Sat. Roundup: New WWE Kids Show Plans, William Regal on AEW Departure, CM Punk & Elite, AAA, Butch Miller Death Update, Indies

AEW

Indie / Misc

Steve C.

Apr 22, 2023

WWE

This past Friday’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a preliminary viewership of 2,088,000 viewers on FOX, according to SpoilerTV.
In a recent interview with KTAL News, LA Knight gave his thoughts on who would be his dream match opponents in WWE. Knight stated “Dream matches, you think about people from the past who aren’t doing it anymore. There are a couple of those. Everyone is talking about it again, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, that makes me look at Roman Reigns. Even Gunther, with the Intercontinental Championship, Austin Theory for the United States Championship. Any one of those guys, who I could take a piece of gold off of, that would be my dream match.” (Transcript h/t: CageSideSeats.com)
WWE and USA Network reportedly are currently working on plans to debut a new WWE-related television show on the network in the future, according to WrestleVotes. It was reported that their sources stated that this new show is currently planned to be a kids trivia show featuring children competing against WWE Superstars. It was also reported that this upcoming show is currently planned to be called “WWE Tall vs. Small.”
As noted before, Drew McIntyre has been out of action for WWE since their WrestleMania 39 event earlier this month due to an unknown health issue. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there has been no new updates from his sources regarding McIntyre’s health status as of this past Thursday. Meltzer reported that WWE officials are still expecting McIntyre to be out of action for at least the next several weeks. The nature nor severity of McIntyre’s health issue reportedly is still currently not known.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE officials have put their plans for Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baslzer to be in a title feud for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship on hold due to the status of Rousey’s arm injury. Those spoken to reportedly stated that Rousey had made the decision to work at WrestleMania 39 despite not being ready to return from her injury. Rousey reportedly wanted to work at WrestleMania due to it taking place in Los Angeles and did not want to be told by anyone else that she could not compete on the show. This mentality of wanting to work while injured reportedly was the same mentality she had during her time in UFC.
WWE reportedly is currently dealing with a large number of injuries and medical abscesses according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that his sources stated that this is an unusually high amount of people who are currently hurt for various reasons by WWE standards. Meltzer reported that most of those who are out of action are from WWE’s developmental system. Meltzer reported that around twelve people are currently known to be out of action in developmental, which includes Amari Miller, Arianna Grace, Nikkita Lyons, Roderick Strong, Sanga, Blair Davenport, and Yulisa Leon. In regards to WWE’s main roster, Meltzer reported that those known to be currently out of action for WWE’s main roster are Big E, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Ronda Rousey, Kofi Kingston, Robert Roode, Tommaso Ciampa, AJ Styles, Aliyah, Drew McIntyre, Johnny Gargano, and Carmella.
Paul Heyman recently informed WWE’s talent that they would not be allowed to request comp tickets for their family and friends for select upcoming events due to the strong demand and ticket sales for those shows.
As noted before, WWE recently rebranded their originally planned King & Queen of the Ring event next month in Saudi Arabia to be a Night of Champions brand event instead. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE officials decision to rename the event was made due to booking-related reasons. Those same sources reportedly also stated that the reasoning for this name change will become obvious during WWE’s build and follow-up for their upcoming Backlash 2023 event in Puerto Rico.
A recent episode of the Hall of Fame with Booker T and Brad Gilmore podcast featured co-host Booker T giving his thoughts about why feels that WWE should add another Women’s championship for their NXT brand. Booker T stated “I don’t see that being a bad thing just because right now they just have the tag team championship and the singles championship. The thing is, you have so many ladies in NXT right now that perhaps need that belt, that television championship to launch their career a little bit.” Booker T also gave his thoughts on why he believes that Sol Ruca and Tiffany Stratton have the potential in becoming big stars for WWE. Booker T stated “I look at girls like Sol Ruca right now that are coming up. She could be someone who can get the rocket or definitely Tiffany Stratton. I can see Tiffany Stratton being the television champion in NXT. Why shouldn’t NXT women have one more championship for the women to be highlighted just a little bit more? I’m all about the rub, so I’m not opposed to that.” (Transcript h/t: WrestlingNews.co)
In a recent video on YouTube, former WWE talent Eva Marie stated that she is currently in talks with WWE Studios for potential television and film projects. Marie also stated that she is open to the idea of making a potential return in WWE in the future. Marie stated “The talks of me coming back to WWE, it’s one of those things where, I know you guys want a yes or no answer, the truth is, it’s maybe. We have an ongoing relationship. I was just in talks with WWE Studios, talking about ideas and movies and TV. Obviously, that door is always open of potentially coming back. Who knows, Eva Marie could come back as a dark persona, dye my hair back to black. You never know. That’s what is so beautiful about WWE, it’s a character, you’re creating something to entertain you guys. To give you a cut and dry answer, it’s a maybe. I always love WWE. The fact that I’m in talks with them right now and currently is amazing.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

AEW & ROH

As noted before, William Regal was granted his release from AEW this past December and returned to WWE for a backstage management role this past January. Regal recently commented on Twitter clarifying the reasons and timeline of his departure from AEW. Regal stated “Just so anyone who wants to know the truth. I know Tony summed up a few conversations we had with quick answer. FYI, Tony called me at 9 pm on a Sunday night and I discussed my reasons for leaving were time spent where I won’t to be. Then and I only then did he tell me where he was and what problems he was having. I told him to get off the phone and take care off his family and he shouldn’t be talking to me know. I also realise he has summed up conversations with brief answers. We eventually talked about me leaving 2 weeks later in Jacksonville. Time and time spent was the reasons for my leaving, no agenda for anything else. I have lived through some serious times in 2018/19 and realize time is all I have. I had a great time in AEW and are thankful for the time I spent there with many of my close friends and the amazing crew. I just want to make that public so people stop misinterpreting it. It’s sad that people in our job can’t realize that you can be a decent human being without having an agenda or taking advantage. This is the last time I will mention this. Again, I would like to thank AEW for there gracious acceptance of me and for Tony to take me onboard. And just so you know, there’s a few spelling mistakes in my last tweets but I spent too much time at school daydreaming of being a Pro Wrestler. Aew we’re very kind to me and I enjoyed my time there. I made the most of my time there and NEVER double crossed anyone.“
Britt Baker recently posted a photo on Twitter of a bruised eye injury that suffered during this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Baker also revealed that this injury occurred during her beatdown at the hands of Chris Jericho and Saraya’s groups on the show.
As noted before, Jeff Hardy made his official return to AEW earlier this month and is not currently expected to wrestle for at least the next few weeks. Fightful Select reported that their sources AEW officials currently do not have any plans for Hardy to wrestle prior to the upcoming The Firm Deletion match at the Hardy Compound. It was reported that a few people outside of AEW had learned of the plans for Hardy’s return a couple days prior to it taking place.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the waiting list for the pre-sale for AEW’s upcoming All In event had surpassed 55,000 as of this past Thursday. Meltzer reported that AEW is currently averaging around 1,500 new signups per day for their upcoming pre-sale over the course of this past week.
Dave Meltzer also reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the scheduled meeting between CM Punk, Chris Jericho, AEW CEO Tony Khan, and FTR had still yet to take place as of this past Thursday. In regards to Punk’s issues with The Elite, Meltzer reported that Punk has not apologized nor has he yet to attempt to hold a meeting with The Young Bucks to potentially resolve the issues between the two. Meltzer reported that those close to Punk stated that the reason for the lack of a meeting is due to Punk being told to not have any contact with The Elite while others spoken to stated differently in regards to this situation. Meltzer also reported that the reason why Brandon Cutler took down his tweet being negative about Punk’s upcoming return was due to him and others being told by AEW officials that nobody is allowed to tweet anything negative about anyone else for the time being.
As noted before, AEW announced this past Wednesday that they had signed Komander to an official contract with the company. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that prior to his signing with AEW, Komander had been under contract with Mexican-based indie promotion Kaoz. Meltzer reported that Kaoz officials gave their permission to Komander to accept a deal from AEW and would likely have done the same had it been a deal with WWE instead. In regards to Komander’s contract, Meltzer reported that he likely will be making more money in AEW than had he accepted a contract from WWE since he likely would have been put on their NXT brand first, which pays a lot less than a main roster deal. AEW deals reportedly are worthy a monetary amount comparable to a WWE main roster deal. Meltzer reported that the reason why Dragon Lee decided to accept a deal with WWE despite a NXT contract being worth less money was due to his assumption that he would only be staying in developmental for a year and then would start earning main roster type money.
As noted before, Santana has been out of action for AEW since this past June due to a knee injury. Santana recently posted a cryptic video on Twitter teasing a resurrection of his career.
In a recent interview with the Busted Open Radio podcast, Dustin Rhodes gave his thoughts about his belief that AEW’s Women’s division has been doing a really good job and he wants to continue to improve the division for the better. Rhodes stated “I feel really good about it because if you look back to day one, they’ve grown so much. They’re still coming to my training practices every week, and we drill, we teach new things, we fix wrongs, things like that, and we just do it every single week, and that repetition and get them a little loose, with my talking about the audience and making people feel something. To me, I believe they’re doing an excellent job, and I believe our women’s division is only gonna get stronger and stronger. It’s really good right now, and I’m happy to see it because it took some time to get there, and it’s there, and we’re kind of thriving in that area.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
In a recent interview with The Sessions with Renee Paquette podcast, Impact Wrestling talent Kenny King gave his thoughts about a potential return to Ring of Honor in the future. King stated “I like what I see over there (in Ring of Honor). I would kill for another chance to face Claudio Castagnoli. He’s always been one of my favorites. I like what they got going on over there. You know, and if there’s an opportunity at some point to go over there, then I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to that or any other wrestling opportunities for the next couple of years while you still have me.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

