OVW
Thursday, September 3, 2020
OVW expands reach, assorted wrestling press, Interview with Renee, ROH streaming channel, Sapolsky moves on, NXT audience, more on MLW's TV future, Barrett commentary continues, journalist passes, Rock battles COVID, bonus Dark coming Friday, new All Out matches, and Questions on Orton's 2020, Otis' briefcase, The Fiend mask, Smackdown changes, and Thunderdome issues
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
NJPW title update, more on Payback booking, assorted wrestling press, MLW moves event, MLW tapings set, Dark lineup, Barrett-WWE update, EVOLVE alumni sign with NXT, top WWE contract expires, Interview with Jeff Hardy, Dynamite and GLOW praised by TV Guide, Mauro leaves WWE, All Out match added, new WWN brand, Rey injury note, Big Show Show not renewed, Clash of Champions main event, and Questions on Joseph Park, Otis' MITB feat, Kofi being ignored, WWE women verbiage, and Omega's AEW booking
NJPW will declare new IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions in a four-team tournament beginning September 5 and concluding September 11.
Bray Wyatt is considered the top babyface on Smackdown after the loss to Roman Reigns. I like that switch. Fans clearly prefer him to Roman at this point, and Roman feels really fresh in his new direction.
Atlas Security has donated more than $10,000 for animal shelters.
MLW has moved its October 3 Texas event to September 11, 2021 for obvious reasons.
MLW TV tapings are set for October, with content returning in November. Court Bauer spoke to Sports Illustrated about the move. That's certainly a positive for the group.
Paul Roma's wrestling promotion has been given a cease and desist letter due to local zoning law considering wrestling studios as adult entertainment. Parade Alley Pro Wrestling has been operating for five years.
Dark this week announced:
- Frankie Kazarian vs. Angelico
- Private Party vs. The Initiative
- Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy vs. Jon Cruz and David Ali
- Anna Jay vs. Red Velvet
- Allie vs. Cassandra Golden
- Abadon vs. Dani Jordyn
- Kip Sabian vs. Shawn Dean
- Billy and Austin Gunn vs. Donnie Janela and Ryan Rembrandy
- Santana and Ortiz vs. Faboo Andre and Ryzin
- Shawn Spears vs. Eddie Taurus
- Ricky Starks vs. Tony Donati
Wade Barrett is in talks with WWE to return as a full-time announcer, which could mean joining NXT UK in that role. There is no discussion of him signing a wrestling contract. WWE has been interested in using him in this role since early 2020. This could certainly be a good shift for both sides.
NXT has signed EVOLVE talents Anthony Greene, Brandi Lauren, Curt Stallion, Joe Gacy, and Josh Briggs, as well as EVOLVE referee Jake Clemons. These are the only names expected to be signed right now. I hope they all do well there.
Brock Lesnar's WWE contract has expired. WWE has removed all his merchandise while the two sides continue negotiations. That's really not a huge surprise, since WWE isn't likely to throw around his asking price while there are no crowds in the building. The only reason I would see to sign him before they intend to use him again is if he has a major offer elsewhere, but I would think they would be in a similar boat as far as not wanting to use him while there are no tickets being sold. I would be very surprised if this is the last we see of him in WWE, but I also could see him staying on the market until WrestleMania season.
Rey Mysterio has a best of collection on WWE Network.
Jeff Hardy spoke to Sport360 about being Intercontinental Champion and more. How many people 20 years ago would have called him still wrestling, much less holding gold, in 2020?
Dynamite and GLOW were in TV Guide's Top 100 Shows on TV. Very significant press for AEW. WWE should really pay attention to this and what it means for the company's rise.
- Tony Khan responded to the honor.
Mauro Ranallo has left WWE in order to focus on his family's health and charity endeavors. He will continue to do boxing and MMA work. I respect him for his advocacy, and wish him happiness going forward.
All Out has added Matt Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara in a Broken Rules match. This is under last man standing rules, and if Hardy loses, he pledges to leave AEW. I have a bad feeling either Matt will win or he'll lose and return as some other character. I guess the best bet is to hope Sammy shines in defeat.
Brandi Rhodes is on the Major Wrestling Figure podcast.
World Wrestling Network is launching Eddie Kingston's Grindhouse on September 26. This will be a new brand under that umbrella. I'm curious what will be unique in that group.
Rey Mysterio suffered a triceps injury at Payback. More on this in tomorrow's post. Obviously unfortunate timing given Dominik's rise and signing a new contract. I hope he's not on the mend too long.
The Big Show Show will not return for a second season. That's surprising! It felt like it was getting good press. We'll see what that means for his future.
Clash of Champions has announced Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. I'm guessing that means Keith Lee vs. Seth Rollins. That has potential.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Joseph Park was Abyss' brother (later revealed to be split personality) who was also a member of a family law firm (later revealed to be fictional). Joseph was naive to the world of wrestling in contrast to his sadistic brother. It was really well done as far as allowing him to show some great range as a performer. Probably one of my favorite Impact gimmicks, truly.
