Various: Sami Callihan on Impact Departure, Walker Stewart Confirms NJPW Signing, Lio Rush Dealing with Fever

Oct 4, 2023

Sami Callihan Comments on His Reasons for Leaving Impact

As noted before, Sami Callihan’s contract with Impact Wrestling expired at the end of this past September and has left the company.

Fightful held a recent interview with Callihan. One of the topics discussed included Callihan’s thoughts on the process that led to his decision to want to leave Impact.

“It is something that came up rather quick. I went through that horrendous leg injury and halted my career and put me at a stop still for almost a year and a half. Hell, I just started to feeling like typical Sami Callihan probably two months ago. It was one of those things, we are on extremely good terms. I’m not one to come say, ‘You know what, screw you. You’re a piece of shit. I’m gonna bury your company.’ I would never do that. I don’t want to do that because I do love IMPACT Wrestling. It’s one of those things, we could not come to an agreement on what I need to be paid to stay because I believed I offered more than what was really happening. In professional wrestling, I think I’m more than just a professional wrestler at this point. I think I’ve proven that time and time again. I think my fingertips and blueprint is all over professional wrestling, not only on an independent scale, on national television scale at his point. We just could not come to terms. I think both parties thought we were gonna figure out something, so it kept kinda getting pushed back and pushed back. Then when push came to shove, it just didn’t work out.”

Callihan also gave his thoughts about the possibility of signing a new deal with Impact in the future.

“100%. At this point in my career, it’s not like I’m some young upstart just fiending for a contract at this point. It’s one of those things, with IMPACT I think it really did get pushed ‘til the last minute because I don’t think as many people knew my contract was coming up like it did. Because my contract was supposed to end last December, but because my leg got broken—we talked about this before—I was supposed to be out of my contract December 30th of last year. I broke my leg and like any contract, I got time tacked onto that. I don’t even think I kept extremely good track of it. It’s like, ‘Yo, my contract’s coming up, contract’s coming up, contract’s coming up.’
People kept asking me and asking me and asking me, and I think I just put it so far back into my brain, I don’t think I even realized how close it was to coming up. It’s one of those things, look ‘to-may-to, to-mah-to,’ whatever happens happens. Professional wrestling is professional wrestling. There’s no hard feelings. I know I’m extremely motivated right now. As you said, people are pushing for me at one company, at other companies. There are people pushing for me in a lot of companies right now. Because I do have that reputation with certain people in the business, because I’m never one to be, ‘Oh, I helped this guy or helped this guy or helped this guy.’ I truly do say this, it’s not just me blowing smoke up people’s ass. My blueprints and my fingerprints are all over professional wrestling to the point I don’t think people understand or really know that that’s the case.”

Callihan also gave his thoughts on his current plans for the future of his wrestling career.

“Great content. In today’s day and age, content equals money. Content equals everything. We’re in a rare time in society that anything you do is gonna be put out for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years. I want to leave my mark, not only on professional wrestling, but just people in general. I’ve always lived my life like that. I’m never just gratified by one thing. I’m never content by like, ‘You know what? I’ve been World Champion, I’ve wrestled for every promotion on the planet.’ That’s not good enough for me. I want to continue to evolve. I want to continue to recreate myself. I want to continue to make other people. I want to continue to take people that I think have potential and help them get to that next level because I’ve seen someone that you have your hands on make it to the next level, getting on television, scoring the contract, having their entire life change. That? That’s it’s own form of gratification.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Walker Stewart Confirms Signing with NJPW as New Lead English Commentator

As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling recently hired Walker Stewart to be their new lead English commentator following Kevin Kelly’s upcoming departure from the company.

Stewart recent announced on Facebook that the reports of him signing an official contract with NJPW to be their new lead English commentator. Stewart also stated that he will be making his official commentary debut for the company at their NJPW Strong Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2023 event on October 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I am beyond honored, blessed, and excited to announce that I have officially signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling to serve as the Lead English Broadcast Commentator across all NJPW events. —-️
Many who enter the world of professional wrestling do so with the intention of working in front of sold-out arenas all across the world, meeting incredible fans who share the same passion for the sport, and supporting a family and a lifestyle doing the thing they love to do the most. This is the same goal I entered with as well, and tonight I can announce that this dream has become a reality.
It took 26 months. 802 days. 19,230 hours. 15 states. 63 promotions. 212 events. Producing. Commentating. Announcing. Setting up rings. Popping popcorn. Driving states away just for an opportunity to showcase what I can do.
All of it to become the youngest signed international broadcast commentator in professional wrestling at 21 years old.
I feel a profound sense of honor, an overwhelming wave of emotion, and an immense gratitude that words can hardly convey. So many people have played pivotal roles in shaping my path, recognizing my unwavering dedication, and propelling me forward in ways I could never have imagined, let alone asked for. To those tagged in this post, both within and beyond the wrestling world, you have been my guiding light and mentors, and I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. A special thank you goes out to Kevin Kelly and Bob Evans, whose guidance has been invaluable on this journey.
I’ve never failed to express my love for professional wrestling and those who are in it, and it’s a very kind feeling to find that professional wrestling can and will love you back.
On July 24, 2021, the journey began. On October 28, 2023, the journey evolves as I make my NJPW broadcast debut in Las Vegas, Nevada for New Japan Pro Wrestling: Fighting Spirit Unleashed, airing LIVE on FITE TV.
Let it be known that this journey is far from over; it’s a path that stretches on indefinitely. The goalposts have shifted, and my vision is clearer than ever before. This achievement stands as a testament to the undeniable truth that hard work pays off. I am living proof of that.
I’ve never been more ready for uncharted territory. NJPW and the independent wrestling world at large will continue to get the best of me every single night, and I’m motivated to serve the NJPW audience well.
Thank you.”

Lio Rush Pulled from This Week’s NJPW Events Due to Fever Illness

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that they had pulled Lio Rush from today’s Road to Destruction 2023 event in Iwate due to him recently falling ill with a fever. It was also announced that they have also pulled Rush from this Thursday’s Road to Destruction 2023 event in Aomori for similar reasons.

It was also announced that Ryosuke Taguchi will be replacing Rush for his scheduled matches.

Official press release:

Lio Rush absent from dates due to illness
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Due to illness, Lio Rush will be absent from live events this week in Iwate and Aomori. Rush will be replaced by Ryusuke Taguchi October 4 and 5.
We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Lio wrestle and appreciate your understanding.
NJPW joins fans in wishing Lio a full and fast recovery.