Various: Umaga’s Son Begins Training for Wrestling Career, Sat. NJPW Strong Card, Trademarks, Indies

Dec 9, 2022

Umaga’s Son Joins Reality of Wrestling to Begin Wrestling Career Training

Reality of Wrestling announced on Twitter that Zilla Fatu recently joined their wrestling school to pursue a potential career in wrestling.

Fatu is the son of the late Edward Fatu, also known as Umaga in WWE, and cousin of WWE talents Solo Sikoa, Ava Raine, and Jimmy and Jey Uso.

Welcome the newest member of Reality Of Wrestling training school Zilla Fatu.

His father Umaga was a part of Reality Of Wrestling and now he begins his own journey. pic.twitter.com/uBmPqpznqF
— Reality of Wrestling (@TheOfficialROW) December 7, 2022

Full Card for Saturday’s Episode of NJPW Strong

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced the full card for this Saturday’s New Japan Detonation 2022 Night 2 themed episode of NJPW Strong, which will air on New Japan World starting at 8:00PM EST.

Gregory Sharpe vs. Kenny King
The DKC vs. Christopher Daniels
Hikuleo, Tama Tonga, David Finlay, & Alan Angels vs. Jay White, El Phantasmo, & West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)

WWE, Sasha Banks, MJF Files New Trademarks

WWE, Sasha Banks, and MJF recently filed several new trademarks to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

A trademark for “WWE Ring Leaders” was filed by WWE on December 1st for NIL-related purposes.

A trademark for “Mercedes Varnado” was filed by Sasha Banks on December 1st for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes. This is the real name of Banks.

A trademark for “Reign of Terror” was filed by MJF on December 1st for wrestling and merchandise-related purposes.

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

WWE Hall of Famer Barry Windham suffered a heart attack this past Friday and has been in ICU care since this past Monday, according to Windham’s niece Mika Rotunda. A GoFundMe fundraiser was recently launched to help financially assist Windham’s medical costs.

National Wrestling Alliance talent Colby Cornio’s contract with the company reportedly expires at the end of this year, according to BodySlam.net. Cassidy Haynes reported that his sources stated that Cornio is currently expected to leave the company once his contract expires and report to WWE’s Performance Center for a tryout.

Warrior Wrestling recently announced that Konosuke Takeshita will be making an appearance for the company at their Warrior Wrestling 27 event on January 21, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana.

All Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that Jake Lee, TAJIRI, and Izanagi will be leaving the company once their current contracts expire by the end of this month.

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced that they will be holding a new event on March 19, 2023 in Toronto, Canada.

During a recent interview with The Angle podcast, John Skyler revealed that he recently signed a multi-year contract with Impact Wrestling.

During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Major League Wrestling talent Richard Holliday revealed that he is currently battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Holliday also stated that he is currently halfway through his chemotherapy treatments for his bout with cancer.

MLW recently announced that John Hennigan will be making an appearance for the company at their Blood & Thunder 2023 event on January 7, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was also announced that Hennigan will be competing under the ring name of Johnny Fusion at the event.

Pro Wrestling Guerilla recently announced that Latigo and Daniel Garcia are the next official entrants for next year’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament on January 7-8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Ric Flair recently announced on Twitter that his upcoming new documentary film, titled Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair, will be premiering on NBC’s Peacock service on December 26th.

Kyoko Kimura, mother of the late Hana Kimura, reportedly filed a lawsuit this past Tuesday against Fuji Television Network and the production companies of the defunct Terrace House reality series, according to Japan Times. It was reported that Kimura is claiming that the show was produced in such a way to make its viewers to dislike her daughter’s appearances on the show and as the cause of the online harassment by fans of the series that led to her daughter committing suicide over it in May of 2020. The lawsuit also claims that Hana had committed self harm following a scene shot for the show which the producers decided to air and did not seek help for Hana. Kimura reportedly is currently asking for around $1 million in damages from Fuji Television Network and the two production companies. (English translation via PostWrestling.com)

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that L.E.C. (Life; Enjoyment & Convenience) will be the official sponsor of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match between Kazuchika Okada and champion Jay White at next month’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event.

NJPW also recently announced two new matches for the card of their NJPW Strong themed Nemesis tapings on December 11th in Los Angeles, California:

Eddie Kingston, Homicide, & David Finlay vs. Tom Lawlor, Bobby Fish, & Danny Limelight
Strong Survivor match – TBA

AEW recently announced two new matches for the card of Ring of Honor’s Final Battle 2022 event on December 10th in Arlington, Texas:

ROH World Tag Team Championship Double Dog Collar match – The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (c)
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship – Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) & Brian Cage vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate) (c)