Tag: wrestle dynasty

CMLL wrestler qualifies for Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup finals

Posted on by Ethan Renner

CMLL’s representation in the International Women’s Cup finals at Wrestle Dynasty has been decided.

Persephone won a four-way qualifier on Friday night’s CMLL Arena Mexico show to advance to the four-way final at Wrestle Dynasty set for January 5, 2025 in the Tokyo Dome.

Persephone defeated Zeuxis, Reyna Isis, and Sanely in the CMLL qualifier on Friday to move on to the tournament finals.

She joins Ring of Honor’s Athena, plus the winner of the Willow Nightingale vs. Jamie Hayter match on tomorrow’s taped AEW Collision in the Wrestle Dynasty bout to crown the International Women’s Cup winner. The fourth and final participant will be decided by a tournament in Stardom, with the finals set for December 22.

The updated Wrestle Dynasty lineup is as follows:

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5 airing live on NJPW World) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if Sabre retains against Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if Umino wins the title at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • David Finlay vs. Brody King (will be an IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match if Finlay retains against Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Jack Perry (will be an IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match if Tsuji wins the title at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Great-O-Khan & TBD vs. The Young Bucks for the vacant IWGP Tag Team titles
  • International Women’s Cup four-way match (winner receives a title shot in the promotion of their choosing): Persephone vs. Athena vs. Willow Nightingale or Jamie Hayter vs. TBD (Stardom representative)
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (AEW International Championship will also be on the line if Takeshita still holds the title when he faces Takagi at Wrestle Kingdom)

Stardom announces tournament to determine International Women’s Cup entrant

Posted on by Josh Nason

With three wrestlers set to be confirmed for the International Women’s Cup at January 5th’s Wrestle Dynasty by the end of the weekend, Stardom has finally revealed how their representative will be chosen.

The promotion announced Friday that they will hold a 16-woman tournament done in four-ways that starts next weekend:

Friday, December 20th and Saturday, December 21st —

  • Hanan vs. Yuna Mizumori vs. Momo Watanabe vs. Saki Kashima
  • Syuri vs. Saya Iida vs. Fukigen Death vs. Ranna Yagami
  • Koguma vs. Waka Tsukiyama vs. Tomoka Inaba vs. Rina
  • Konami vs. Suzu Suzuki vs. Hina vs. Aya Sakura

The winners of those matches will then move on to a four-way final on Saturday, December 22nd with the winner of that match moving onto the Tokyo Dome on January 5th.

The four-way at Wrestle Dynasty will feature wrestlers from Stardom, CMLL, AEW and ROH.

Athena will represent ROH after winning a four-way Thursday while Willow Nightingale will take on Jamie Hayter Saturday on Collision to determine’s AEW representative. Zeuxis, Reyna Isis, Persephone and Sanely will wrestle at Arena Mexico Friday to determine CMLL’s entrant.

Athena qualifies for Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

ROH Women’s World Champion Athena is moving on to Tokyo for next month’s Wrestle Dynasty.

Athena survived a four-way qualifier on Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub to advance to the first-ever International Women’s Cup four-way at the January 5th event in the Tokyo Dome. It will also be her first-ever match in the country.

The end came when it looked like Leyla Hirsch was going to pin Red Velvet, but Billie Starkz jumped in to attempt to steal the pin. Athena saw an opportunity and then shoved Starkz out of the way to pin Velvet herself for the victory.

She is the first woman to qualify and will represent ROH. Willow Nightingale and Jamie Hayter will battle to be the AEW qualifier on Saturday’s Collision while Zeuxis, Reyna Isis, Persephone and Sanely will wrestle in their own four-way at Arena Mexico Friday. Stardom has yet to announce how their qualifier will work.

Ricochet: Japan has been ‘like a second home’ to me for a long time

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ricochet is looking forward to returning to Japan for Wrestle Dynasty.

The January 5 event is being held at the Tokyo Dome and will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Among the matches announced is Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet. If Sabre is still champion following his defense against Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom, the IWGP World Heavyweight title will be on the line.

