “Triple H” Levesque is like currently: “I haven’t talked to Triple H in a long time. You know, it was extremely rocky in the beginning. But I think we’re at a good place, man. I have nothing but respect for him. He’s turned an interesting situation into a very successful situation and very profitable and I’m proud of it. Good job.”
  • While appearing on Busted Open Radio today, Lex Luger said he’d love to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame: “Ohh, I’d love to be. Absolutely.”
  • Luger responded when asked why he thinks he isn’t in the Hall of Fame yet: “I’m very optimistic, and I just think they have a way of doing it that I don’t think any of us are totally aware of. A formula, timing, all that. So I’m very optimistic that eventually I’ll be in. I really, really am.”
  • Charlotte Flair shared footage of her training in the ring at the WWE Performance Center as she works her way back from ACL surgery.
  • The Miz was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Teal Piper remembered her father Roddy on the ninth anniversary of his passing: “9 years ago today we lost you. Feels like another life time ago. Not a day goes by you’re not on my mind. #riproddypiper”
  • Piper’s wife Kitty paid tribute to her late husband: “It does not seem possible that Roddy has been gone for 9 years now. I can still see his smile and hear his laughter. I hope you all enjoy a few pics I will post throughout the day of Roddy and that you can remember his smile and laugh when you think of him too.”
  • Michael Oku spoke to Cultaholic about his upcoming AEW American Championship match against MJF that will take place for RevPro in London on August 11:
    • Yeah, it’s a very, very wild time in professional wrestling. Everybody says that. I’ve been hearing people say that away from me. And now it’s come to me. I’m now part of the example of how wild wrestling is in 2024. Obviously, this is a huge, huge thing for me. You know, I’m challenging for the title, but what’s cool about this is the fact that it gets more eyes onto RevPro. There are a lot of people who will now be tuning in to see who I am, then in turn the rest of the RevPro roster and the rest of the matches.
    • What’s funny is that no matter what [MJF] says and he has said a lot, he said a lot in his promo and he does the whole thing of being confident and insulting the country, insulting me by calling me scrawny, what he can’t change is that factually, he challenged me. I didn’t put in some application form or try [to] message people like Tony Khan or Chris Jericho. I was just here putting full focus into the Copper Box. And he said ‘I want to wrestle Michael Oku.’ So no matter what he says in terms of insults, he can’t change that fact… I am sure I am going to shock the world once again.
  • Renee Paquette chatted with Matt Menard on the latest episode of Close Up.
  • Denise Salcedo interviewed Mariah May.
  • Sareee has suffered a fractured wrist but still intends to wrestle at Marigold’s show on August 19. She does not need surgery for the injury.
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that Go Shiozaki will miss their N-1 Victory tournament due to a fracture of the thoracic vertebrae.
  • In the Bahamas on December 7, Kurt Angle will serve as the referee for a celebrity boxing match between Real Housewives star Joe Giudice and actor/model Antonio Sabato Jr.

MJF to defend AEW American Championship vs. Michael Oku at RevPro event

MJF is a traveling champion.

The holder of the newly-renamed AEW American Championship has been announced as defending his title against Michael Oku at RevPro Summer Sizzler 2024 in London on August 11.

MJF appeared via video on today’s RevPro event in Coventry.

“Michael Oku. Will Ospreay, you earned his respect, which means you have my undying hatred. You are scum of the Earth, you are disgusting, you are scrawny, you are indy trash and you hail, let’s face it, from the worst country in the entire world, a third-world country, if we’re being honest.”

“I remember the Boston Tea Party,” he continued. “I remember what your people tried to do to mine but we fought back! And I’m ready to fight back, Michael Oku. I’m ready to take you out and prove a point that everybody from the UK, hell everybody from Europe, is a bum.”

MJF is also scheduled to defend his title against Templario in Arena Mexico for CMLL on August 2. Following that, he’s set to defend the belt, provided he’s still champion, against Will Ospreay on August 25 at AEW All In.

Oku had a Match of the Year candidate at RevPro’s event on February 18, 2024. He defeated Will Ospreay to retain his Undisputed British Heavyweight title in a match our own Dave Meltzer rated six stars.

Bryan & Vinny & Craig & Shawn Show: WrestleMania 37 with Sasha vs. Bianca, OSPREAY VS. OKU, plus Granny!

The Bryan & Vinny & Granny & Craig & Shawn Show is back with TONNNNNNNS to talk about including a very wacky Granny segment, as usual, her memoirs and Presidents report, a look back at PET ROCKS, and more, then the boys review the top matches from WrestleMania 37, including Sasha vs. Bianca, and THE BEST MATCH THIS YEAR, Michael Oku vs. Will Ospreay. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Radio: Steve McMichael, Oku vs. Ospreay, RAW with Mania and Chamber build

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including great Steve McMichael news, a major anniversary in Japanese wrestling history, Michael Oku vs. Will Ospreay, FantasticaMania, line-ups for the next few days, the RAW Report with a lot of build towards Chamber and Mania, and more. A packed show, so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: A big weekend ahead

2:54: Steve McMichael update

5:20: 70th anniversary of Rikidozan & Kimura vs. Sharpe Brothers, a question on which promoter would be the the best leader of their country

11:40: WWE’s house show in Fresno does big business

17:04: Dave’s thoughts on Will Ospreay vs. Michael Oku from RevPro High Stakes

28:36: Dave’s NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania thoughts

31:15: NXT & AEW Dynamite lineups

37:05: WWE Raw recap

1:01:18: Q&A question on Funks vs. Pirata Morgan and El Egipcio from AJPW, Dave’s thoughts on Friday’s WOR

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