Various: Backstage Reactions to AEW & Impact Partnership, Friday’s NJPW Strong Card, Indies

Backstage Reactions to AEW & Impact Wrestling Partnership

As noted before, this past Tuesday’s episode of Impact Wrestling’s Impact! featured an appearance from current AEW World Champion Kenny Omega. This appearance was made following the surprise revelation of an on-screen working relationship between Impact’s co-Executive Vice President Don Callis and Omega on the December 2nd “Winter is Coming” themed episode of AEW Dynamite.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that within Impact Wrestling, some talent had heard news of a partnership formed between the company and AEW but were told by Impact management that there wasn’t much to it at Impact’s recent set of television tapings.

Within AEW, several talent reportedly were aware that Don Callis would be making an appearance on the December 2nd episode of Dynamite to work an angle but were unaware of the extent of the plans by AEW officials for him.

Sapp reported that almost everyone spoken to does not expect for this partnership to result in a “full crossover” but Impact talent were happy about the public buzz given to their show.

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Full Card for Friday’s Episode of NJPW Strong

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced the full card for tonight’s Night 1 of Detonation themed episode of NJPW Strong, which airs on New Japan World starting at 10PM EST.

• The DKC & Clark Connors vs. The Regiel Twins (Sterling & Logan Regiel)
• Misterioso, David Finlay, & Juice Robinson vs. Bullet Club (Hikuleo, Chase Owens, & Tanga Loa)
• ACH vs. Tama Tonga
• Karl Fredericks vs. Jay White

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

During a recent episode of The Ryback Show podcast with Heath as the guest, Heath revealed that he actually suffered a groin injury and not a hernia at Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory 2020 event this past October. Heath also stated that he is currently expected to make his return to Impact in January 2021.

EC3 is currently rumored to be making his return to Impact Wrestling in early 2021, according to Fightful Select (via WrestleTalk). It was reported that Impact is currently interested in signing EC3 to a long-term deal once his contract with Ring of Honor expires.

Ring of Honor announced that the first hour of their upcoming Final Battle 2020 event on December 18th will air for free on HonorClub, Best on the Planet, STIRR City, and ROH’s Facebook and YouTube accounts. This free hour was also announced to feature the #1 Contender’s match for the ROH Television Championship.

Stardom announced that AZM recently suffered a thumb injury and as a result, she has been pulled from the cards of their December 13th and December 16th shows in Japan.

Major League Wrestling announced a new match for the card of their Kings of Colosseum television special of MLW Fusion on January 6th:

• MLW World Middleweight Championship – Lio Rush vs. Myron Reed (c)