Various: AEW Double or Nothing & TV Tapings Update, NXT Japan Status Update, Indies

AEW Double or Nothing Update, TV Tapings Update

As noted before, All Elite Wrestling recently announced that this year’s Double or Nothing event will still be taking place on May 23rd but would no longer be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada due to the venue shutting down all operations until May 31st due to coronavirus-related issues.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Tony Khan is currently undecided if Double or Nothing or future closed set television tapings will be held in Florida. The state’s governor recently issued a new executive order that included national sports and wrestling events as an “essential service“, which opened the door for AEW to resume production of shows in the state.

Meltzer reported that Khan stated he is in no rush to make any official decision regarding the new location for Double or Nothing due to the company still having several weeks to go before the event takes place. Khan also reportedly feels that more venue options might be available by the time of the event.

It was also reported that AEW used around a third of their roster for last month’s television tapings in Florida and Georgia, which mostly comprised of talent from those two states, a few from Texas, and a few others who flew in and stayed. Meltzer reported that any decision regarding flying in top talent and certain other people likely will not be made until close to the date of Double or Nothing.

WWE’s Wave of Layoffs Expected to Also Impact Their NXT Japan Plans and Staff

As noted before, WWE released a significant amount of their talent and staff over the course of last week as part of the company’s cost cutting plans from the coronavirus.

Tokyo Sports recently reported that WWE’s layoffs likely will also extend to Japan and affect those working on the company’s NXT Japan plans. It was also reported that based on those spoken to, the current feeling is that the aftermath of WWE’s layoffs will likely make it difficult for the company to expand into Japan.

Tokyo Sports about NXT Japan: "The aftermath of the mass layoffs by WWE is likely to extend to Japan." The article quotes not further specified "people invovled": "It is likely that this will make it difficult for the company to expand to Japan." https://t.co/IWQOW5tkqi

— Eastern Lariat (@EasternLariat) April 17, 2020

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Ticketmaster and Stubhub reportedly have been dealing with issues regarding the refunding of ticket purchases for events affected by the coronavirus, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that Ticketmaster recently enacted a new policy of no longer allowing refunds unless the event is officially cancelled and the promoter agrees to the refund. Events that are postponed or rescheduled will no longer have refunds honored if promoters do not agree to issue refunds.

Kerry Morton, son of Ricky Morton from The Rock N’ Roll Express, reportedly is currently interested in starting a wrestling career within the near future, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Over The Top Wrestling announced that they have recently lost their training school due to a dispute with their landlord, who was stated to be unwilling to resolve the issues between the two sides.

Independent Wrestling TV announced that they have recently signed a partnership deal with Japanese women’s promotion Sendai Girls.

New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly have been paying their staff and talent their full salary and benefits during the on-going coronavirus pandemic in Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.