Various: AQA Stepping Away from Wrestling, Michael Elgin Update, Indies

AEW

Jul 19, 2022

AQA Announces Indefinite Break from Wrestling

AQA recently announced that she is taking an indefinite break from wrestling due to mental and physical health-related reasons.

“I want to take this time to say thank you to anyone who has ever cheered for me, supported me, bought merch, had me on your podcast or write an article about me. Those who sent loving messages, made fan art, gave me a hug during a meet & greet, or a high-five on my way to and from the ring. Promoters who booked me, opponents that stood across from me, and my trainers for teaching me everything I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without all of you.
At this time, I have decided to step away from professional wrestling for the immediate future. For the past few years, both mentally and physically, I have not been in a great place with wrestling, and silly me, I kept pushing through because I didn’t want to be seen as weak, but it only sucked the fun out of every opportunity I had. I hope during this time I’ll be able to reflect deeply and see what path is best for me.
Thank you AEW for granting me this time.
Until I see you all again, much love.

With love, thank you. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/2Cfrv78PhC
— A.Q.A 😈 (@AQAOfficial10) July 18, 2022

AQA previously worked for WWE from February 2021 to November 2021 under the ring name of Zayda Ramier and had been signed with AEW since this past February.

Michael Elgin Status Update

As noted before, indies wrestler Michael Elgin was pulled from two of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s events last week in Japan due to an alleged arrest over a theft incident in Japan. Elgin has denied the rumors and reports of him being arrested being true nor was the reason for his recent absence from NOAH.

Elgin recently provided an update on Facebook stating that the reason he left Japan was due to his work visa had recently and was not due to him being arrested for stealing protein powder.

I’ve made it to Atlanta on layover, then off to St. Louis and tomorrow after seeing jax I’ll be headed to Canada to spend time with my family after the passing of my aunt Jackie.
Unfortunately false news has hit Facebook, and I’ve seen friends post it. I’ve been asked to keep details minimum but I must clear some things up. I’m sure someone will send this to Twitter, which is great. Because that platform will refuse to listen to reason. So here it is.
First, I was not charged with anything. I DID not steal fucking protein.
Let’s start with the protein claim, how can anyone read this and actually believe it’s true? 1. When I travel to japan, I pack 1 large bags with all my supplements, and workout gear. I always travel with (long tours) Knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, wrist wraps and my MAG Grip mid width pulldown bar.
If I were to run out of protein, NOAH had protein in the dojo for use after our workouts. So here it is -NO I did not steal protein or anything of that sorts.
Now people have said I was arrested, and detained and could be facing 5 years in prison, unless a deal was made.
Well, and this is not a shot at the wrestler who got caught with cannibis in japan. But the way the system works there is
If you are arrested of a crime, they keep you from 10-30 days just to investigate the issue.
Following the investigation if found guilty, you will be detained for another 2 months awaiting a trial where a deal can be made.
It’s not news, but the prior mentioned wrestler was detained for 3 months. I am posting this from the United States.
I was not deported, I was not banned from the country and I took my originally booked flight of today since my work visa was only valid for 3 months, I arrived in Japan in April. DO THE MATH.
Now, I was indeed questioned about an issue. This did make me unable to let NOAH know I could not appear on 7/9 and 7/10 events. The policy in japan is they take eveything and do not let you contact anyone unless asking for a lawyer. You do not get a phone call, you do not get any of your belongings.
I was asked and answered about an issue, they then looked into it and I was told I was free to go. I then reached out to NOAH but unfortunately the fact I missed 2 shows and didn’t contact them was completely on me and I understand why I was also removed from the 16th.
NOAH officials talked with me, I myself and the police officer explained the reason I was question, as well as the fact that I did nothing wrong. But the damage of missing shows was already done.
I do not hold this against NOAH, I do not hold this against the police of japan. But the system of these matters for sure needs some work. If I had of committed any crime, I would of been detained at minimum 10 days, and as long as 30 if there was any merit to investigate.
If I had been guilty of any offense, I would of then been held for 2 months awaiting a trial.
After this, the news of my Aunt passing happened and I broke down and was in a bad spot mentally.
But now, all this “confirmed” stories circulate and all it does is harm my mental state more. No one asked me what happened prior to reporting.
If they even took the time to look into how things happen in Japan, they would realize I would still be in japan in a cell somewhere had I committed any crime.
So no, I did not steal protein, I did not steal anything. I was not deported and I was not banned from Japan.
I respect very little in this world more than the country and culture of Japan. I would do nothing to disrespect that country, or to harm my ability to be in that country.
I hate to even have to explain myself, but the fact that people can “confirm” a story which is false shows how mismanaged the wrestling media is. I also know this information came from a foreign talent not the Japanese people. Now, I could say their name I could hold a grudge. But it’s no longer worth it, I’ve let wrestling control my inner piece for far too long. They will never listen to reason or take the time to actually do some research into actual happenings.
Not only that, a simple look into how the criminal/legal system works over there (it is highly scrutinized by almost all other countries) they would see that fact that I can make this statement or any statement publicly in under 10 days shows their information is indeed false.
Again to finish, I do not fault NOAH for taking me off the 16th, I also do not hold any Ill will in regards to japan. I do wish there was a better way for them to handle such a situation when someone has not done anything wrong.
Wanted to add, I’m at the point in life where if I walked in water, people would say because I couldn’t swim.

In a follow up statement, Elgin stated that he is currently considering legal action against those who question his statements or reported otherwise. Elgin stated:

“For the people who question what I’ve said happened while in Japan, well it may be answered in a formal legal way. Which also helps me further. Aunt Jackie helped out her favorite nephew 1 more time I think.”

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

WWE’s Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins reportedly will be the guest WWE talents appearing on the second episode of WWE x G4 Arena series on G4 later this month, according to PWInsider.

Impact Wrestling recently announced that they will be holding a new event called Over Drive on August 18th and a new set of Impact TV tapings called Kentucky Chaos on August 19th in Louisville, Kentucky. In regards to the upcoming Over Drive event, it was announced that this will be an Impact Plus special.

Cindy Heenan, wife of the late WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan, reportedly passed away this past Monday, according to legendary wrestling announcer Mike Tenay.

This past Sunday’s The World Is Yours Night 2 event for DEFY Wrestling featured Christopher Daniels and Swerve Strickland defeating The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv & Harv Sihra) to be crowned the new DEFY Tag Team Champions.

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that they will be holding a NJPW Strong themed Autumn Attack 2022 event on September 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that tickets for this upcoming event will officially go on sale starting on July 22nd.

The National Wrestling Alliance recently announced that Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be making an appearance for the company at their NWA TV tapings on August 29th at the Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was announced that Steamboat will be participating at a fan meet & greet event during the tapings.

The NWA also announced that they will be re-debuting their NWA United States Tag Team Championship at their NWA 74 event on August 28th in St. Louis, Missouri. It was announced that a 10-Team Battle Royal match will be held to crown new champions at the event.

Wrestling Revolver recently announced two new matches for the card of their Sunday FunBey event on August 21st in Dayton, Ohio: