Sat. Roundup: Ciampa WWE Return Update, Chris Hero Getting AEW Producer Tryout, Jim Ross Eye Injury, Mandy Rose, Indies

WWE

• Friday’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a preliminary viewership of 2,278,000 viewers on FOX, according to SpoilerTV.
• WWE announced a new match for the card of their June 19th RAW show in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier match of Raquel Rodriguez vs. Trish Stratus.
• Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Lexington, Kentucky featured a new match added to the card of the June 23rd SmackDown show in Lafayette, Louisiana. This is a singles match of Shotzi vs. Bayley with the special stipulation of if Shotzi wins, then she will officially replace Bayley in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match at next month’s Money in the Bank 2023 event.
• WWE filed a new trademark for “Chelsea Green” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on June 12th to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
• As noted before, Disney and several others are currently interested in the idea of signing a potential television contract with WWE. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that if Disney were to sign a television contract with WWE for RAW for their FX network, FX likely would see a boost of around little over 200,000 viewers for their Monday’s primetime viewership average due to the impact from RAW. Meltzer reported that FX currently generates around 462,000 overall viewers and a 0.13 key demographic rating as their average for primetime ratings on Mondays on the network. Meltzer reported that if RAW were to take over that Monday night primetime slot, FX’s average would increase to around 667,000 overall viewers and a big increase for their key demographic ratings for their Monday night primetime slot.
• As noted before, WWE was estimated to have generated around 8,300 pay-per-view buys for this past May’s Night of Champions 2023 event. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Night of Champions 2023 is currently estimated to have generated around 9,800 PPV buys based on updated numbers and the event generating a large boost in late PPV buys purchases.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE officials are currently planning to tape their upcoming July 4th NXT show on either June 27th or June 28th at their Performance Center.
• In a recent interview with the Busted Open Radio podcast, Bron Breakker gave his thoughts about his current heel character in WWE’s NXT brand. Breakker stated “I think this is just more natural for me, to be honest with you. It just fits me a whole lot better. I don’t have to be a character or get into character. This is more natural and who I am. I’m having a lot of fun. When I was the NXT Champion, towards the end of the long run that I had, people started to turn on me and change their tune when I came out. It’s tough. I felt reserved, like I’m holding this back. I can’t really describe it. Finally, I was like, ‘screw it. I’m done caring what these people think of me, whether they like me, whether they don’t, I’m going to do whatever I want and that’s it.’” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In a recent interview with ESPN’s Cincy 3:60 radio show, Gunther gave his thoughts about the potential of breaking the all-time WWE record for longest ever Intercontinental Championship reign that is currently held by The Honky Tonk Man. Gunther stated “It would be, obviously, a great accomplishment and maybe the biggest accomplishment of my career, to that date. But also, there’s still some time to go, and I try to focus on what’s right in front of me and make the best out of that situation. I don’t try to get caught up in the future with what ifs and what could happen, even though it’s not that far away. I think once it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to lean back and enjoy it a little bit. It would be very rewarding and a big accomplishment.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• As noted before, Tommaso Ciampa has been out of action for WWE since this past October due to a hip injury and surgery. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Ciampa could be ready to make his return from injury to WWE as early as this July.