Sabre vs. Ricochet was set up when Ricochet made a surprise appearance at NJPW Power Struggle in November. NJPW uploaded an interview today with Ricochet reflecting on that moment and looking ahead to his return at Wrestle Dynasty.

“Just to be back in a New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestling ring, it felt great. To hear the fans when they saw me jump into the ring was awesome too. Just in general, to be back here in New Japan is awesome,” Ricochet said.

“Japan has been like a second home to me for a long, long time, and New Japan’s always been one of the biggest and best promotions out there. And it’s just so good to finally be back and to finally do what I love — and to hear the people be so excited and hear the people enjoy that I’m back was awesome. So it just felt good, man. There’s nothing like being in that New Japan Pro Wrestling ring. Nothing like it.”

Ricochet spent much of his formative years in pro wrestling competing in Japan for Dragon Gate. He later joined NJPW, last competing for the promotion in 2017. Ricochet is now with AEW following his departure from WWE. He has a 1-1 record in the ongoing AEW Continental Classic tournament.

In October of this year, Ricochet did return to Japan for a tag team match in GLEAT alongside his mentor CIMA. They defeated El Hijo del Vikingo & Soma Watanabe.

NJPW’s interview with Ricochet can be seen below:

NJPW to crown new IWGP Tag Team Champions at Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed its plan to crown new IWGP Tag Team Champions.

Great-O-Khan & HENARE were scheduled to defend the titles against The Young Bucks at Wrestle Dynasty, but the belts have officially been declared vacant after HENARE sustained a knee injury. Now, it will be O-Khan and a partner of his choosing facing The Young Bucks at the January 5 event to determine new champions.

The injury to HENARE happened near the end of World Tag League. He and O-Khan were still in contention to win B Block at the time but had to withdraw from the tournament.

Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi went on to win World Tag League. While the winners usually get an IWGP Tag Team title shot, Naito & Hiromu are not sure if they’ll ever challenge for the titles.

Wrestle Dynasty is set to include talent from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. It will be the first time The Young Bucks have wrestled in Japan since 2019.

NJPW has also confirmed that the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship will be on the line at Wrestle Dynasty. Zack Sabre Jr. and David Finlay are the current champions but have title defenses at Wrestle Kingdom 19, which is taking place from the Tokyo Dome one day before Wrestle Dynasty.

Here’s the updated Wrestle Dynasty card:

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5 airing live on NJPW World) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if Sabre retains against Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli (will be an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match if Umino wins the title at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • David Finlay vs. Brody King (will be an IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match if Finlay retains against Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Yota Tsuji vs. Jack Perry (will be an IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match if Tsuji wins the title at Wrestle Kingdom)
  • Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Great-O-Khan & TBD vs. The Young Bucks for the vacant IWGP Tag Team titles
  • International Women’s Cup four-way match (winner receives a title shot in the promotion of their choosing)
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (AEW International Championship will also be on the line if Takeshita still holds the title when he faces Takagi at Wrestle Kingdom)

Brody King answering Wrestle Dynasty open challenge

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Brody King is coming to the Tokyo Dome on January 5 for a match against David Finlay.

At NJPW’s World Tag League show on Thursday, a video aired where King announced that he is answering Finlay’s Wrestle Dynasty open challenge. The House of Black member issued a warning to Finlay and the Bullet Club War Dogs.

“You have cemented yourself as one of the most dangerous men in New Japan Pro Wrestling. From the carcass, you took the discarded pieces and you built a dynasty,” King said. “On January 5, at Wrestle Dynasty, I will take your dynasty and turn it back into a carcass. David Finlay, your War Dogs are all bark. This dog bites.”

Finlay is defending his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. Last month, he issued an open invitation for Wrestle Dynasty — challenging anyone from any promotion to face him. Finlay said he would retain against Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom and then needed a challenger for January 5.

