Various: NJPW Announces Anna Jay to Compete at NJPW Fighting Spirit 2024 Event, El Hijo Del Vikingo Makes In-Ring Return at AAA Event, Scott D’Amore Confirms He Attempted to Buy TNA

NJPW Announces Anna Jay to Compete at NJPW Fighting Spirit 2024 Event

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that Anna Jay will be making an appearance for the company at their Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2024 event, which takes place on November 8th at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts.

It was announced that Jay will be competing in a Four-way #1 Contender match for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at the event. Jay’s opponents for this upcoming match were not revealed.

Official press release:

Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2024 First Wrestlers announced

The first details for Fighting Spirit Unleashed 2024 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on November 8th are here!

Leading the charge is this year’s G1 Climax winner, Zack Sabre Jr., along with IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion David Finlay and STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd.

Also returning to U.S. soil are rising stars Shota Umino and Yota Tsuji, continuing to bring the Fighting Spirit to America, along with BULLET CLUB’s KENTA.

Also no stranger to the U.S. scene, Tomohiro Ishii returns after competing in several contender matches across the ocean this year.

There will also be a four-way match with the winner earning a chance at Mercedes Moné’s STRONG Women’s Championship.

The first participant is already announced: AEW star Anna Jay! After her participation in this year’s STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix, she’s hungry for more international success.

Who will the other challengers be? Stay tuned!


El Hijo Del Vikingo Makes In-Ring Return at Monday’s AAA TV Tapings

As noted before, El Hijo del Vikingo has been out of action for Lucha Libre AAA since this past February due to a right knee injury.

This past Sunday’s Origenes tapings for Lucha Libre AAA in Monterrey, Mexico featured Vikingo making his official in-ring return from injury.

Vikingo teamed up with Laredo Kid and Octagon Jr. in a Trios match against Belcegor, Emperador Azteca, & Taurus at the tapings, which was won by Vikingo’s team.


Scott D’Amore Confirms He Attempted to Purchase TNA Following His Firing by Anthem

A recent episode of the K/100 with Konnan & Disco podcast featured former TNA Wrestling President and current Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling owner Scott D’Amore as the guest. One of the topics discussed included D’Amore confirming the reports of him attempting to purchase TNA following his firing from the company by Anthem Entertainment this past February.

“I was really proud of the rebrand of TNA. It’s something I felt strongly and something that I advocated for and pushed for was to change the name back. Overseeing that changeover from IMPACT to TNA, I was like, I really thought we were, hey, here we are and I was looking forward to taking it to the next level. Didn’t play out that way. So, they’re doing their thing now. When I sat there for a bit, you know, I had to sit there. I had to be, you know, like a miserable, grumpy, old Italian for a while and be upset. I mean, it’s public record, I tried to buy the company. To set the record straight for those who try to say that I tried to buy it and then I got let go. I mean, I got let go and then I tried to buy it which is a more logical series of events so, it’s like, ‘Look, I think I know where I want this thing to go. I think I know where we can take it and I’m willing to put my money and others’ money where my mouth is’ and say, ‘Hey, let us acquire it and see what we can do with it.’ Ultimately, that was turned down so they continued to do their thing so once the bitterness and the hurt feelings and the anger and everything subsides, you sit there and go, ‘Okay, what’s next?’ So, one of the things is I’ve always wanted to be a conduit and I’ve taken heat over it, especially from Glenn (Gilbertti) and others over the years for making sure that Canadians get seen and get opportunities because it is really hard for someone who’s not American. The whole visa process and everything else and I think Maple Leaf Pro with its long history of Maple Leaf Wrestling and we got a great team together.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com