• In a recent interview with the Tetragrammaton podcast, Paul Heyman stated that when he first joined WWE following ECW’s closure, he had told Vince McMahon that he did not want to be an on-screen personality and only wanted to work in a behind-the-scenes role. Heyman stated “I came to WWE and my first thing I said to Vince (McMahon) in coming in the door was, ‘I don’t wanna be on television. I’m 35, I had my fun. I wanna be behind the scenes only’ and then the whole thing happened with they fired Jerry Lawler’s wife and Jerry Lawler quit and I wasn’t supposed to get into WWE until WrestleMania because I was too busy dealing with the ridiculous amount of legalities of what was the pending ECW bankruptcy. So I’m going into a personal bankruptcy and a corporate bankruptcy and I’m jumping into WWE and I cut my deal to come in behind the scenes and I get a call from Vince on a Tuesday and he says, ‘Are you aware that Jerry Lawler quit last night?’ And I said, ‘Yeah. I heard the whole story. I’m sorry to hear that’ and says, ‘Well I’m gonna need a little bit of a favor from you’ and I said, ‘Well, I’m not really in a position to turn down a favor from you in this moment. My company’s gone. I’m entering bankruptcy and you’re offering me a lifeline in life. So the answer to the favor is yes. Now please tell me what I’m doing’ and he says, ‘Need you to start on commentary next Monday night’ and I’m like, oh my God. I’m back on television. That’s exactly where I don’t wanna be and then of course I realized, well, I get to play with Jim Ross a little bit. I always liked being Jim Ross’ color commentator and you know, if I’m gonna have to do anything in the public eye anymore, replacing Jerry Lawler on Raw is not a bad way to debut. That’s a pretty iconic position. That’s what today, we would refer to as relevant.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

AEW & ROH

• Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that former WWE and ROH wrestler Chris Hero is currently scheduled to be in attendance backstage at AEW’s debut Collision show tonight in Chicago, Illinois. It was reported that the reason for Hero’s backstage appearance is due to AEW had offered Hero a producer tryout in the company starting with tonight’s Collision show. It was also reported that it is currently not known if AEW officials have any plans for Hero to potentially wrestle for the company as well.
• Jim Ross announced on Twitter that he had suffered a black eye injury following a fall incident this morning. Ross stated that despite his eye injury, he is still planning to travel to Chicago to work in commentary for AEW’s debut Collision show later tonight.
• As noted before, AEW’s Collision series is currently scheduled to air live on TSN+ and on a two-hour tape delay on TSN starting at 12AM EST on Sundays in Canada. The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that TSN’s current programming schedule for week two of Collision is for it to air live starting at 8PM EST on TSN 5. Meltzer reported that the reason for the different cable network is due to no official decision has been made yet for which TSN channel will be the actual home for Collision in Canada and instead this will be a week-to-week thing for its broadcast situation until a final decision is made.
• As noted before, AEW recently announced that the official commentary team for their Collision series will be Nigel McGuinness, Jim Ross, and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s English commentator Kevin Kelly. In response to a fan question on Twitter, Kelly stated that he will be absent from AEW’s commentary team for a few Collision shows this July and August due to he will be in Japan during those months for his G1 Climax 2023 commitments for NJPW. Kelly stated “No i’ll have fill-in help for Collision while I’m in Japan for #G1CLIMAX33“
• Friday’s Rampage show in Washington, D.C. that was taped this past Wednesday featured a singles match of Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita, which was won by Takeshita. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that numerous AEW staff and talent recently spoken to had high praise for the match and how great it was with the live crowd at the venue.
• CM Punk worked in commentary for Cage Fury Fighting Championships’ CFFC 120 MMA event on Friday in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
• As noted before, CM Punk will be making his official return to AEW at tonight’s AEW Collision show at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Punk is currently scheduled to compete in a Trios match with FTR against Samoa Joe & Bullet Club Gold. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that CM Punk had pushed AEW officials for his in-ring return match to take place on Collision’s debut show. The reason reportedly was due to Punk has never wrestled at the United Center during his career and wanted to be able to do so for AEW’s debut Collision show at the venue.
• AEW recently announced that they will be holding a new set of AEW Dynamite and Rampage tapings on August 2nd in Tampa, Florida. It was also announced that tickets for this upcoming set of events officially went on sale starting on Friday, June 16th.
• As noted before, ESPN held a recent interview with CM Punk that featured Punk discussing his real-life issues with Hangman Adam Page in AEW. Following the release of the interview, Nick Jackson responded on Instagram in defense of Page over the comments made by Punk towards him. Jackson stated “Not only is he a good at wrestling but he’s an even better human being.“
• Also in regards to CM Punk’s recent interview with ESPN, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW officials had been hoping that Punk’s comments towards Hangman Adam Page would not be included in the final version of the interview for its release, which were featured in the end. Meltzer reported that the reason was due to AEW not wanting their current efforts of trying to sign Page to a new long-term contract with the company to be potentially negatively affected by the interview.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the promo segment between Adam Cole and MJF during the June 7th AEW Dynamite show in Colorado Springs, Colorado was basically similar to the infamous promo segment Cole had with Karrion Kross on an episode of WWE NXT in 2021. In regards to the promo in AEW, Meltzer reported that Cole and MJF had swapped roles with MJF being in the position of Cole and Cole being in the position of Kross for their promo segment in AEW. Meltzer reported “it was Cole in the MJF spot talking about how the promotion did everything for Karrion Kross but he still didn’t get that over, similar to MJF saying how the company has done everything they can for Cole, including the fancy entrance and the girl (the same things Cole brought up for Kross) and also bringing up the reality show.”
