Various: NJPW Close to Signing New US TV Deal, Bryan Danielson on AEW Career, Indies

Oct 9, 2021

NJPW Reportedly Close to Signing New US TV Deal

New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly is very close to signing a new television deal for the United States, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that NJPW’s potential new television deal is not something he would classify as major in terms of status nor network home based on his sources close to the situation.

NJPW has been without a television deal in the U.S. since their departure from AXS TV in January 2020 over behind-the-scenes issues with AXS TV’s new owner Anthem Entertainment at the time.

Bryan Danielson Comments on AEW Career Being “Apex of His Career”

Delaware-based news website WDEL.com held a recent interview with Bryan Danielson. One of the topics discussed included Danielson’s thoughts on his current career in AEW.

“I was just ready for something new, that was one of the bigger reasons, plus I look at this as the apex of my wrestling career. I feel like I’m the best wrestler I can be, and I want to be able to wrestle as hard as I want to be able to wrestle. I believe AEW is the best place to do that, AEW is a very wrestling-centered product. My first match was against Kenny Omega, it was 30 minutes. You very rarely get the chance to do that in WWE. I love the AEW fans, and my experience has been incredible thus far …
The one thing that I think is really cool about AEW is that if you haven’t watched wrestling in a long time, or you’ve fallen away from it, I encourage you to check it out because AEW is modernizing professional wrestling. A lot of professional wrestling has been stuck in an older mindset, but I think younger fans are really being drawn to AEW because they’re modernizing. The world has changed so much in the 20 years since I started wrestling. The speed at which we expect things to happen has changed so much. AEW has taken those changes and put them into the wrestling. When you watch the 2-hours on Dynamite or the hour on Rampage, it flies by. It feels like such an incredible experience. You can see it because of the people in the building, it’s a different experience.”

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Former wrestler and legendary belt maker Reggie Parks passed away at the age of 87 this past Thursday. Parks’ career in wrestling spanned from 1955 to 1986 and included stints in WWF, WCW, Mid-Atlantic, and American Wrestling Association. Besides his in-ring career, Parks was also known for being a famed belt maker in the wrestling and MMA industry during the 1970s to 1990s. Among the famous belts designed by Parks include WWF’s iconic “Winged Eagle” Heavyweight Championship and classic Intercontinental Championship belts.

Bret Hart recently made wrestling history this Thursday by becoming the first professional wrestler ever to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, according to PWInsider.

Alberto El Patron, former Alberto Del Rio in WWE, reportedly recently filed a lawsuit against Combate Global, according to PWInsider. Mike Johnson reported that El Patron filed the lawsuit to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that Combate Global breached the terms of his contract. El Patron is claiming that the company still owes him $250,000 for his MMA fight against Tito Ortiz in December of 2019 and maintained control over his social media accounts despite the end of their working relationship. Besides the unpaid fight money, El Patron is also asking for around an additional $26,250 in interest, all of his legal fees to be paid by the company, the return of his social media accounts under his full control, and future monetary damages to be determined if needed at a later date. Johnson also reported that Cobate Global has yet to file an official response to the lawsuit but have provided documentation to the court regarding their legal representation in the case.

Former TNA and Impact Wrestling wrestler “Wildcat” Chris Harris reportedly was arrested this past Tuesday in Kenton County, Kentucky over a DUI incident, according to PWInsider. Mike Johnson reported that Harris was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and failure to produce an insurance card. Johnson reported that Harris was booked into jail this past Tuesday and released on bail this past Wednesday morning. Harris reportedly currently is scheduled to appear in court on November 2nd.

The Inspiration, former The IIconics in WWE, reportedly have recently signed a podcast deal with HurrDat Media, according to Fightful Select.

As noted before, former wrestler Superstar Billy Graham was recently hospitalized due to heart and lung-related health issues. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that Graham underwent medical tests this past week in Phoenix, Arizona to properly diagnosis and treat his current medical issues.