Sat. Roundup: Indie Talents Given WWE Deals, Jakara Jackson Injury Update, Brock Anderson Left AEW, MJF, Adam Cole, Impact BFG 2023, Impact, Indies

WWE

• Friday’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a preliminary viewership of 2,150,000 viewers on FOX, according to TVSeriesFinale.
• Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in San Antonio, Texas featured the official announcement of next week’s show on October 27th will be airing live on FS1 instead of FOX. The reason for the network preemption is due to FOX’s upcoming commitments with this year’s MLB World Series.
• Bodyslam.net’s Cassidy Haynes reported that his sources stated that WWE recently offered contracts to indie talents Brogan Finlay, Lucky Ali, and Jay Malachi. Haynes reported that all three are currently scheduled to report to the Performance Center in January of 2024 after they finish up their remaining indies commitments. Finlay, Ali, and Malachi were among the indie talents who were invited by WWE for a recent set of tryouts this past September.
• As noted before, Jakara Jackson was pulled from this year’s NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament due to her not being medically cleared for an undisclosed medical issue. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Jackson is currently believed to have recently suffered a broken wrist injury. Jackson confirmed on Instagram earlier today that she did suffer a broken wrist injury and posted a photo of her hand and arm in a cast. Jackson stated “Break my bones… but I’ll find a way. 1st time having a bone break my entire life. For the mfs who thinks this is a game… it ain’t. Wait on it.”
• WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker announced on Instagram that he he has launched a Patreon for a new podcast series called “Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway” The Undertaker stated “I am really excited because I’ve been working on a project. It’s called Six Feet Under. So what I need you to do, tap on that link. It’s going to take you to my Patreon account. And there you’re going to receive exclusive content, not only of my wrestling career, my personal life, my views on things – just a whirlwind of all things Mark Calaway. So click on that link. Go over to Patreon and check it out.” Official synopsis: “The last 30+ years of being on the road as a professional wrestler has led to many stories in and out of the wrestling ring. Mark will be sharing weekly stories that you probably have never heard before and taking you down memory lane with some of his most epic matches that we all loved. So, if you are interested in the world of pro wrestling and getting a behind the scenes look into the life of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, well grab your shovel and get ready to go Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway!”
• Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE did not end up keeping indie wrestler Jason Cade as a producer for the company following his producer tryout earlier this year. It was reported that the reason for WWE’s decision is currently not known.
• 2K Games recently released a new DLC pack and Bad Bunny Special Edition version for WWE 2K23 featuring Bad Bunny becoming a playable character for the in-game roster.
• As noted before, Nia Jax made her return to WWE this past September and has been signed with the company since this past August. In a recent interview with the WWE After The Bell with Corey Graves podcast, Jax gave her thoughts about her recent return to WWE. Jax stated “I started watching the product again to see how things were going. There was so much new talent I could work with. Hearing the reaction at the Rumble, knowing people still remember the Nia Jax character, I was like, ‘I wonder if my character could help any of these new girls.’ I’m not saying I’m some guru, but I know that Nia Jax is a great heel. I believe that every babyface needs an incredible heel to feed off of. I thought, ‘a good monster heel could be needed at the moment.’ I remember I was talking to Sara Amato because she was my coach at NXT and she was like, ‘You look great, you look incredible. You’re made for wrestling. You should try again.’ ‘Really? I would love to, but I’m not sure.’ She was like, ‘Just text Hunter. Text him.’ I texted Hunter, ‘Hey, I was wondering if you had a spot for me to come back.’ Like two minutes later he was like, ‘Yeah, let’s talk. Let’s chat soon.’ It snowballed from there. I didn’t really know when I was going to return, we just chatted about a possible time because he’s so incredibly busy. Nobody knew when it was going to be. Possibly SummerSlam, after SummerSlam, we didn’t know. Finally, I got the call, ‘Hey, you’re needed.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• During the same interview, Jax gave her thoughts about the online criticisms she received during her first run in WWE and how that negatively affected her following her release in 2021. Jax stated “I, obviously, can’t deny that I get a lot of hatred online. In the beginning, I was like, ‘Oh, this will be good, this will be good for the character’ but at the end of the day when you’re by yourself and you’re on your phone and you’re looking at the constant hate, hate, hate, then you’re just second-guessing yourself. It really messed me up,” she continued. “It got me into such a sad place that when I got released, I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course, why not? I suck, everybody hates me.’ Like there’s no need for me to be here anymore. I don’t think anybody who is a happy person goes online and s**ts on other people. I had to put it in perspective like, ‘Okay, this is a character.’ And in WWE, Nia Jax is blended with Lina because it’s not like they run credits like Nia Jax: Lina Fanene. Okay, somebody must be going through something to actually sit there online, pick somebody apart for no reason. It’s just like a bully in school. They are unhappy, that’s why they’re picking on you.” (Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com)
