Weekend Roundup: Braun Strowman Injury, Shanna, Del Rio Criminal Case Update, Impact had Positive COVID Case, Indies

WWE

• WWE filed a new trademark for “Austin 3:16” for merchandise-related purposes on November 24th to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
• John Morrison filed a new trademark for “Slamtown” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on November 23rd to the USPTO.
• During a recent episode of ‎The Hall of Fame with Booker T & Brad Gilmore podcast, Booker T revealed why all of the Legends who were brought to the ring for Undertaker’s Farewell ceremony at Survivor Series left before Vince McMahon’s in-ring speech. Booker T stated “We were just there to be there for that moment for Undertaker. That moment wasn’t for us, it was for him. It was his moment Anything that we would’ve said could’ve overshadowed what he said. The Undertaker was never a guy that was going to talk a whole lot. One thing you don’t want to do is give a bunch of old wrestlers a microphone. We would’ve been out there all night.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful)
• WWE reportedly recently held a tryout for Bronson Rechsteiner, son of Rick Steiner, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• The Wrestling Observer reported that the rumors of Braun Strowman suffering a knee injury at last weekend’s Survivor Series event are true. It was also reported that Strowman’s suspension storyline was also confirmed to be WWE writing him off of television for the time being while he recovers. The severity of his injury nor potential return date for Strowman was not stated.

AEW

• AEW recently announced that Shanna will be making her return to the company at this Tuesday’s episode AEW Dark. Shanna had been away from the company since the start of the coronavirus pandemic due to travel-related restrictions.
• AEW officials reportedly have increased the seating capacity at Daily’s Place for tapings and events to a new limit of 1,000 fans, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that as early Friday, AEW had around 156 tickets available for this Wednesday’s Winter is Coming themed episode of AEW Dynamite under the new capacity limit.
• Dave Meltzer also reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that NJPW is currently not expecting Jon Moxley to travel to Japan to defend his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom 15 event.
• Tyler Senerchia, the son of Taz, filed a new trademark for “Hook” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on November 20th to the USPTO.
• Taz filed a new trademark for “The Human Suplex Machine” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on November 22nd to the USPTO.
• Red Velvet filed a new trademark for “Red Velvet” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on November 22nd to the USPTO.

Other Wrestling

• Major League Wrestling announced that this Wednesday’s episode of MLW Fusion will be featuring an Opera Cup 2020 tournament Opening Round match of ACH vs. Laredo Kid.
• The sexual assault charges against Alberto Del Rio (also known as Alberto El Patron) reportedly were recently dropped by his accuser, according to Mas Lucha (English translation via Fightful). Del Rio was facing the possibility of life in prison had he been convicted on the serious charges of kidnapping and sexual assault from an alleged incident this past May in San Antonio, Texas.
• Former Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor talent Jimmy Rave announced on Twitter that he has retired from in-ring wrestling due to a recent infection on his left arm that required surgical amputation.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Lucha Libre AAA officials had considered plans to hold this year’s Triplemania XXVIII on December 19th. Those plans reportedly were dropped due to AAA officials not wanting to compete against a high profile boxing event featuring Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith taking place on the same night.
• Next year’s Fantastica Mania event, which is held jointly by NJPW and CMLL, is currently expected to not be taking place this January, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that NJPW recently released their events schedule for early 2021 and that event was not listed.
• All Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly is currently planning to launch a new women’s division called Evolution Girls within the near future, according to Tokyo Sports.
• Impact Wrestling reportedly had one talent test positive for COVID-19 during their recent set of television tapings in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer reported that the individual who tested positive is currently not known but some of Impact’s talent were told to get tested as a precaution while others were not informed. Meltzer also reported that the company has only been doing temperature checks for their talent and staff for shows. One wrestler spoken to stated that they felt the company has been irresponsible with their handling of the coronavirus pandemic due to them being the only notable major promotion who still does not perform actual COVID-19 testing.
• Fightful Select reported that Impact’s recent set of television tapings did not feature any talent whose contracts are expiring soon and had yet to sign new deals with the company. It was also reported that Impact had taped enough new episodes to last until January 12th and the lead up to their Hard to Kill 2021 event that weekend.
• Season 3 of Vice’s upcoming Dark Side of the Ring documentary series reportedly will not be featuring an episode based on Chyna due to a dispute over rights issues between the series producers and Chyna’s former manager, according to WrestlingInc.com.
• Penta El Zero M reportedly has recently opened a new wrestling school in Ecatepec, Mexico, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• The Rogers Centre, formerly known as the SkyDome, in Toronto, Canada reportedly is currently being planned to be demolished, according to The Globe & Mail. This venue is notable in wrestling history for being the host location of WWF’s WrestleMania VI event in 1990 and WrestleMania X8 in 2002.
• Ethan Page announced on Twitter that he has pulled all of his indie bookings for the remainder of this year due to him being in contact with someone who recently tested positive for the coronavirus.