Various: Eddie Kingston Contracted COVID & Pulled from OTT Event, Jay White Update, Mercedes Mone

Eddie Kingston Contracted COVID-19, Pulled from OTT Scrappermania 7 Event

As noted before, Jon Moxley was recently pulled from Over the Top’s Scrappermania 7 event this Saturday in Dublin, Ireland due to him being double booked for AEW’s House Rules house show event that same day. Eddie Kingston and PAC were announced to be Moxley’s replacements for the event.

OTT announced earlier today on Twitter that they have pulled Kingston from their upcoming event due to him recently testing positive for COVID-19. It was also announced that Davey Richards would be replacing Kingston’s scheduled match against Big Damo at the event but it is not known if Richards will also be pulled due to the current allegations of domestic violence against him.

Unfortunately Eddie Kingston has tested positive for Covid and is currently isolated, as a result he can no longer appear at OTT #Wolverhampton #Dublin & #Belfast
However
Man Like Dereiss 🆚 NJPWs Gabriel Kidd in Wolverhampton
Davey Richards 🆚 Big Damo in Dublin
Belfast TBC https://t.co/tEwRm0sOEG

— OTT WRESTLING (@OTT_wrestling) March 17, 2023

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Jay White Free Agency Status Update

As noted before, Jay White’s contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling is set to expire soon and he is currently expected to be leaving the company for WWE or AEW.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that White has been in recent talks with WWE for a potential contract with the company but has yet to sign a deal. Besides WWE, White reportedly has also been in recent talks with AEW for a potential contract with them as well.

Meltzer reported that one person spoken to close to the situation described White as currently being in a 50/50 split on which company he will decided to sign and work for next for his career.

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Mercedes Mone NJPW & Stardom Contract Status Update

As noted before, Mercedes Mone, former Sasha Banks in WWE, made her official debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at this past January’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event. Mone competed and defeated KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at this past February’s NJPW Battle in the Valley 2023 event.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Mone’s current contract with Bushiroad for NJPW and Stardom currently has no dates left after Stardom’s April 23rd event at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohoama, Japan.

Meltzer reported that the current expectation is that if Mone retains her IWGP Women’s title at the event, then it would mean that she had agreed to a new longer term deal and if she drops the title to Mayu Iwatani, then it would mean that her contract with Bushiroad will expire afterwards.