• As noted before, Lacey Evans was released by WWE this past August. In a recent interview with the Power Alphas podcast, Evans stated that she almost got into several backstage fights because of her mouth during her time in WWE. Evans stated “Not that I gave a shit to begin with, how I lasted seven years in WWE, this same mouth is the same one backstage. I can’t tell you how many damn fights I almost got into. I verbally told them, every time, ‘I’ll work at McDonald’s before I ever sit back and have anybody talk to me the way you talk to me because you feel I owe you something.’ The only thing I owe is working my ass off to have a good match. Back here, there is no damn way I’m going to let anybody talk to me just because you’ve walked roads that I haven’t walked. It’s been a few times. Luckily, the powers that be liked me enough to…each year, I just got a little more. WWE has been great to me, they’ve been awesome, I invested every bit of my money, I haven’t taken out loans. I have investment properties, real estate, I have a full business paid for. I’m in a good place because I was smart. That addiction doesn’t stop. Every day, just like the power alphas that are on this podcast, every day, we wake up, and it’s not if, it’s when, and we have to be ready to fight that head on, whatever it may be. A lot of people don’t have that mindset. You can tell an alpha from where they end up. It’s not always the ones holding a title above their head. Sometimes, it’s the ones that never got to touch that shit because we are alphas. I’m not standing outside of doors anymore waiting on answers that whoever the powers that be can’t even look me in the eye and tell me. I don’t have time for that. I’ll be damned if I’m going to live like that and have people talk to me a certain way because they feel that I owe…I don’t owe anybody a damn thing because I work my ass off every day.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• WWE’s Fastlane 2023 event earlier this month in Indianapolis, Indiana reportedly has currently generated around 10,000 pay-per-view buys from traditional cable PPV providers, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE’s creative process for Roman Reigns has mostly remained the same since Vince McMahon’s removal from creative. It was reported that Reigns and Paul Heyman still have a very heavy input in creative plans and direction for Reigns. WWE backstage producer Michael Hayes reportedly is still the main person when it comes to putting together The Bloodline-related angles, matches, interviews, and segments on shows. In regards to Reigns’ current feud with LA Knight, it was reported that WWE already had plans in place for Reigns and Knight to engage in a feud for Crown Jewel 2023 well before McMahon’s removal from WWE Creative.
• In a recent interview with WWE Die Woche, Cody Rhodes gave his thoughts about why his Fastlane 2023 post-show press conference with Jey Uso was a Top Ten moment of his career. Rhodes stated “Well, afterwards, I told Jey, ‘That might have been a top ten moment of my career.’ One of the things you can’t see in the press conference is that the media wasn’t really asking…they were just kind of oogling us, and they’re normally a little bit quicker with the questions. A lot of the humor and what was happening, we were just lingering on it. You’ve seen the video, I have no defense for the video other than we were having a very great time. I don’t know if I can top it, press conference wise, I don’t know if I want to try to top it. Next time, I’m just coming in with a sheet of paper, maybe read some stats, some technical information. I refuse to treat the press conferences as if they are part of the show. I like them to be that comment in the night where we let our guard down a little bit, we do pull the curtain back a little bit, and we talk to…there are members of the media who really want that and then there are members of the media who want a little different. For me, I really love those. I don’t know if I’ll be welcome back or invited back. I don’t know if I can top it. It was a top ten career moment, that press conference.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In a recent interview with the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Tommaso Ciampa gave his thoughts about his current lack of interest in wanting to go back to WWE’s NXT brand. Ciampa stated “Performance-wise, I don’t think so (if he’d want to return to NXT). I think there’s a door that’s very open for guys like myself and Johnny (Gargano) because of loyalty, because of the way we handle ourselves outside of the ring, professionalism and stuff that like — there’s a spot producing, coaching, something. Yeah, I’m just not done performing. Like, physically. I know my body sometimes just tells me like, hey, stop. But really, mentally, I’m not anywhere close. So that wouldn’t — before I would do something like that, the option would be well, no, it’s the Ring of Honor option. It’s the, I think I can do this thing that’s really special. I’m gonna go do it… Please give me the opportunity to do it here. But if not, I’m still gonna go do it.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
