Various: GCW Owner Brett Lauderdale on Matt Cardona’s 12/5 ROH TV Surprise Appearance & ROH Bookings, Steph De Lander Neck Injury Update, Indies

Dec 6, 2024

GCW Owner Brett Lauderale Comments on Matt Cardona’s Surprise Appearance for ROH & Match at ROH Final Battle 2024

Thursday’s ROH TV show featured GCW and indies talent Matt Cardona making a surprise appearance. During the show, Cardona came out and accepted Jericho’s open challenge for his ROH World Championship at Final Battle 2024, which takes place on December 20th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York.

In a recent interview with Fightful Select, Game Changer Wrestling owner Brett Lauderdale gave his thoughts about Cardona’s surprise appearance and him working for ROH.

“I’m Excited for Matt and excited for the fans. It will be a fun atmosphere at The Hammerstein Ballroom for AEW and I think things may have just gotten a little more interesting for GCW’s return to The Hammerstein Ballroom on January 19th…”

It was reported that their sources stated that AEW’s recent issues with GCW over recent controversial comments made by EFFY and Cardona’s bookings with ROH is not some sort of elaborate work being done by both companies.

Steph De Lander Neck Injury Status Update

As noted before, Steph De Lander has been out of action for TNA Wrestling and the indies since this past September due to a neck injury and surgery.

De Lander provided an update on Twitter stating that she had a follow up medical check with her surgeon on Thursday.

“Had my 6 week follow up appt with my surgeon today. THANK YOU to Dr. Andrew Cordover & the entire team for taking such great care of me. I will be back in the ring at 100% in no time thanks to you guys! 🙏🏼♥️💪🏼 #DrAndrewCordover #AndrewsSportsMedicine #SpinalFusion”

Had my 6 week follow up appt with my surgeon today. THANK YOU to Dr. Andrew Cordover & the entire team for taking such great care of me. I will be back in the ring at 100% in no time thanks to you guys! 🙏🏼♥️💪🏼 #DrAndrewCordover #AndrewsSportsMedicine #SpinalFusion pic.twitter.com/xCjSkzABW7
— STEPH DE LANDER (@stephdelander) December 4, 2024

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Friday’s World Tag League 2024 event for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Satsumasendai, Japan featured Los Ingobernables De Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito) emerging as the winner of B Block for this year’s World Tag League tournament. LIJ will be facing off against Bullet Club War Dogs (SANADA & Gabe Kidd) in the Finals of this year’s tournament at NJPW’s World Tag League 2024 Finals event on December 8th in Mashiki.

NJPW announced that they have recently partnered with Event Merchandising Ltd to launch a new NJPW Eurostore on December 9th for the region.

Thursday’s One Shot 2024 event for Major League Wrestling in New York City, New York featured guest creative director Eric Bischoff “firing” Alex Kane from the company following Kane’s victory over Bobby Fish in an UWFi Rules match on the show.

Thursday’s MLW One Shot 2024 event in New York City also featured former WWE talent Babatunde making his surprise official debut in the company. CONTRA Unit came out to the ring to confront Eric Bischoff leading to Bischoff making an impromptu match between CONTRA’s Mads Krule Krugger and Babatunder, formerly known as Babatunde, which was won by Krugger. Following the match, Krugger offered Babatunder the choice of joining his group or leaving in a body body which led to Babatunder agreeing to join CONTRA Unit as its newest member.

MLW recently announced that CMLL talent Persephone will be making an appearance for the company at their Kings Of Colosseum 2025 event on January 11, 2025 in North Richland Hills, Texas.

PROGRESS Wrestling recently announced that El Hijo del Vikingo will be making an appearance for the company at their Chapter 175: Unboxing VII The Curtain Call event on December 29th in London, England.

Thursday’s Impact! show for TNA Wrestling on AXS TV featured a mysterious “23” video airing for a mystery person. This video aired following PCO & Sami Callihan’s victory over The Good Hands in a tag team match on the show.

TNA recently announced that Steve Maclin will be the company’s official honorary ambassador for this year’s Toy & Food Drive on December 13-14 in Atlanta, Georgia.

TNA announced five new matches for the card of next week’s Impact! show on November 12th:

Six-Person Tag Team match – Nic Nemeth, Masha Slamovich, & Joe Hendry vs. FIR$T CLA$$ (AJ Francis & KC Navarro) & Tasha Steelz
Leon Slater & Laredo Kid vs. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
PCO & Sami Callihan vs. Jake Something & Hammerstone
Rosemary vs. Lei Ying Lee
Heather Reckless vs. Dani Luna

Ring of Honor announced two new matches for the card of next week’s ROH TV show on December 12th on HonorClub:

ROH Pure Championship – Matt Taven vs. Lee Moriarty (c)
Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup ROH Qualifier Tournament Four-way match – Athena vs. Billie Starkz vs. Red Velvet vs. Leyla Hirsch

Game Changer recently announced one new match for the card of their The People vs. GCW event on January 19, 2025 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York:

Los Desperados (“Cartwheel” Jack Summit, Arez, & Gringo Loco) vs. Super Crazy, Taijiri, & Little Guido