In AEW, King is participating in the Continental Classic and has a 1-1 record in his first Gold League matches. He’s defeated Darby Allin and lost to Claudio Castagnoli.

Wrestle Dynasty is set to include competitors from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Among the matches already set are Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet, Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd, and an IWGP Tag Team title bout between Great-O-Khan & HENARE and The Young Bucks.

Jamie Hayter advances in AEW bracket of International Women’s Cup

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Jamie Hayter is one step closer to advancing to the International Women’s Cup at January 5th’s Wrestle Dynasty in Tokyo, Japan.

On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Hayter defeated Queen Aminata in the first match of the AEW portion of the bracket. She awaits the winner of the Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb match on Saturday’s Collision with the finals taking place on the Winter is Coming edition of Collision that will air on Saturday, December 14th.

The AEW bracket winner will advance to a four-way on January 5th that will also feature wrestlers from Ring of Honor, CMLL, and Stardom who are holding separate qualifiers. The overall winner will earn a future title shot in any of the four promotions she chooses.

The ROH winner will be determined in a four-way on a date to be announced between ROH Women’s Champion Athena, ROH Women’s Television Champion Red Velvet, Billie Starkz, and Leyla Hirsch.

The CMLL winner will be determined in a four-way on Friday, December 13th between Zeuxis, Reyna Isis, Persephone and Sanely, while the Stardom participants and format have yet to be announced.

Daily Update: Paul Heyman, Wrestle Dynasty, MLW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • The full Fallon Henley vs. Tatum Paxley NXT Women’s North American Championship match from last night can be watched here.
  • Paul Heyman told CBS Sports that he thinks CM Punk is a far more compelling character now than he was 12 years ago:
    • If you had told me that in 2012 that 12 years later CM Punk would be a far more fascinating character than he is now at the height of his rebellious status, I’d say that’s just not in the cards for him. And yet I look at what he did with [Drew] McIntyre and realize that he’s so much more interesting now. He has a deeper connection with the audience now, which I never imagined would have been possible.
    • You realize that rebels age out and once they do, they can no longer be the embodiment of the disruption that progresses against the establishment. And yet he is now the older rebel with a little more wisdom behind him and a little more tact involved and he’s that much more compelling version of a character and persona — let alone his ability to portray it — than ever before.
  • During an appearance on Gutfeld on Fox News, The Undertaker said he still loves Dave Bautista and Mick Foley despite the political differences he has with them:
    • So that it is perfectly clear, I don’t have any angst toward Dave Bautista. I mean, he’s still – I haven’t seen him, but he’s still a good friend of mine and somebody that, if I saw him, I would give him a big hug. Mick Foley, too.
    • I don’t care what your politics are. You’re wrong, but I still love you. And I’m going to say hello and I’m going to give you a hug whether you want it or not when I see you. I think people – if they would adopt that a little bit more and not get so much vitriol and so much hate over politics. It’s just ridiculous.
  • WWE is promoting Elimination Chamber 2025 with the selling point that it will be John Cena’s last time ever competing in Toronto. Rogers Centre is hosting the PLE on Saturday, March 1.
  • Chelsea Green celebrated reaching one million followers on Instagram.
  • Grayson Waller made an appearance on Going Ringside.
  • WWE wrestlers named their dream Survivor Series teams.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • The Young Bucks challenging for the IWGP Tag Team titles at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5 has now been officially confirmed by NJPW. The belts are currently held by Great-O-Khan & HENARE.
  • Case Lowe of Q101 has an interview with Ricochet.
  • Thunder Rosa was the guest on a new episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • Wrestle Radio Australia has a conversation with Kyle Fletcher.
  • Bill Apter interviewed Orange Cassidy for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge.
  • Eric Bischoff spoke to TV Insider about his role overseeing MLW’s One-Shot event in New York City on Thursday, December 5:
    • As far as creativity and my fingerprints on the show, I’m thinking more of the production than storylines. Let’s be real, I’m not fluent in the backstory and talent and everything that has been going on in MLW. That will become important and clearly, Court [Bauer] and his team have a handle on that. What I want to do is whatever stories they have in place already, I’m focused on telling that story. What could I do from a production standpoint? For example, the way we treat the backstage interviews or the way we thread the story throughout the show. The way we build anticipation for the main event. Whatever is fundamental in professional wrestling but often times overlooked. Everyone is focused on the finish, the big spot in the match or the in-ring promo. All things that deserve attention, but in the process on focusing on the big things, producers have a tendency to lose sight of the little things that make the show flow and creates emotion and hold viewers’ interest, and surprise them. 
  • Bischoff addressed whether he could see himself working for MLW if the show goes well:
    • It’s a good question and fair question, but I’m trying not to think about it because I just want to see how much fun I have. It’s not just me having fun. If Court and his team don’t enjoy it, just slug through it. I don’t want to do that. Or I feel that way, I don’t. The door is open certainly. I got bills. I got a life. I get bored in the middle of nowhere Wyoming occasionally and like to throw myself into something to put pressure on myself with something that challenges me. 
    • It’s not a test. My only expectation is to have a great time and make sure the audience has fun. Make sure the talent I work with walks away with maybe saying, ‘I’ve heard all these terrible things about him. He is not such a bad guy.’ Better yet, maybe they say they learned something from this experience. That’s the fun of it. Directing talent and getting more out of them than they thought they could give that’s the home run. In addition to collaboration, that’s the part I miss.
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher and Ava Everett vs. Delmi Exo have been added to the TV taping portion of the One-Shot event.
  • TNA Wrestling produced an Immersed documentary on the Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich rivalry.
  • TNA announced that they have launched a Spanish-language YouTube channel.
  • Homicide and Maki Itoh are among the talent set for GCW’s show at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, January 19.

