Various: Tyler Breeze on Reason for Lengthy Wrestling Absence, WrestleCon Rebans Rick Steiner, Indies

WWE

Jul 19, 2023

Breeze Comments on His Recent In-Ring Return & Reason for Lengthy Absence From Wrestling

Breeze, former Tyler Breeze in WWE, made his in-ring return to wrestling earlier this month for Next Generation Wrestling’s event in Knoxville, Tennessee. This was Breeze’s first match since June of 2021 for WWE’s NXT brand.

A2D Radio held a recent interview with Breeze. One of the topics discussed included Breeze’s recent return to in-ring wrestling and the reason for his lengthy absence from wrestling.

“It’s pretty cool, man. I never really planned on taking two years off, but after doing this for 15 years and being in WWE for 11 years to where I really didn’t take any time off. I was lucky I didn’t have any surgeries, I took care of myself pretty good, but I was on the road going. So when I finally got that call, I was like, ‘Alright. I’m just gonna chill for a little bit.’ And then I really liked it and then I liked being home and then all of a sudden, I went, ‘Hmm, yeah, I’m just gonna keep doing this.’ And then it was like a year turned into two years. I still got to scratch the wrestling itch a little bit with Flatbacks [training school] with training people, but I wasn’t really missing like being on the road at all. I really liked being at home, I liked waking up in my bed and making breakfast and just typical stuff that people take for granted that I never got to do.
So, again, I was in no real hurry. I was like, ‘Ah, if something happens, if something pops up that could be really fun, maybe I’ll do.’ But really for the most part, I wasn’t against it but I wasn’t missing it. And then it just so happens that [Shawn] Spears, who I train with, he went, ‘Hey, I need an opponent for a match. Would you want to do it?’ And I said, ‘Sure, I could do that.’ So I was like, ‘Well, I’ll do one, I’ll do one.’ And then that same promoter was like, ‘Oh, would you also like to do this show and this show?’ And I went, ‘Yeah, I might as well. Why not?’ So then, somebody saw that so then all of a sudden, they offered me and then all of a sudden, my September’s full of bookings and everything else and I went, ‘Alright, I guess I’m back here.’ So then it was, you know, kick into high gear to get new music, new gear, get in shape, all that stuff.
My first booking was what — a week ago, two weeks ago — and yeah, it was fun, man. The thing that you always, and I think it’s the reason why we do this or why people have a hard time stepping away, is the crowd. The crowd is always — like it’s just so fun. Wrestling is never the problem, like if people get entitled or they get egos or they get whatever, the wrestling part is never the problem. The wrestling and the crowd is why we do it. It’s so fun, man. Being back in front of them, very cool. I’m excited to take more bookings and kind of get back out there. Again, it’s been two years. So. jumping back in there, it feels a little bit fresh and it feels fun and I’m enjoying it.”

Breeze also gave his thoughts on the possibility of him wrestling again for a bigger promotion like WWE, AEW, or Impact Wrestling in the future.

“I think it’s possible. I definitely wouldn’t say that I’m retired or opposed to any of that. Obviously, I’m still young, I’m still athletic, and I still do all the stuff that I did before. I think if the right moment, right opportunity popped up and talked to the right people and everything lined up, I’d go, ‘Yeah, cool. Why not?’ But I’m not actively seeking it either. I like everything that’s going on right now. I’m very, very happy with everything that’s going on. If something popped up that could add to that happiness, fantastic. But, yeah, I’m open to whatever.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

WrestleCon Reinstates Ban on Rick Steiner for Upcoming Convention in Detroit & Future Events

As noted before, WrestleCon announced this past Sunday that they lifted their ban on WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner from attending their events. This ban had been put in place following Steiner being involved in a transphobic incident with Impact Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw at this past April’s WrestleCon convention in Los Angeles, California.

WrestleCon provided an update on Twitter on Tuesday stating that they have reinstated their ban against Steiner due to him failing to issue a public apology over his transphobic incident within a timely matter following his ban being initially lifted.