• In a recent interview with the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani show, Rey Mysterio gave his thoughts about Adam Copeland, former Edge, recently leaving WWE and joining AEW. Mysterio stated “I was shocked. We had just spoken a week before that. Not that I expected him to tell me anything. We never had the time to even talk about what was next. I saw him in his last match, ‘we’ll be in touch.’ We call each other every now and then. Next thing you know, I didn’t even see, it was on social media the following day. ‘Did you see?’ ‘No, what happened.’ They showed me (his debut). ‘Wow, I didn’t see that coming.’ I imagine he has his reasons on why and I can’t wait to sit down and chop it up with him.It’s always good to have an option. At the end of the day, that was his decision. That’s what made him feel good, take it. I would say that about anyone who would have done it. The fact that we have a great connection doesn’t mean we can dictate what he should want or doesn’t want. Overall, it was shocking because I thought he was going to re-sign with the company or figure out what he wanted to do, whether movies, or stick around for some more time.” Mysterio also stated that his reaction as due to his belief that Copeland would have been a lifer in WWE. Mysterio stated “Yes, I think that’s why it shocked so much. He was a home guy.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

AEW & ROH

• Brock Anderson’s contract with AEW reportedly recently expired and he has left the company, according to PWInsider. Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that AEW officials had sent an internal email on Friday evening informing talent and staff of Anderson’s departure from the company. Johnson reported that AEW officials have left the door open for Anderson to potentially return to the company in the future similar to other talent who have been released. AEW recently removed Anderson’s profile from their roster page on their official website.
• MJF reflected on Twitter earlier today about how 2023 has been the most “physically and emotionally” challenging year of his life. MJF stated “This will feel random but I just wanted to say I’ve been doing this since I was 18 and there were times I questioned if I belonged or if I was good enough to be involved in something I hold at such a high regard. 2023 has been a year that has challenged me more physically and emotionally than any year of my life. One day I’ll tell everyone what stuff went down in my personal life…. But it’s also been the most amazing year as well. I can say confidently I’ve never loved this sport more. I’m excited for the present and the future. I wanted to thank everyone who ever told me I was great. And everyone whoever told me I wasn’t good enough. It all drives me to reach for my ultimate goal of going down as one of the greats. Thanks for following my career. Thanks for loving something I cherish and hold dearly. Thank you Poors.”
• As noted before, Darby Allin made an appearance at this past Thursday’s Nitro Circus event in Forth Worth, Texas to perform a stunt jump on a bike. Besides revealing that he is currently dealing with a potential fractured shoulder injury, Allin also revealed a new tattoo that was inked on his face and neck.
• In a recent interview with the Notsam Wrestling podcast, Pat Buck gave his thoughts on his reasons why he wanted to return to the ring for AEW. Buck stated “I never really had [a run]. Of course, you want that, but I also would be so embarrassed to be the guy trying to get that. I know that’s wrestling. People say, ‘Don’t be in this unless you want to be world champion.’ I beg to differ. Myers [Brian Myers] always says, ‘There are only so many spots for this.’ Know where you are, it doesn’t mean you can’t rise to something. I came on board, it was a conversation with me and Tony [Tony Khan], in terms of wrestling, relating back to Create A Pro alumni, ‘Hey, we really don’t have a developmental place.’ I wasn’t pitching Create A Pro or anything, but I went, ‘You have these people that are basically champions. They didn’t come to be from me just coaching them, I did every drill with them, I wrestled them on shows. I wrestled them at birthday parties. I think I’m a proven asset in that.’ You have all these guys on the roster. I remember looking at Powerhouse Hobbs, Satnam Singh, and I went, ‘give them to me on dark matches or live events. I can get ten minutes out of Satnam Singh.’ You only get better from wrestling someone better than you. Let me be the person to do that. I want to be your Brad Armstrong, your Irish Barry Horowitz. On live events, I can go longer with people. That’s how it came to be, an actual player-coach. [Tony] thought I didn’t want to wrestle. I want to do it, but I want to do it from an actual benefit of the talent. Part of me, I wanted to show my kids, ‘Daddy does this.’ I don’t care about championships. I’m a coach, let me be a player-coach. I’m the only person who wasn’t pitching to wrestle. ‘I do want to wrestle, I love wrestling, but I can’t have it interfere with what I do full-time. Here is what I want to do because I want to wrestle from a coaching perspective, not winning titles, that ain’t me.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In the same interview, Buck also revealed that he was the producer for the Adam Cole vs. MJF match for the AEW World Championship at this past August’s AEW All In event at Wembley Stadium. Buck stated “I know if I said that, I would offend people (Buck responded when asked what’s his favorite match he’s produced in AEW)… I mean, there is something special to being the agent on the main event of Wembley. That speaks for itself.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