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the reason why none of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s top stars besides Will Ospreay made an appearance during this past Wednesday’s Dynamite show was due to NJPW holding their own event that same night. Meltzer reported that most of NJPW’s top stars are currently likely to be making an appearance at next week’s Collision show in Toronto for the final build for AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door II event the next night in Toronto. In regards to potential AEW talent working at Forbidden Door II, Meltzer reported that The Acclaimed, Billy Gunn, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Willow Nightingale were all recently pulled from their scheduled booking for Friday’s event for New England Championship Wrestling. Meltzer reported that Penta and Nightingale likely will be used instead for Ring of Honor’s television tapings on June 24th instead of for Forbidden Door II.
• In a recent interview with Metro, Jamie Hayter gave her thoughts about CM Punk’s upcoming return to AEW and her interactions with Punk backstage in the company. Hayter stated “From my experience with him, he was always very, very pleasant. Very helpful, and I always had really great conversations with him about wrestling. He’s a wealth of knowledge because he’s been in the business for so long, and he’s got extensive experience. You’d kind of be a fool not to want to pick his brain and not want to work with the guy. He knows what he’s doing! He was one of the most gripping performers in professional wrestling. The Summer of Punk, all of that, everyone was so into it and there was a reason why he was the most popular wrestler. To be honest, I would say he’s still incredibly popular now, regardless of the All Out stuff and the drama. He’s still a big name and he’s still wanted in the business. You know what? It’s not my company. I can’t speak for everybody, but I wouldn’t have an issue with it. If it’s gonna be good for the company, then I’m all for it. If it’s gonna put butts in seats, if it’s gonna get people to watch, then absolutely!“
• As noted before, AEW recently hired former WWE and Impact Wrestling creative writer Jimmy Jacobs to a backstage producer and creative writer job in the company. Jacobs recently reflected on Instagram about his recent time in Impact and being proud of his work for the company and looking forward to watching what Impact does with the work he helped create. Jacobs stated “Nothing I write here can adequately capture my feelings about my time with IMPACT Wrestling. I’m beyond grateful for the playground I got to create in and the playmates I got to create with. From the first day I arrived at IMPACT in November of 2017, I was blessed to collaborate with a cast of dedicated and bright human beings in an effort to share our passion with the world. It was refreshing to be surrounded by people who not only tolerated my idiosyncrasies, but more often than not, embraced them. I’m proud to be a part the vision we all created and of the progress that the company as a whole has made throughout that time. I will always have love in my heart for that entire crew, roles big and small, as when you’re in the trenches making TV every single week, you really appreciate the fact that it takes the effort of each and every person to make the cogs in the machine go round. I will always cherish my time with the special group of people at IMPACT Wrestling, and I look forward to seeing the magic they make in the future.“

Impact, NJPW, Indies, & Misc. Wrestling

• DEFY Wrestling recently announced that Jon Moxley will be making an appearance for the company at their Super 8XGP Night 1 event on July 29th in Seattle, Washington.
• As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King Lawler” filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2019 against Hardeman County, Tennessee and its sheriff over issues involving the circumstances of his son and former WWE wrestler Brian Christopher’s death in a county jail. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that a court hearing for Lawler’s lawsuit is currently scheduled to take place on August 3rd based on recent court documents.
