WWE: Karl Anderson on Texting Triple H Over Tama Tonga’s NJPW Contract Situation, Giulia WWE & Marigold Update, Update on Drew Gulak’s WWE Status

Apr 17, 2024

Karl Anderson Comments on Texting Triple H About Tama Tonga’s Expiring NJPW Contract

As noted before, this past Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Detroit, Michigan featured former New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Tama Tonga making his official debut in WWE.

A recent episode of the Busted Open Radio podcast featured Karl Anderson as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Anderson revealing that he had texted WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque following his appearance at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event to inform him of Tonga’s contract situation with NJPW.

“After my Tokyo Dome match in 2023, which Triple H let me do, because we signed back with WWE and I was still a champion in New Japan and he still allowed me to go do two more dates with New Japan Pro-Wrestling with no issue at all. But I remember texting Triple H and telling him, ‘Tama Tonga’s contract is coming up and I think Tama’s a full-blown can’t-miss if you ask me’ and he wrote back right away and it took a year to get it done but, like I said, I’m a big believer in stuff happening for a reason and now he’s here and yeah, the changes and being able — I think Vic (Joseph) called me ‘The Machine Gun’ on NXT recently and even just hearing that, kind of, still kind of crazy…”

Anderson also gave his thoughts about Tonga’s debut in WWE and his involvement in The Bloodline storyline.

“Yes, yes (I think Tama Tonga is a perfect fit for WWE) and look at him, I think he’s got the perfect look. I think he’s got exactly what WWE needs, wants and I think it’s great. To go back to what we were talking about with the college kids coming in straight to the WWE and not having any independent experience. I think it’s great that Tama’s had 15 or 16 years all in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, to come into WWE and to show them that experience and that he is ready for primetime. I think that it’s unlimited right now for what Tama Tonga can pull off in the WWE and I’m excited to watch. Just knowing he was coming last Friday, he had texted me and told me he was gonna show up in the city. He had no clue he was gonna debut that night either which is kind of WWE style. They’ll bring you in, then you gotta debut and they told him he was debuting and it was pretty fun to see — just watch my friend and my brother go through the fact that he knows he’s about to go on live national television for the first time ever really and I’m proud of him. I thought he knocked it out of the park. He looked amazing which he always does and I think he’s ready and I think the world’s ready for Tama and I think it’s added to the way he is. He’s an opinionated guy, he’s a charismatic guy, he’s a bit insane, which is part of, kind of what we all need and I can’t wait to see where he’s at. I’m so glad he’s in that Bloodline storyline because now he’s involved with the tippy top guys. He’s got Paul Heyman right there who’s always creatively the genius that he is. It doesn’t get much cooler, especially if you’re a BULLET CLUB fan and have followed for so long.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com

Giulia WWE Status Update Following Her Joining Marigold

As noted before, former Stardom talent Giulia recently agreed to a deal with WWE and is currently expected to be reporting to WWE’s Performance Center once she finishes up her remaining commitments. Those commitments include working for Rossy Ogawa’s new Marigold promotion.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan reported that his sources close to the situation stated that Giulia is currently expected to work at least a “handful” of matches for Ogawa’s Marigold promotion before reporting to WWE’s Performance Center by around late June to early July.

Those spoken to within NXT’s production and creative teams stated that while WWE could obtain the rights to Giulia’s current theme music from her time in Stardom, WWE officials currently do not have any plans to do so at the moment. In regards to her ring name, Brennan reported that WWE officials currently are planning for Giulia to keep her current ring name in the company.

In regards to a potential debut date, Brennan reported that the current belief within NXT is that she will be having her official NXT debut match at their Heatwave 2024 event on July 7th. Brennan reported that the current belief is that Giulia will be challenge for one of NXT’s Women’s Championships at the event.

Drew Gulak NXT Absence & No Quarter Catch Crew Tron Name Removal Update – Gulak Written Out of NXT at Tuesday’s NXT Show

As noted before, Ronda Rousey recently accused Drew Gulak of inappropriately touching her in a backstage incident during her time in the company, which was something Gulak confirmed but claimed it was just an accident. The April 9th NXT show was notable for Gulak’s absence and name removal from No Quarter Catch Crew’s group entrance video.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan reported that his sources stated that Gulak was not in attendance at Tuesday’s NXT show and his name was no longer listed as a member of the No Quarter Catch Crew on NXT’s internal roster list.

Tuesday’s NXT show featured Gulak being written out of NXT following an in-ring promo segment between No Quarter Catch Crew and The D’Angelo Family. During the segment, Tony D’Angelo mentioned that Demspy had asked them to “take care” of a member of their group, which Dempsey responded back that it was a matter of “taking care of some trash” and The Family did the industry some good in the process. D’Angelo responded back stating that he was owed payment and suggested being given the NXT Heritage Cup as payment, which Dempsey refused leading to a brawl between the two groups.

BOOM!

No Quarter Catch Crew just found out what it's like to mess with The D'Angelo Family 🤌#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Hjk2bSTXfl
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2024

Hey Charlie, he said no specifics!

You don't want to mess with @TonyDangeloWWE and his business dealings 😤#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/QbGOyvVAzc
— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2024

In a follow-up report, Brennan reported that those spoken about Gulak being written out of NXT stated that Gulak “won’t be back for a while, if at all.”