• As noted before, this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Rosenberg, Texas featured Sting announcing that he will be retiring from wrestling after AEW’s Revolution 2024 event. In a recent episode of the Strictly Business with Eric Bischoff podcast, co-host Eric Bischoff gave his thoughts about Sting getting to retire from wrestling on his own terms. Bischoff stated “Happy for him. I think anytime somebody who has been in the public eye, and in a career like professional wrestling in particular, has an opportunity to end their career the way they want to under their own terms, that’s always a great thing. I’m happy for Steve Borden, I’m happy for the fans who’ve been a fan of the character Sting for a long time. When it plays out really well and is all said and done, Steve Borden is sitting on a rocking chair in Dallas, Texas watching the sun set, where he can look back at this part of his career and smile, because that’s what it’s all about.” Bischoff also gave his thoughts on if AEW will see a potential spike in viewership during Sting’s retirement tour. Bischoff stated “Hard to say, depends what they do. What’s the build up look like, is there a story leading up to it, how much promotion does it get, how much attention does it get? Remains to be seen. Do I think it can? Absolutely I think it can. Do I think it will? Who knows, we’ll find out.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• AEW CEO Tony Khan recently thanked Salvador Lutteroth and CMLL on Twitter for allowing Mistico to work at an AEW show and for the start of a potential working partnership between both companies. Khan stated “Thank you @CMLL_OFICIAL + Mr. Salvador Lutteroth, it was an honor to host you at @AEW, and I’m very excited about CMLL + AEW working together & excited for a great weekend of @AEWonTV starting TOMORROW with Mistico vs Rocky Romero CMLL Pound-for-Pound Crown on #AEWRampage on TNT!“
• As noted before, Julia Hart and Lee Johnson got married on October 13th. Hart recently announced on Twitter that Jerry Lynn was the officiant at her wedding to Johnson.
• As noted before, Adam Cole has been out of action for AEW since this past September due to an ankle injury. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated Cole recently had surgery on both of his ankles with the second surgery on October 12th. Meltzer reported that AEW officials currently do not have any timetable for Cole’s potential return from injury.
• AEW’s WrestleDream event on October 1st reportedly is currently estimated to have generated between 108,000 to 120,000 pay-per-view buys, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer reported that WrestleDream did not manage to generate a big bump in late buys purchases and is currently around 4.7% lower than what AEW’s All Out 2023 event did for cable television PPV buys. Meltzer also reported that WrestleDream’s streaming buys are up 25% compared to All Out 2023.
• In a recent interview with the Hall of Fame with Booker T & Brad Gilmore podcast, Mark Henry gave his thoughts about MJF being a very helpful person for other wrestlers backstage in AEW. Henry stated “I think that he’s polarizing enough that, every show, you already market the fact that MJf is gonna be there. For him not to be greedy, when he could be, he could say, ‘No, I don’t want Adam Copeland, I don’t want Bryan Danielson. I don’t want Samoa Joe, I don’t want a CM Punk.’ I want the spotlight for myself. [That] means that he is a guy that wants the greater good, that wants to be successful, not by the means of ‘It’s just me,’ but successful by the means of the organization of the program that you’re trying to build. He is brilliant beyond his years. You walk in the locker room, and he helps with production. He helps with helping write for people that can’t do it for themselves. He goes and supports, and you see him going through what camera angles to take. He’s 20-some years old. You don’t find that very often. To have that understanding, I’m like where the hell did you get this from? Where’d you get that from? That’s just him, he pays attention, and he understands that it’s not just about him. If he wanted to take it, there’s nobody there that could stop him.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• MJF was recently revealed to be the voice actor for Killer Croc in the recently released animated film Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part Two.

Impact, NJPW, Indies, & Misc. Wrestling

• PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Konnan and Juventud Guerrera were seen in Chicago ahead of tonight’s Bound For Glory 2023 event for Impact Wrestling. Johnson reported that it is currently not known if Konnan and Guerrera will be making an appearance during the event but both are currently scheduled to work at this Sunday’s Lucha Festival event for Impact prior to that night’s Impact! television tapings.
• PWInsider’s Mike Johnson also reported that his sources stated that the X-Division Championship match of KENTA vs. Chris Sabin (c) is currently scheduled to be the opener match for tonight’s Impact’s Bound For Glory 2023 event.
