Various: AEW & NJPW Had Plans for MSG Events, Worlds Collide Notes, Indies

AEW and NJPW Reportedly had Plans to Hold Events This Year in MSG

All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly had plans to hold events at Madison Square Garden later this year, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s issue that AEW officials have been trying to get dates booked at the venue for some time and even had a November date penciled in at one point but have not been successful at the moment. Meltzer reported that the main issue is that MSG officials have soured on the idea hosting non-WWE wrestling events due to both Lucha Libre AAA and WWE’s struggles with ticket sales for their recent events at the venue.

Meltzer also reported that NJPW had been in talks with MSG officials last year regarding a potential event at the venue during this summer but those talks appear to have fallen apart. There have been recent rumors that WWE managed to sign an exclusivity deal with the venue in order to lock out other promotions from the historic and iconic location.

More on WWE Worlds Collide, Reason for NXT Cruiserweight Title Change

WWE reportedly generated an attendance of around 3,500 for their Worlds Collide event on January 25th at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s issue that the reason for Jordan Devlin’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship victory at the event was due to WWE officials wanting to boost NXT UK’s exposure and image to their television audience. Meltzer also reported that it was Shawn Michaels who pushed for Devlin to win the championship and the idea for him to defend the belt across all of WWE’s brands.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

The National Wrestling Alliance reportedly generated more pay-per-view buys for their Hard Times event on January 24th than their Into the Fire event on December 14th, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Josh Barnett announced that NXT UK’s Killer Kelly will be making an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling at their Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III event on April 2nd in Ybor City, Florida.

Ring of Honor announced two new matches for the card of their Past vs. Present event on March 14th in Las Vegas, Nevada:
– Generation Next (Alex Shelley & Matt Sydal) vs. Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon)
– Homicide vs. Brody King

ROH also officially confirmed that the Marty Scurll vs. Jay White match will be taking place at their Supercard of Honor XIV event on April 4th in Lakeland, Florida.