• As noted before, Impact Wrestling recently announced that Bully Ray and Steve Maclin will be competing in a tag team match against PCO and Scott D’Amore at next month’s Slammiversary 2023 event in Windsor, Canada. Impact President D’Amore recently reflected about his upcoming match at next month’s Slammiversary 2023 event. D’Amore stated “Well I’m officially not the President of @IMPACTWRESTLING between now and #Slammiversary It’s been a while but let’s see if I remember how to do this wrestling thing… Doesn’t hurt to have the French Canadian Frankenstein on my side. Let’s freakin do this!!!“
• Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed PWInsider’s Mike Johnson’s report about Impact had recently signed former Ring of Honor head booker Delirious to a writers job in their creative team.
• As noted before, a judge recently denied WWE’s motion request to dismiss Major League Wrestling’s amended antitrust lawsuit against them. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that many within MLW were elated over their on-going lawsuit against WWE not being dismissed.
• MLW reportedly is currently working on plans to hold another event in New York City, New York by the end of this year, according to PWInsider.
• MLW recently announced that B3CCA will be performing a live song at their upcoming Never Say Never 2023 event on July 8th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• As noted before, DDT Pro Wrestling recently announced that a “former WWE talent” would be making an appearance at their August 20th event in Osaka, Japan. DDT Pro recently revealed that the mystery identity of this “former WWE talent” is Yoshitatsu.
• Stardom recently announced that KAIRI and Momo Kohgo was among the cast for the upcoming film Runaway Wrestler that is based on the life of Stardom talent Mayu Iwatani.
• In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya gave his thoughts about his current feud with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Kazuchika Okada. Kiyomiya stated “I still don’t like Kazuchika Okada. I always have him on my mind, and I intend to use the frustration of All Together Again as fuel toward winning the G1 Climax. I’m sure that I’ll be able to beat him.” (English translation via @CiaranRH93)
• NJPW recently announced a new match for the card of their NJPW Strong Independence Day Night 2 event on July 5th in Tokyo, Japan. This is a “Final Death” Anything Goes match of Jon Moxley vs. El Desperado.
• NJPW also announced that they had pulled DOUKI from their New Japan Road event on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan due to him recently falling ill with a fever. It was also announced that DOUKI was given a COVID-19 test and tested negative but was still pulled from the event for cautionary reasons.
• Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their Summer Sun Princess 2023 event on July 8th in Tokyo, Japan. This is a singles match of Nyla Rose vs. Miu Watanabe.
• As noted before, Mandy Rose was released from WWE this past December over issues related to adult themed content she had been posting on her FanTime account. In a recent interview with I95 Rock’s The Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Show radio show, Rose provided an update regarding the current status of her wrestling career. Rose stated “I’m on a little bit of a different path now, I’m in a little transitional phase. I’m no longer with the WWE right now. Not to say that I won’t wrestle in the future, I’m not really sure, but I’m taking a break right now and I’m focusing on my skincare line, my other brands, DaMandyz Donutz, helping out at my dad’s deli, I have some plans in the works that I want to help out with them and do some things. My dad is pretty old school, so I want to revamp a little bit. I have some ideas. I’m really busy on my exclusive fan site, FanTime, I get to really engage with my fans. It’s been awesome. I can’t complain, it’s been great.” Rose also gave her thoughts on her current interest in making a return to wrestling in the future. Rose stated “It’s hard to say right now because I am enjoying my time being home and being able to come up to New York and be with my family and hang out at my dad’s deli and just have the time because our schedules are crazy (in wrestling). I’m not going to say it’s in my past and I’ll never go back to it, but I will say right now, I’m really enjoying the time and doing a lot of other things. Eventually, I want to start a family one day and it’s a little hard in the wrestling world. You can still do it. I don’t know what the future brings. I don’t want to say I’ll never go back because it’s an amazing sport, I love it, and the last year and a half I really brought my character and put a lot of equity in my name, which I’m very grateful for.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• As noted before, Dragon Gate talents SB Kento and Takuma Fujiwara recently cut all ties and departed from the company for reasons not known at the time. Dragon Gate announced that they have officially released Kento and Fuiwara due to both sides being unable to find a “mutually satisfactory path towards a resolution” regarding the situation involving the two in the company. It was also announced that the decision to officially release Kento and Fujiwara from their contracts was also made with the consent given by Kento and Fujiwara.