• Impact Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their Turning Point 2023 event on October 27th in Newcastle, England. This is a singles match of Joe Hendry vs. Simon Miller.
• In a recent interview with the Under The Ring podcast, Mickie James gave her thoughts about Trinity’s decision to join Impact. James stated “It was a huge move, I think it was a great choice and a great fit for her as well. I love IMPACT so much and I have a lot of love and loyalty for them for how they promote the women and promote the knockouts, and the freedom of your character, the freedom of the match styles and time, and the true equality across the board. I think it was a great fit for me and of course, I was really sad to be out and relinquish the title, but then, I knew Trinity was looking to find her place and where she was going, it was just a matter of time to find out where she was going to end up. I knew she was going to shine no matter where she went, and I’m grateful she chose IMPACT because I do think she is so different than any other Knockout — and that’s one thing about the Knockouts locker room, every woman is so different and dynamic, and that makes for a good mix back there. Yeah, I was excited to see her come in and obviously, she came in, she made her mission known that she wanted to be champion, which I don’t blame her. If you don’t want to be champion, I don’t know what you’re doing honestly, because that’s the end goal — maybe that’s a championship mindset. In my opinion, you should always want to be the best and if you’re not [looking] for that, you’re wasting time whether it’s my time, the company’s time, time is way too valuable to waste and you should never settle for less than the best, and the people have really gotten behind her. I feel like they’ve fallen in love with her in a whole other capacity.” James also ave her thoughts about Trinity winning the Impact Knockouts World Championship. James stated “I was honored, I was honored to see her come in and shine. In fact, I was cleared for a while, I’ve been cleared for a while before I came back for IMPACT 1000. But, I was so excited for my friend and I was so excited to see her winning and glowing and seeing the IMPACT Zone just really embrace her as their champion. It was beautiful. But also, as I’m sitting there in the wings watching her shine with her title, it was bittersweet because I’m watching my friend shine and glow, but I still had that quest for gold and I still had that piece of me eating at me going, ‘You didn’t lose that.’ I was on a real high after the last rodeo and to be sidelined with an injury is really frustrating, it just kind of put a stop to everything. I was in a weird place about it, but coming back at IMPACT 1000, I think it reset and reminded me of why I love this business so much, and the people, and the electricity in the building, and the fire you feel when you’re out there. It was like, ‘Oh yeah, I do love this so, so much.“(Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In the same interview, James gave her thoughts about Traci Brooks, Mike Tenay, and Don West being inducted into Impact’s Hall of Fame. James stated “I think all three of them, a long time coming, you know? (James said about Traci Brooks, Mike Tenay & Don West going into IMPACT Hall of Fame). I adore Traci. She is the O.G., the O.G. Knockout. I think the first woman to ever be featured in Playboy. I mean don’t quote me on that but certainly the first Knockout and she’s just a great, great woman and an incredible friend. As far as Mike Tenay and Don West, again, a long time coming. Mike is in a whole ‘nother world all his own but I think Don West, I have such a great relationship with him and he’s truly, truly missed and I think that his voice alone and especially on house shows because I was on all the live events at the time of Hardcore Country coming to life I guess in 2010, 2011, 2012 and Don was on all of those house shows and his voice and his energy was just infectious and his love and his passion for wrestling and for the fans to get them fired up. It was just really, really special and I think that the entire IMPACT community really misses him and I think we’re all honored to be able to honor him and Mike side by side because those two together were, you know, like peanut butter and jelly, I guess.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
• In a recent interview with the Busted Open Radio podcast, Trinity gave her thoughts about how her current run in Impact has lifted up her self-esteem, allowed her to achieve her goals she wanted for her career, and unlock untapped potential since being released from WWE. Trinity stated “It’s very reassuring, and it makes me happy, and it makes me feel fulfilled in a lot of ways. This wrestler journey, especially as a woman, it’s not an easy road. There are a lot of highs and lows, and somewhere along my career, I stopped feeling — I didn’t feel like I was of value to the women’s division, I wasn’t a star. Those things really started to set in my head, which is also why I think it led me down this road to really figure it out and prove for myself, not for anybody else, that I belong in this world in this business, and that I am a game changer, and that I am a star. I really needed it to prove that to myself, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Even with all the negativity that happened with my situation, I really feel that it led me to where I am now, to IMPACT, and to be given this opportunity to prove myself, for myself. I hope that, in the future, it inspires others that when one door closes just know, as long as you keep going, that you can find your way through another door.“