Attention: Rick Steiner has been removed from Wrestlecon.
When we allowed Rick Steiner to return to our Convention as a vendor guest of Tony Hunter Promotions, we did not adequately take into account the impact his past words from our last event still held in the LGBTQIA+ community. We initially allowed him to return because 1) We still feel that people deserve a second chance. 2) Rick did make an apology to all parties that chose to be present. 3) We lacked any type of code of conduct/harassment policy that clearly defined our expectations as a convention participant.
After a thoughtful dialogue with Brian Bell from SB Nation’s Outsports and host of the LGBT In the Ring podcast on Monday morning, we agreed with his opinion it was necessary to have some type of public acknowledgment/apology from Rick Steiner, at an absolute minimum, to allow him to attend Detroit. Because we understand this issue required great urgency, we gave Rick Steiner 24 hours to make such a statement. Unfortunately, there is not currently and we do not expect to receive such a statement, and we have therefore made a decision to revoke our permission for him to attend.
Additionally, we now have created a first draft of our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment policy that will be posted on our website for everybody to see later today. We will continue to improve upon this code of conduct over time and with the cooperation of others. We understand and appreciate that there will be many differences of opinion among our participants and we want to create a safe and enjoyable space for everybody at our Conventions. At this time, we have partnered in solidarity with other Wrestling industry Convention leaders, notably Starrcast, Wrestlecade, and The Gathering (Charlotte Fanfest) who also agree to adopt and adhere to a similar code of conduct for their events.

Attention: Rick Steiner has been removed from Wrestlecon.

When we allowed Rick Steiner to return to our Convention as a vendor guest of Tony Hunter Promotions, we did not adequately take into account the impact his past words from our last event still held in the LGBTQIA+…
— WrestleCon – Detroit – August 4 & 5 (@wrestlecon) July 18, 2023

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that New Japan Pro Wrestling officials currently have scheduled for Giulia to defend her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at either their All Star Junior Festival 2023 event on August 19th or their co-promoted Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 event on August 20th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In a recent official statement to Haus of Wrestling, Global Pro Wrestling Summit announced that their upcoming event on September 14th in Jerusalem, Israel has been cancelled due to issues involving the promoter of the event, All-Stars Israel/Stagetime, breaching numerous terms of their contract for the event. Among the terms breached included the promoter failing to pay an upfront deposit to talents who had been booked for the event. It was also stated that they have informed the promoter to cease advertising the event and ticket sales to prevent potential fraud to consumers. This event was originally advertised to feature Sting among those who would have competed at the show.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Trinity gave her thoughts about her Impact Knockouts World Championship victory at this past Saturday’s Impact Slammiversary 2023 event. Trinity stated “Deonna is incredible in the ring. I had to step up to match her intensity and energy, and matching her style was a challenge, too,” she said. “She is the hardest opponent I’ve had to face in my career, and I feel so honored to have shared the ring with her. We put so much thought into every part of this match. I’m so happy we got it right. Deonna made me dig deep and fight through it. That’s my story. The struggle makes it real. It also makes it beautiful.“

Pro Wrestling Guerilla announced that they will be holding a new event called TWENTY: Mystery Vortex on August 13th. This will be PWG’s 20th Anniversary show and the card will remain a secret until wrestlers make their entrances for their matches on the show. This will also be PWG’s first Mystery Vortex themed event since 2021.

Game Changer Wrestling announced that they will be holding their first ever event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan on October 12th.

GCW also recently announced a new match for the card of their Say You Will event on September 1st in Chicago, Illinois:

Joey Janela vs. Lash LeRoux

EFFY recently announced that Sonny Kiss will be making an appearance for GCW at their GCW EFFY’s Big Gay Brunch 7 event on September 2nd in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Renegade of Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their co-promoted GCW x ROW Sydney event on August 25th in Sydney, Australia:

Charli Evans vs. Maki Itoh

The National Wrestling Alliance recently announced eight new matches for the card of their NWA 75 event on August 26-27 in St. Louis, Missouri:

NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship – Colby Cornio vs. Kerry Morton (c)
Vacant NWA National Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat match – “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason vs. Odinson vs. J.R. Kratos
Matt Cardona Open Challenge match – mystery opponent vs. Matt Cardona
NWA United States Tag Team Championship – TBA vs. The Country Gentlemen (Anthony Andrews & A.J. Cazana) (c)
August 26th, NWA 75 Night 1 – NWA World Tag Team Championship – Blunt Force Trauma (Damage & Carnage) vs. La Rebelión (Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666) (c)
August 26th, NWA 75 Night 1 – #1 Contender for NWA World Women’s Championship on Night Two Mildred Burke Invitational Gauntlet match – Ruthie Jay vs. Samantha Starr vs. C.J. vs. M.J. Jenkins vs. WOAD vs. Allysin Kay vs. Heather Monroe vs. Sierra vs. Taylor Rising vs. TBA
August 27th, NWA 75 Night 2 – NWA World Tag Team Championship – Mike Knox & Trevor Murdoch vs. Winner of Blunt Force Trauma/La Rebelión (c)
August 27th, NWA 75 Night 2 – NWA World Women’s Championship – Winner of Mildred Burke Invitational Gauntlet vs. Winner of Natalia Markova/Kamille (c)

Major League Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their Fury Road 2023 event on September 3rd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: