Various: Santino Marella on Wrestling Plans, Kazuchika Okada on Wrestling World Cup, NJPW All Star Jr. Festival

Santino Marella Comments on Current Plans to Wrestle in Impact

A recent episode of the Busted Open Radio podcast featured Santino Marella as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Marella’s thoughts on Impact Wrestling’s current plans for him to wrestle in the company.

“Well actually, so, you know, the talk is I’ll try and wrestle maybe quarterly. Special matches, that Jerry Lawler schedule, wrestling a few matches a year. See what the body can do but mostly, funny backstage pre-tapes, some in-ring promos, all that kind of stuff. A lot of interactions with superstars and trying to make them laugh and try to pop them. It’s fun, it’s a lot of fun. The creative juices are flowing and a lot of the writers here, they’re looking forward to writing comedy that’s gonna be executed properly and there’s a really good energy here right now.”

Marella also gave his thoughts about former WCW wrestler Ernest “The Cat” Miller’s recent debut in Impact being a one-off appearance in the company.

“Yeah, I think it was a one-off because it was in Atlanta (Ernest Miller’s IMPACT Wrestling appearance) but man, I’m a big fan of his, not just as a wrestler but as a martial artist. As a man, he’s an intelligent businessman and he’s a cool dude. I think that’s my first time really getting to meet him and what an awesome guy.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com

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Kazuchika Okada Comments on Wrestling World Cup Idea with NJPW & Other Promotions

Tokyo Sports held a recent interview with Kazuchika Okada. One of the topics discussed included Okada’s thoughts on his idea for New Japan Pro Wrestling to hold a wrestling World Cup type event with other promotions around the world.

“We had an all-star event before, but last year we had the World Cup (soccer), and this year we have the WBC (baseball) and the World Cup (rugby). It would be interesting to have pro-wrestling matches between different countries and have Japan represent Japan. The World Cup in soccer was interesting, and I think the WBC will be stimulating.

I think there are such events overseas, but I don’t think there are any big tournaments. I think it would be fun to have a big event on a global scale. Maybe we could have a tag team with Okada and (Shinsuke) Nakamura, or Okada and (Tetsuya) Naito if they are asked to fight for their country. I don’t know if that would work. I think it would be interesting to include various groups. If necessary, I will go see (AEW president) Tony Khan and (WWE executive) Triple H. Even in this Tokyo Dome, there are AEW wrestlers (such as Kenny Omega), WWE wrestlers (Karl Anderson), and (Mercedes) Mone, who quit the WWE. Even New Japan is worldwide now, isn’t it? There are players from many different countries, so I would like to do something interesting. I feel like I really want to do it now that I’m talking about it (laughs).”

English translation via Fightful.com

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NJPW Announces Interpromotional All Star Junior Festival Event for This March

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that they will be holding a new event called All Star Junior Festival on March 1st at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

It was announced that twenty promotions are will be participating in this upcoming event, Hiromu Takahashi will be the lead producer of this event, and it will air live as a pay-per-view purchase on New Japan World.

Official press release:

Produced by Hiromu Takahashi, March 1 will see an incredible event on NJPW World pay per view, powered by LEC!

It’s the first ever All Star Junior Festival in Korakuen Hall! Junior heavyweights from across the world, independent to major leagues will all be in action on a once in a lifetime card!

Represented will be:

2AW

666 Pro-Wrestling

All Japan Pro-Wrestling

Big Japan Pro-Wrestling

CMLL

DDT Pro-Wrestling

DRADITION

DRAGON GATE

GanbarePro-Wrestling

GLEAT

Just Tap Out

Kyushu Pro-Wrestling

Michinoku Pro-Wrestling

New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Osaka Pro-Wrestling

PANCRASE MISSION

Pro-Wrestling BASARA

Pro-Wrestling FREEDOMS

Pro-Wrestling NOAH

Pro-Wrestling SECRET BASE

Pro-Wrestling ZERO1

Ryuukyuu Dragon Pro-Wrestling

Tickets for the event go on sale January 21, and you’ll be able to watch all the action live on NJPW World PPV!