Various: Impact Wrestling on Status of Fans Returning to Events, MLW Opera Cup 2020, Indies

Oct 7, 2020

Impact Wrestling’s Scott D’Amore Comments on Status of Return of Fans for Events

United Kingdom-based newspaper Metro held a recent interview with Impact Wrestling’s Co-Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore. One of the topics discussed included the company’s current status and plans for the return of fans for their events.

“As you can see, we’ve taken our own approach and been a little more conservative than the other companies. That’s not a knock or criticism on them. We just evaluated for ourselves. Right now, we are focusing on putting out the best possible product we can, as safely as possible. Like everybody else, we long for a day when our performers and events can be out in front of rabid fans both here domestically, and here in the UK and hopefully around the world. Until then, we’ll continue to take all the precautions that we think prudent to do our best.”

D’Amore also revealed that had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, the company had plans to tour the United Kingdom during this year.

“100%, getting back out with live events in front of the UK fans is a huge part of our continued growth. When we were over there in 2018, we knew we had to right the ship and then look to get out there. I think we’ve done a pretty good job with that. In an ideal world, we would have been looking at being in the UK in 2020.”

MLW Holding Opera Cup 2020 Tournament Later This Year

Major League Wrestling announced that they will be holding their next Opera Cup tournament later this year.

No official date was announced for this year’s tournament nor is it currently known if this tournament will be held as part of the company’s upcoming tapings in Florida later this month.

Official press release:

As league officials chart #TheRestart, MLW.com has learned the Opera Cup is confirmed to return this year.
Held annually for nearly 50 years at various turn-of-the-century opera house locations from New York City to Boston, the Professional Wrestling Opera House Cup was a grueling multi-day tournament.
The best of the day competed in the tournament and would often be an entree to more success, including the World Heavyweight Championship of the day.
After a 71 year hiatus, the Opera Cup returned in 2019. Soon thereafter, the league confirmed the “classic” would be an annual tournament hosted exclusively by MLW.
Inspired by the legends whose names are immortalized in plaques on the sides of the cup, including: George Hackenschmidt, Stu Hart, Leo Pardello, William Muldoon and Waldek Zbyszko, “the classic” has returned to reignite the spirit of the greats who preceded today and tomorrow’s greats.
Over the summer of 2019, Major League Wrestling entrusted the same craftsmen who have worked with the NHL on maintaining the Stanley Cup to complete the restoration process of the original cup in time for the return of the tournament.
The Professional Wrestling Opera Cup is dedicated to the great men who have fought valiantly before us to ensure our passion, professional wrestling be cemented and respected in the annals of time.
In order for the Opera Cup to take place, CONTRA Unit’s tight grip on key aspects of MLW’s operations would have to be addressed. A situation MLW is well aware of and remains optimistic it will resolve.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Ring of Honor recently released a video on their YouTube channel teasing the official debut of EC3 in the company within the near future.

The driver of a dump truck involved in the 2019 fatal hit-and-run accident involving indie wrestler Matt Travis reportedly plead guilty to the charges against him on September 4th, according to PWInsider. Mike Johnson reported that the court records indicated that the driver, Luc C. Vu, had his license revoked for six months, paid a $250 fine for failing to yield to a bicyclist, and will receive a conditional discharge in one year should he not get into any additional legal trouble.

Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment reportedly filed a motion to Tennessee Middle District Court on October 2nd requesting a new trial date for their on-going legal dispute against Anthem Entertainment regarding the legal status of GFW tapes and rights, according to PWInsider. The motion claims that they nor Anthem Entertainment will likely be able to reach a settlement following a previously court ruling of a mistrial and for the case to be settled privately between the two sides.

Scott Norton announced on Twitter that he recently underwent surgery for a total knee replacement.

Chris Jericho announced that Kurt Angle will be making an appearance for his upcoming Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea: Triple Whammy cruise event, which is currently scheduled to take place from October 21-25, 2021.