Indies & Misc. Wrestling

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reason why Lucha Libre AAA officials had booked Antifaz del Norte to be attacked by Laredo Kid and taken out on a stretcher prior to the start of the 10-Man Lucha Cage match was to cover for a legitimate broken ribs injury he had recently suffered. Meltzer reported that the spot involving Kid leaping off a tall light stand and delivering an elbow drop to del Norte was AAA officials way of writing him out of the match.
As noted before, AAA dropped all of their plans for match and later an angle between Chessman and social media influencer Adrian Marcelo for this past Sunday’s Triplemania XXXI: Monterrey event in Monterrey, Mexico due to Marcelo failing his wrestling licensing test and the recent sexual assault accusations against him. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Marcelo stated in a recent podcast interview that the reason why he failed his test was due to his claims of the Monterrey commission acting as bullies towards him by stacking the deck against him. Marcelo also stated that he is no longer interested in being a wrestler and admitted to the whole slap incident and everything surrounding it with Chessman being staged, killing his entire angle in AAA in the process. Following his comments, several wrestlers reportedly spoke out against Marcelo stating that Lucha Libre does not need him and took issues over the way he quit his test.
As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Bushwhacker Butch, real name Robert Miller passed away earlier this month following a medical emergency incident in Los Angles, California. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the cause of Miller’s passing was discovered to have been due to him forgetting to pack one of his medications for high blood pressure for his long trip from his home in New Zealand to Los Angeles. Miller’s former tag team partner Bushwhacker Luke, real name Luke Williams, reportedly had told others that these missing pills were water pills and it had been four days since he last took it resulting in him suffering a fatal high blood pressure incident. Williams also stated that Miller had been so excited to travel for a signing event in Los Angeles on March 30th that he ended up forgetting to pack his pills as a result.
In a recent interview with Local 4 Detroit, WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah the Butcher stated that his current serious financial woes are the result of his illiteracy and his claims of being taken advantage by others. Abdullah claimed that he was not aware of a lawsuit filed against him by a wrestler named Devon Nicholson and was only told after he lost the case by default that he was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages. In his lawsuit, Nicholson claimed that he had contracted hepatitis C following a match he had with Abdullah involving both men bleeding. Nicholoson also claimed that Abdullah did not inform beforehand of him having hepatitis. In the interview, Abdullah stated that due to him being broke, he had to sell his WWE Hall of Fame ring in order to raise some livable money for him.
National Wrestling Alliance owner Billy Corgan reportedly is currently working on plans to run NWA events as part of his upcoming Smashing Pumpkins concert tour, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that this upcoming tour starts this July and the idea would be to run these NWA events similar to the Smashing Pumpkins tour this past March in Mexico City, Mexico.
As noted before, Major League Wrestling is currently working on plans to hold live events starting this summer and shop them around as Premium Live Events (PLE) packages to interested parties. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the idea is to sell their upcoming live events similar to WWE’s PLEs and not as regular pay-per-view wrestling events like AEW. Meltzer also reported that MLW’s talks with others for their PLEs were described as “being in the seventh inning” in terms of progress.
New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced an updated match for the card of their Wrestling Dontaku 2023 event on May 3rd in Fukuoka, Japan. This is the NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship match of Tomohirio Ishii, Kazuchika Okada, & mystery partner vs. Strong Style (Ren Narita, El Desperado, & Minoru Suzuki) (c).
NJPW also announced that tickets for their upcoming Wrestling Dontaku 2023 event on May 3rd in Fukuoka recently reached sold out status.
NJPW also recently issued an official statement warning their fans to be warry of tweets and unsolicited messages from people claiming to be from the company due to Twitter’s recent changes to their verification system. NJPW stated “Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Due to changes in the verification system for Twitter users, wrestlers and NJPW affiliated accounts may or may not have blue verified checks, and accounts with a verified badge may or may not represent who they claim.” The company also provided a set of links that are official Twitter accounts of their talent and company.
Stardom recently announced that NJPW’s Chris Charlton and Sonny Gutierrez and Momo Kohgo will be the English language commentary team for their All Star Grand Queendom 2023 event this Sunday in Yokohama, Japan.
As noted before, former wrestler Tammy Sytch was arrested this past May in Florida following a police investigation into a fatal car accident involving Sytch in March of 2022. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that a second civil lawsuit was filed against Sytch by a woman named Jana Olivova on March 21st. Johnson reported that Olivova was a passenger in another car who was impacted by the car accident incident. In her filing, Olivova is claiming that she had suffered bodily injuries as a result of the accident caused by Sytch and is currently asking to be awarded $50,000 in economic damages. Besides Sytch, Olivova is also currently suing Sytch’s fiance James Pente over his ownership of the car involved in the accident and Geico.
Game Changer Wrestling announced that they had pulled Billie Starkz and Allison Danger from their Into The Light event on Friday in Atlanta, Georgia due to both recently suffering injuries.