Various: Mustafa Ali Reportedly Not Under Contract with TNA or NJPW, Mike Santana on His Current Free Agency, Indies

Mustafa Ali Reportedly Not Under Contract with TNA or NJPW

As noted before, former WWE talent Mustafa Ali made his official debuts for TNA Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling this past January.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that their sources stated that despite Ali being the current X-Division Champion, he is currently not under an actual contract with TNA. Sapp reported that Ali’s current deal with TNA is a per-appearance type deal and he is still a freelancer.

In regards to NJPW, Sapp reported that Ali is also currently not under a contract with them either and is also under a per-appearance type deal as well.

Sapp also reported that some televised wrestling companies are currently interested in potentially working with Ali.

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Mike Santana Comments on His Current Free Agency

As noted before, Mike Santana departed from AEW earlier this month and is currently a free agent.

A recent episode of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast featured Santana as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Santana’s thoughts about his current free agency period and if he has had any talks with WWE since leaving AEW.

“Yeah, I’ve had some discussions. I’ve been very open with everybody. Right now, I’m just going where I’m going to be able to grow the most. I don’t wanna just be another guy on the roster, I’ve already did that. I want to be a part of something. I want to do something special. Thankfully, I’ve been smart with money and I’m not hurting and I’m taking my time with things and I just wanna have fun.”

Santana also gave his thoughts about his interest in a potential return to TNA Wrestling in the future.

“Everything is on the table. Everything. And they’re doing great, they are doing amazing.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

WrestleCon recently announced that Ryo Saito, Saki, KZY, and Ram Kaicho will be making an appearance for the company at their WrestleCon 2024 event on April 4-7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New Texas Pro Wrestling recently announced that National Wrestling Alliance talents The King Bees (Charity King & Dani Bee) will be making an appearance at their May 11th show in Buda, Texas. It was also announced that The King Bees will be defending their NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship at the event.

Ace Steel recently announced that his new wrestling school called Foundation of Professional Wrestling School will officially open next month in Orlando, Florida.

As noted before, NJPW talent Alex Coughlin announced this past Sunday that he has retired from wrestling. NJPW talent and fellow Bullet Club War Dogs member and boss David Finlay recently reflected on Twitter about Coughlin’s retirement from wrestling. Finlay stated “War Dogs will never be the same and you can never be replaced. MD4L.“

NJPW recently announced that the Provisional King of Pro Wrestling 2024 match between Tanga Loa and champion Great-O-Khan at their Road to Sakura Genesis 2024 event on March 31st in Hamamatsu, Japan will be held under Rural Revitalization rules. This stipulation was suggested by Khan and was the winner of a recent fan vote poll. In regards to the rules of the match, NJPW stated that “the match will be contested in a two out of three rounds format: Round 1: ten minute most covers match (every pinfall attempt results in one point). Round 2: five minute eel eating contest. Round 3: strap match (competitors joined with a strap, and must touch all four corners consecutively).“

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced that Trish Adora will be making an appearance for the company at their Rather You Than Me event on May 3rd in Tampa, Florida and their May 26th event in Columbus, Ohio.

Joey Janela recently announced one new match for the card of GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 8 event on April 5th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

• Maki Death Kill (Maki Itoh & Nick Gage) vs. Danhausen & Ram Kaicho

Major League Wrestling recently announced that Mistico, Star Jr., Felino, Barbaro Cavenario, and Magnus will be making an appearance for the company at their Azteca Lucha event on May 11th in Chicago, Illinois.

MLW also recently announced one new match for the card of their MLW Fusion taping on March 29th in St. Petersburg, Florida:

• Star Jr. vs. Virus

Chicago Style Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their One Upon A Time In Chicago event on April 18th in Franklin Park, Illinois:

• Missa Kate vs. Skye Blue