Various: Ricky Saints Relinquishes DEFY World Title, Mickie James on Potential Future In-Ring Return, Kevin Kelly on Interest in Potential NJPW Commentary Return

Ricky Saints Relinquishes DEFY World Title

DEFY Wrestling announced earlier today that Ricky Saints has relinquished his DEFY World Championship and they will be holding a new tournament to crown a new champion at their Super 8XGP event on March 15th in Seattle, Washington.

In a video posted by DEFY, Saints stated that the reason he is relinquishing his title is due to an opportunity knocked and he had to answer in reference to his recent signing with WWE for their NXT brand.

DEFY AFTERMATH

SAT. MARCH 15th | WA HALL

DEFY SUPER 8XGP will crown a new DEFY World Champion! Participants and matches will be announced soon.

Do not miss this historic event!

Tickets: https://t.co/gf7u4WnJdY pic.twitter.com/KiLUexkf0t

— DEFY Wrestling (@defyNW) February 28, 2025

Prior to the announcement, Saints had been the DEFY World Champion since DEFY’s Hundredth Event earlier this month.

---

Mickie James Comments on Potential In-Ring Return in Future

A recent episode of the Gabby AF podcast featured former TNA talent and current WWE LFG coach Mickie James as the guest. One of the topics discussed included James’ thoughts about her current involvement in WWE’s WWE LFG series and her interest in a potential in-ring return in the future.

“Absolutely. I think right place, right time, right moment. The season’s coming up, so I’m like, oh, maybe some free time on the horizon.”

James last wrestled in September of 2024 in the indies.

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

---

Kevin Kelly Comments on His Interest in Potential NJPW Commentary Return

A recent episode of BodySlam.net’s WrestleMobs podcast featured former AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling commentator Kevin Kelly as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Kelly’s thoughts about if he has had any talks with NJPW for a potential return to the company in the future.

“Chris [Charlton] and I talked about maybe me going back for Wrestle Kingdom, for Tanahashi’s last match. But I don’t think it went any further than that. I think it was something that he was gonna run up the flagpole, to see if anybody would salute. I would love to, but at this point in time, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Walker [Stewart] is doing a great job. They’re not looking to replace him. It would be to have me come in and add my point of view as the third man. If Walker couldn’t make it, for example, would I be available to do something? Yeah, sure. But I think again they can find ways to have Walker [work] those shows since they’re already paying him. But yeah, that’d be fun. I would love to go back for Wrestle Kingdom.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com