Various: Alex Hammerstone MLW Release Request Update, NJPW & CMLL Announces Full Lineup for Fantasticamania 2024, Indies

Alex Hammerstone MLW Contract & Release Request Update

As noted before, Alex Hammerstone asked for his release from Major League Wrestling this past October, which was denied by the company.

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed that Hammerstone’s recent comments on Twitter about his return to MLW at their Fightland 2023 event this past Saturday was part of the terms helping him secure his eventual release from the company.

It was reported that MLW officials and Hammerstone had reached an agreement where Hammerstone would return to the company and work in their current World Titan Federation storyline until the end of this year and in return he would be granted his release afterwards. This deal reportedly was finalized just days prior to MLW’s event this past Saturday.

It was reported that MLW officials had kept Hammerstone hidden from others at their event going as far to not even have him be in the building until it was time for him to make his return. Hammerstone reportedly was listed as “WTF Outsider” on MLW’s run sheets for the show.

It was also reported that baring a late deal being reached to keep him in the company, Hammerstone is currently set to be a free agent in 2024.

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NJPW & CMLL Announced Full List of Participants for Fantasticamania 2024

New Japan Pro Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre recently announced the full list of participants who will be making an appearance at their upcoming co-promoted Fantasticamania 2024 tour, which takes place from February 12-19, 2024 in Japan.

Official press release:

Fantasticamania participants revealed!

This February a two week festival of a tour will see the best of CMLL in Japan for Fantasticamania. This year’s lineup of lucha libre estrellas has been revealed and is as follows!

Mistico

Volador Jr.

Titan

Atlantis Jr.

Soberano Jr.

Dark Panther

Stigma

Ultimo Guerrero

Hechicero

Rocky Romero

Templario

Stuka Jr.

OKUMURA

And making their Japanese debuts:

Mascara Dorada

Pegasso

Brilliante Jr

Magnus

Difunto

Get ready for Fantasticamania across Japan and on NJPW World this February!

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

This past Sunday’s Guerra De Titanes 2023 event for Lucha Libre AAA featured Octagon Jr. defeating QT Marshall to become the new AAA Latin American Champion.

Maryland Championship Wrestling recently announced that Matt Riddle will be making an appearance for the company at their Winter Blast Tour event on February 3, 2024 in Hollywood, Maryland.

Sukeban’s next event on December 10th in Miami, Florida was recently revealed to be taking place at the Lot 11 venue.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that a new wrestling-based autobiographical book based on former WWE and Impact Wrestling referee Earl Hebner recently finished production and will be available for pre-orders soon. The title of this upcoming book is Earl Hebner: The Official Story.

As noted before, Stardom recently vacated their World of Stardom and Goddess of Stardom Championships due to issues related to injuries suffered by respective champions Tam Nakano and Natsupoi. In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, Bushiroad owner Takaaki Kidani gave his thoughts on his belief that issues with Stardom’s work schedule was the reason why several Stardom talent have recently suffered injuries. Kidani stated “The reason for the increase in injuries at Stardom is because of the unreasonable schedule. Next year, we will not hold big shows in the middle of the leagues.” (English translation via Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with The Edlow Podcast, Santino Marella gave his thoughts on his interest in CM Punk potentially signing with TNA Wrestling in the future. This interview was held prior to Will Ospreay signing with AEW. Marella stated “I just hope he wrestles, wherever it’s going to be. If he comes to TNA, oh my God, that’d be wicked. I’ve heard (that’s a rumor). I’ll have to talk to Scott [Scott D’Amore], if it’s real. He said they haven’t really been talking about it yet, but they were seen having a bite to eat or something like that. He would be an incredible asset. TNA is trying to get back to the former glory days of the next level … A guy like CM Punk and Will Ospreay, if they know that they can help take a company to the next level, that’s a huge feather in their cap. Not that they went to an established company and made more money. It becomes about legacy, sometimes. If they say, ‘When I came there, now we’re rivaling AEW.’ That’s huge. That’s a huge thing to be able to say that you did that. I hope that appeals to them as much as I want it to appeal to them. I’d love to see what they can do. I’d love to say, ‘Guys, we’re going to this stadium’ and jump to the next level of arena instead of 2,000 people, let’s get 12,000 people. We just need to get on a bigger channel where we’re in more households.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

Greektown Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their December 26th event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

• Greektown Championship – Channing Decker vs. Mike Santana (c)

Major League Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their One Shot event on December 7th in New York City, New York:

• MLW Featherweight Championship – Maki Itoh vs. Janai Kai (c)