2. I like that Mandy idea! I was thinking a heel could hold her hostage in order to get the briefcase or get him to cash in. The Fiend would have worked for that. Corbin could, too, but I expect he'll end up challenging Roman and failing in a valiant effort.
3. They haven't retroactively declared he was never WWE Champion, but he's clearly back to where he was before KofiMania.
4. Not necessarily. It could just be wanting the match to be more serious.
5. I think the idea is for him to allow other projects to get the spotlight, as he can be a top-tier singles wrestler again down the line when Jericho and/or Moxley aren't around. They are seemingly telling a long story of him being overconfident as a top name leading to a number of high profile losses, and now being content to be a tag team guy, but can later break out again.
More wrestling tomorrow.
Rey injury update, assorted wrestling press, Interviews with Matt Hardy/Eva Marie/Finn/MJF/Arquette, WWE cancer donation, Raw audience, new WWE board member, more ROH competitors set, upcoming Network additions, Kimura tribute shirt, NXT and Impact previews, and Questions on Shane returning, hating Roman's return, PPVs on Impact+, and Vince on Timeline
Rey Mysterio will miss two months or longer due to a triceps injury, likely a partial tear. He is not expected to need surgery. I'm very interested to see how he and Dominik will navigate that time.
NJPW Strong this week will be Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
Matt Hardy spoke to Chris Van Vliet about leaving WWE and more. I see why Vince didn't want the Broken stuff on a show that's supposed to appeal beyond the diehard fans.
Eva Marie spoke to "TheWrap" wrestling preparing her for movies.
Shotzi Blackheart is on the latest Swerve City podcast.
Brock Lesnar's contract ending was covered by ESPN and New York Post. I would be shocked to see him do anything for anyone before the end of the year.
WWE has donated $900,000 for the V Foundation for Cancer Research in relation to Connor's Cure. Glad to see it.
Finn Balor promoted NXT with CBS Sports:
- WWE's travel schedule needed to be cut back. I hope they don't return to the 172 matches a year days.
- NXT has changed a LOT since his first run.
"Jabroni" has been added to Dictionary.com. That's a long time coming.
Raw's Thunderdome experience will be hosted by a WWE star. Probably someone like Riddick Moss who won't be doing much else.
MLW's Alexander Hammerstone has been cast in a JBL Speakers commercial.
Raw drew 1.90 million viewers this week. It will be very interesting to see if Thunderdome keeps them above where they were without it.
WWE has added Parkwood Entertainment's president and COO to its board of directors.
Finn Balor promoted NXT UK returning with Newsweek.
Triple H previewed NXT UK's BT Sport studio. They did the best they could with that small space, but it doesn't look like a brand owned by a company of WWE's size.
"Rumble" has added Charles Barkley to its voice cast.
ROH's Pure Championship tournament has added Fred Yehi, Delirious, and Silas Young. Another interesting mix.
WWE Network in September will add, among other content:
- WWE Timeline (four new episodes)
- WWE Day Of for Summerslam 2020 and Payback 2020
- WWE Chronicle with Matt Riddle
- WWE Untold with Edge and John Cena. This could be really good.
- WWE Velocity's first episodes on the service.
- Kurt Angle on Broken Skull Sessions. This could be amazing!
Hana Kimura's mother opened a Pro Wrestling Tees store with a memorial T-shirt.
Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling returns September 15.
MJF promoted All Out in New York Post:
- I'll give him this. He puts a lot into his role.
- It's great to hear of his backstage reputation.
- He continues to be put on a pedestal by people who want him to succeed. It's really "in a bubble," so I hope he can survive when he doesn't have that level of protection from friends and diehard fans.
David Arquette spoke to Sports Illustrated about his wrestling documentary.
NXT has announced:
- Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for the vacant NXT Championship
- Rhea Ripley vs. Mercedes Martinez in a cage match
Impact has announced:
- Motor City Machine Guns vs. Dez and Wentz for the tag team championship
- Chris Bey vs. TJP
- Locker Room Talk with Kylie Rae and Susie
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Owens is definitely staying away from Shane's domain, so maybe he's moved on. And yes I guess Raw Underground is unsanctioned.
2. If they are, they're naive to the wrestling business and how Vince operates and have no one but themselves to blame.
3. Honestly I think Chris Jericho can do just about anything he wants in AEW because he has far and away the most name value and prestige there. He put the company on the map more than anyone else and appears regularly when he could be retired or focusing on other things, so he gets a lot of leeway.
4. I believe they have PPV deals in place that would prevent that. PPV carriers for obvious reasons want to keep those shows on their platform rather than the wrestling companies streaming them independently.
5. Frankly I'd love to hear Vince go through his whole career in such a fashion but I don't see him doing that.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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