The voice of wrestling, Jim Ross has spoken up on his Grilling with JR podcast about ex-WWE star Lex Luger. Focusing particularly on why he believes Luger Should be in the WWE Hall of Fame. During his time in the ring, Lex Luger held multiple championships. While he never truly succeeded in WWE, Jim Ross feels it’s only a matter of time before he is inducted.

“I believe that Lex Luger will be in the WWE Hall of Fame,” Ross said.

Recent talk of Lex Luger and a hall of fam induction have been backed by both Corey Graves and Mick Foley. The latter of whom wrote a lengthy post dissecting the matter.

During his podcast, Jim Ross spoke at length about how he believes Lex Luger deserves to be included, despite the history. He also resurrected his frustrations with how the Hall of Fame ceremony is conducted. Stating how he hoped Lex Luger would get the right amount of time needed to tell his story.

“I think it will be a popular decision when it occurs because he will be allowed his two or three minutes he’s allocated, which we’ve talked about before is ridiculous. Don’t induct so damn many people. Have a manageable number of people so that they have the appropriate time using common sense, logic, to tell their story. He’s got a hell of a story to tell.”

Jim Ross Believes the Time is Now for Luger to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

Jim Ross alluded to previous inductees who had a rocky relationship with the company. However, he believes Luger’s induction will be sooner rather than later because telling is posthumously just doesn’t work as well.

“If they want to tell stories and they want a visual, Lex is obviously, thank God, still alive. Here’s a guy that will be rolled onto the stage to tell his story, he’s in a wheelchair. If you’re looking for a story, this could be a great story and a story of success because Lex found true happiness in his faith. I think that he’ll be in and I think it will be a great induction, I truly believe that. I think that some old wounds just don’t heal as quickly as others when you embarrass the company to some degree.”

There are a lot of names worthy of being in the WWE Hall of Fame. Lex Luger is one of them. Hopefully, Jim Ross’s words will be heard, and the right call will be made.

AEW star Anthony Ogogo is a man wrestling on borrowed time. The former Olympic boxer has not hidden the fact that he struggles with his left eye. After years of damage in the boxing ring, his career was cut short before he really got a chance in the professional ranks.

Now, sadly, it looks like his wrestling career could also be on the ropes. The news has just been confirmed that Anthony Ogogo is on the injured list after undergoing his tenth eye surgery.

However, despite the risk of the surgery, and the fact that Ogogo is already registered as blind in that eye, he refused to let that stop him. Remaining in character all the way to the operating room, he cut a promo that many wrestlers would love to give.

“Billy Gunn, you’re so lucky that I’m not in America right now. Because I would rip you limb from limb. I’d break every bone in your face and make your life not worth living.”

“You have no idea the pain I’m in right now, but you will do. I promise you, Billy Gunn, you will do. I’m going to make your life a living misery. I’m going to hurt you, Billy. There is no pain like watching your children get punished and pulverized in front of your face. You can do nothing about it. So, Billy Gunn, be lucky that I’m not there right now. Enjoy what time you have left with your boys because when I’m back soon, that time is numbered.” Anthony Ogogo declared, making it clear that he has plenty of unfinished business in AEW.

“I am Anthony Ogogo, The Guv’nor of AEW, and I am the hardest b—–d you’ll ever set eyes on.”

Heavy Surgery Won’t Slow Anthony Ogogo Down

The surgery is no simple procedure for Ogogo, and it remains to be seen if he will be cleared to wrestle again. Talking about the extent of work he needed, Ogogo explained. This is the 10th eye surgery because I’ve got so much scar tissue around my eye socket. They had to go through my nasal cavity, correct my septum, which was deviated when you smashed my face off the steel barricade. They had to fix the orbit and the medial section, and the orbital flaw, through my nose.”

Ogogo lacks experience in the wrestling ring but recently feuded with Cody Rhodes, trained at his Nightmare Factory before making his debut, and is now locked in a feud with Hall of Famer Billy Gunn.

Hopefully, it will not be too long before we see Anthony ‘the Guv’nor’ Ogogo back in an AEW ring.