The Young Bucks to challenge for IWGP Tag Team titles at Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Young Bucks are coming after tag team gold in their return to NJPW.

At Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson will wrestle in Japan for the first time in six years. It’s a collaborative show featuring wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. We now have a better idea of what The Young Bucks will be doing at the event. NJPW shared a promo from Matthew & Nicholas on Tuesday stating that they want the IWGP Tag Team titles.

“There’s one thing that Matthew & Nicholas need to accomplish before we retire — and that’s get the IWGP Heavyweight [Tag Team] titles back around our waist one more time,” Nicholas said.

“Tokyo, your rich God-fearing uncles are coming back,” Matthew added. “See you soon.”

After the promo aired at today’s NJPW World Tag League show, Great-O-Khan & HENARE — the current IWGP Tag Team Champions — declared that they are ready to take on The Young Bucks.

Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty are being held at the Tokyo Dome on back-to-back days on January 4 and 5. If O-Khan & HENARE don’t win World Tag League, the winning team will be in line for a shot at their titles.

The Young Bucks were one-time IWGP Tag Team Champions and seven-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions during their time competing for NJPW. In AEW, they are three-time tag champs — recently dropping the belts to Private Party. They have been taking some time off from AEW since that match with Nicholas recovering from a separated shoulder.

The in-ring return of Kenny Omega is among the matches that have been made official for Wrestle Dynasty with him set to face off against Gabe Kidd.

CMLL reveals International Women’s Cup qualifier competitors

Posted on by Ethan Renner

CMLL has revealed the four competitors that will battle to represent the promotion in the International Women’s Cup four-way at Wrestle Dynasty.

In an announcement Wednesday, CMLL tabbed Zeuxis, Reyna Isis, Persephone, and Sanely as the four wrestlers set for the qualifying match to be held on Friday, December 13 at Arena Mexico on the traditional Friday night CMLL show. The winner of that match will advance to Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome on January 5, 2025.

CMLL, AEW, Stardom, and Ring of Honor will hold qualifying four-ways ahead of Wrestle Dynasty with the winners advancing to the International Women’s Cup four-way at the Tokyo Dome. The International Women’s Cup winner will earn a shot at a title of their choice.

