Various: Adam Cole on WWE’s Revamping of NXT Brand, Saturday’s NJPW Strong Card, Indies

Adam Cole Comments on WWE’s Revamping of Their NXT Brand

A recent episode of the Talk Is Jericho podcast had Adam Cole as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Cole’s thoughts on WWE’s recent changes and revamping of their NXT brand into the new NXT 2.0.

“This is all just me guessing. I think, for sure, (AEW beating NXT) played a part (in the rebrand). I also understand the thought process of…there were so many guys in NXT who were presented a certain way and then they’d go to Raw or SmackDown and it was a complete 180. I see the standpoint of, if I am Vince McMahon, him looking at NXT as this breeding ground for guys on Raw and SmackDown, he wants his hands in it a little bit more and he wants bigger guys. Not saying everyone is going to be big, but more guys who are geared to be ready to go for Raw and SmackDown. I understand that. When I was there at NXT, it was treated as a third brand. We got on television because of it, we had the big Survivor Series month, which was really cool. It was the more athletic pro wrestling storytelling and style. Them going back to this, certainly, AEW has to play a factor in my mind. It just has to. More important, I do think it’s so they don’t have to change a thing about guys when they are in NXT now.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Full Card for Saturday’s Episode of NJPW Strong

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced the full card for this Saturday’s Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2021 Night 3 themed episode of NJPW Strong, which airs on New Japan World starting at 8PM EST.

• Fred Yehi vs. JR Kratos
• Chris Dickinson vs. Royce Isaacs
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship – Lio Rush vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (c)

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

During a recent interview with Fightful, former MLW talent Salina De La Renta confirmed that she had been in talks with WWE earlier this year regarding a potential contract with the company.

Impact Wrestling announced that Renee Michelle is the next official entrant for their Knockouts Knockdown tournament at their upcoming Knockouts Knockdown event on October 9th.

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced that this year’s Nick Gage Invitational event, titled Nick Game Invitational 6, will be taking place on November 13th in Summit, Illinois.

GCW also announced that Mick Foley will be making an appearance for the company at their Fight Club event on October 9th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was announced that Foley will be presenting the GCW Championship prior to the start of the title match between Nick Gage and Jon Moxley at the event.

Josh Barnett recently announced that “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will be making an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling at their Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 7 event on October 22nd in Los Angeles, California.

Ring of Honor announced that they have recently signed Trish Adora to an official contract with the company.

Stardom talent Jungle Kyonga recently announced on Twitter that she has left the company as of today. (English translation via @farrahakase)

NJPW recently announced four new matches for the card of their New Japan Showdown themed NJPW Strong tapings on October 16-17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

• October 16th, NJPW Showdown Night 1 – Ren Narita & Clark Connors vs. Will Ospreay & TJP
• October 16th, NJPW Showdown Night 1 – Ariya Daivari vs. Alex Zayne
• October 17th, NJPW Showdown Night 2 – Ariya Daivari & Lio Rush vs. El Phantasmo & Chris Bey
• October 17th, NJPW Showdown Night 2 – Wheeler Yuta & Fred Yehi vs. Jay White & Hikuleo

Major League Wrestling announced a new match for the card of their Fightland 2021 event on October 2nd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

• 12-Man Survival Tag Team match – EJ Nduka, Savio Vega, Richard Holliday, Warhorse, Zenshi, & The Blue Meanie vs. Ikuro Kwon, King Mo, Gino Medina, Kevin Ku, KC Navarro, & Beastman