• In the same interview, Trinity also gave her thoughts about how her current run in Impact is proving people. Trinity stated “Oh 1,000%. I saw the comments and what people were saying about me and it lit a fire in me. It just made me tell myself, ‘No, girl, you ain’t going out like this, you gotta get up and get out there and finish this in a better way for myself’. And I feel that I’m doing that in IMPACT. So that makes me feel good, you know? Also, no matter what you do, there are just going to be people against you, and they are just not going to be on your team. I’m good. I feel fulfilled within myself. I feel like, now, nothing can shake me anymore. I’m in such a good space mentally, physically, and emotionally with everything. I feel like my life is in a way better balance now than it was ever before and I just want to keep going because I love this. I love it. it’s fun for me. It’s great therapy for me to continue performing. I’ve been performing since I was eight years old. That’s what I do. That’s what I love to do. Wrestling is so beautiful because it combines all of these different factors of performing, entertainment, and theatrics. You can sing if you want, you can act if you want, you’re wrestling, you’re physically active, and I just love that I have a world and a place where I can combine all those things that I love and do and bring people happiness because in return, that brings me happiness.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In a recent interview with NJPW’s official website, Yuya Uemura gave his thoughts about the process that led to his recent stint in Impact. Uemura stated “I was still in LA, and when I wrestled at an indie show, Rocky was there. I told him I wanted to wrestle more in America, and Rocky made the introduction to IMPACT. I thought I would just have a match or two, but they told me to be on every show, and that’s what happened.” Uemura also gave his thoughts about how his work with Joe Hendry in Impact helped broaden his horizons about wrestling. Uemura stated “Haha! Yeah, maybe some NJPW fans might have done a double take, but it broadened my horizons when it came to wrestling. I think I had this fixed idea of NJPW is the only pro wrestling, and pro wrestling has to be a certain way, but getting to do that helped break that idea down.”
• Former Pro Wrestling NOAH talents Yasutaka Yano and Kinya Okada were recently arrested in Japan over charges of suspicion of molestation from an incident involving a woman this past April, according to Tohoku Broadcasting. It was reported that the police stated that Yano and Okada are “suspected of committing an obscene act of touching the body of a woman in her 20s in a building in Sendai City around 12:30 a.m. on April 16 this year.” Yano and Okada had both left NOAH this past June after being granted their releases from the company.
• In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Will Ospreay stated that he is still in negotiations with New Japan Pro Wrestling for a potential new contract but Impact Wrestling is one of the options he is currently considering for a potential new home for his career. Ospreay stated “The deal is up in February, and we’re still in negotiations. I’m looking to explore every single option and every single avenue. IMPACT Wrestling is in the running for my next home. I’m willing to test the waters. So this match against Mike Bailey is a real treat for me, and I’m excited to do it, especially with what could happen next year.“
• Former WWE talent Mustafa Ali recently announced on Twitter that he his currently auctioning off all of his previously worn ring gear with all of the proceeds generated going directly towards the Helping Hand USA charity foundation who help provide humanitarian relief to those in afflicted areas of the world, including those in Palestine affected by the on-going Israeli-Hamas War.
• Game Changer Wrestling recently announced two new matches for the card of their Si or No? event on November 4th in Atlanta, Georgia. The first new match is a GCW World Championship match of Tank vs. Blake Christian (c). The second new match is a GCW Tag Team Championship match of Violence Is Forever (Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku) vs. Los Macizos (Ciclope & Miedo Extremo) (c).
• West Coast Pro recently announced one new match for the card of their Whiplash event on November 17th in San Francisco, California. This is a singles match of Masha Slamovich vs. Johnnie Robbie.
• As noted before, Matt Riddle was released from WWE this past September. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Riddle has been in recent talks with several wrestling, boxing, and MMA companies. Meltzer reported that the only companies currently confirmed and known to have been in talks are Pro Fighters League and Bare Knuckle Boxing. Meltzer reported that no official announcement is expected to be made from Riddle until after his non-compete clause with WWE expires this December. Meltzer also reported that Riddle’s non-compete clause also extends to boxing and MMA.
• Famous actress Suzanne Somers passed away at the age of 76 this past Sunday due to breast cancer. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Somers did have a tie-in with wrestling history. Meltzer reported that Somers’ ditzy blonde stereotype character Chrissy Snow on the Three’s Company show was one of two inspirations behind Melissa Ann Hiatt’s character of Missy Hyatt in WCCW, WCW and ECW. The other inspiration being from Lucille Ball character on the I Love Lucy show.