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  • Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (will be a double title match with the AEW International Championship also on the line if Takeshita is still champion going into Wrestle Kingdom 19)
  • International Women’s Cup four-way

International Women’s Cup four-way announced for Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A new match is set for the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, 2025.

NJPW has announced a four-way match for the newly-devised International Women’s Cup for the Tokyo Dome event set for January 5, with the winner eligible to challenge for the title of their choice.

AEW, Ring of Honor, Stardom, and CMLL will have qualifying four-way matches between now and Wrestle Dynasty to decide their promotion’s representative in the four-way match at the Dome.

Wrestle Dynasty is the second of consecutive Tokyo Dome shows, with NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19 to take place on Saturday, January 4 as is tradition. Zack Sabre Jr. defending the IWGP World Heavyweight title against Shota Umino will headline that event.

The current Wrestle Dynasty card:

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  • Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (will be a double title match with the AEW International Championship also on the line if Takeshita is still champion going into Wrestle Kingdom 19)
  • International Women’s Cup four-way

Big Audio Nightmare: Road to the Tokyo Dome, preview of Historic X-Over II, tag league talk

Posted on by Adam Summers

The Big Audio Nightmare is back as myself and Mike Sempervive talk about everything happening in the very busy world of Japanese wrestling.

This week’s topics include:

  • A look at the build to both Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty thus far
  • Shota Umino’s underwhelming road to the Tokyo Dome main event
  • Thoughts on Kenny Omega making his return to NJPW before AEW
  • A full preview of NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over II
  • Why the Stardom and AJPW tag leagues are worth more of your time than NJPW’s will be…and more!

Click here to listen (sub required)

Two new matches official for Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two new additions to the Wrestle Dynasty card have now been made official.

Taking place the day after Wrestle Kingdom 19, Wrestle Dynasty is being held at the Tokyo Dome on January 5. It’s airing on NJPW World and will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH.

Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji is now official for the event. It was set up when AEW wrestler Perry showed up and attacked Tsuji at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed last Friday.

It’s also been announced that, in a potential double title match, Tomohiro Ishii will face either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Dynasty. Takagi is defending his NEVER Openweight Championship against Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom. If Takeshita is still AEW International Champion, that title will be on the line as well. The winner will then defend against Ishii at Wrestle Dynasty.

The updated Wrestle Dynasty card is listed below:

Wrestle Dynasty (Sunday, January 5) —

  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
  • Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Tomohiro Ishii challenges either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship (will be a double title match with the AEW International Championship also on the line if Takeshita is still champion going into Wrestle Kingdom 19)

Jack Perry issues challenge to Yota Tsuji for NJPW Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jack Perry has issued a challenge for Wrestle Dynasty.

After his match at Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Yota Tsuji was leaving the ring when the lights went out. A video played showing someone putting a knife to a picture of Tsuji. When the lights came back on, Perry attacked Tsuji and threw him back into the ring, laying him out with a running knee. He then officially challenged Tsuji for Wrestle Dynasty.

During his suspension from AEW last year, Perry worked shows both in America and in Japan for NJPW, joining the House of Torture stable. Upon his return to AEW, he quickly aligned himself as part of a new Elite stable with himself, The Young Bucks, and Kazuchika Okada. He won the TNT Championship back at Forbidden Door, winning a ladder match.

During Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Jon Moxley appeared via video to send a message to Shota Umino, declaring that he would send an ‘emissary’ to the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Dynasty.

Fight Game: The return of the AEW vs. NXT Wednesday Night War

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going through our Top Five topics which included:

  • The return of the AEW vs. NXT Wednesday Night War
  • WWE Crown Jewel Report Card
  • WON Hall of Fame talk
  • WWE cuts
  • The upcoming Wrestle Dynasty match between ZSJ and Ricochet

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

(We are doing a Fight Game Media WON HOF livestream on Saturday on the Fight Game Media YouTube channel.)