NXT superstar Adam Cole was a guest recently on After the Bell with Corey Graves. The duo talked about the legendary PPV’s of old, and their recent resurgence under NXT, including the Great American Bash. However, it was another iconic event that dominated the conversation.

During their conversation they discussed the iconic Hell in a Cell structure and its legacy within WWE. Cole was quick to volunteer for a match inside the steel structure.

“I really really want to wrestle in a Hell in a Cell someday, cause I’m an absolute maniac.” Adam Cole said eagerly.

A wrestler like Cole could certainly put on quite a show in that structure. When asked who he would most want to face, he was also quick to answer. Giving two names, one past and one present who he would love to square off against.

 “In a perfect world, if past, present or future doesn’t matter, me vs. Shawn Michaels is the one I would love. If I’m picking current guys to possibly face right now, I’m going to go Kyle O’Reilly, I am. I feel like if I beat Kyle O’Reilly in Hell in a Cell, it’s over. Then I can move on, go back to going after the NXT Championship, then I can move on. Either Shawn Michaels or Kyle O’Reilly.”

I think there could be no denying that either match would be fantastic, and Adam Cole would be a perfect partner for Shawn Michaels in his prime. However, after their unsanctioned match at Stand and Deliver, a Hell in a Cell match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly would be something special.

There comes a time when every champion must move on. They pass the torch they have carried on to the next one in line. You had Stone Cold and The Rock, then you had John Cena, and right now, we have Roman Reigns. There will come a point when even the tribal chief will need to step aside.

Talking during a recent episode of Cheap Heat, the current head of the table was asked just that question. Who he thinks could assume his mantle when the time came? His answer was tactful, yet there was a clear candidate in his mind.

“At this point, my favorite is Drew McIntyre.” Roman Reigns answered emphatically.

“So in a perfect world, if there was an opportunity to pass the torch to him, he’s the one guy that has captivated my attention in that manner. But, at the same time, he ain’t there, and it’s only because I’m still here, so solid within my stronghold.”

“The flag is fully planted in, so I can’t even think about it now, but John [Cena] needed somebody to come in so he could move on and try new things and take care of his body. I will eventually need that, but there’s just no nobody at this point.”

Until now Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre have only crossed paths once, however, the idea of a feud between the two would be entertaining. As it stands, McIntyre is still chasing down Bobby Lashley while Roman Reigns is finally set for a singles clash with Edge.

Ever since debuting on NXT, Adam Cole has been a superstar on the rise. In Japan, he was part of one of the most dominant factions in wrestling. Coming to NXT, he recreated the same dominance with his new faction, Undisputed Era.

Talking during a recent interview with Talk Sport, Adam Cole discussed how surprised he was when it was announced that the group would be disbanded.

“It wasn’t this thing that we were preparing for, it was something that fell into our laps. We had very little time to process it or think about it.” Adam Cole said before addressing the question of whether it was the right thing to do or not.

“It’s never going to feel – especially when you have the chemistry we had – it’s never going to feel like the perfect time. However, I do think development wise for all of us individually, it’s been really, really important. I had the time of my life in the Undisputed Era – I really, really did – but I do think it was a good call.”

During their run in NXT, Adam Cole and Undisputed Era held 6 championships between them. They also won multiple NXT end of year awards, including best Tag Team for three consecutive years.

After almost 4 years of dominance, the group disbanded in April 2021. Roderick Strong has moved on to be the leader of the Diamond Mine. The other members, however, have continued as singles competitors.

Adam Cole is set to renew his rivalry with Kyle O’Reilly at the upcoming NXT Great American Bash PPV. This will be their first meeting since O’Reilly emerged victorious in their unsanctioned match at Stand and Deliver.

After NXT ratings dropped for their mid-week show, WWE made the decision to move to the Tuesday night slot. Ending the Wednesday night wars between the WWE’s black and gold brand and AEW Dynamite. While an unofficial ratings war, AEW emerged victorious.

When NXT moved to a Tuesday night, initial numbers looked good. While the move was seen initially as a good thing for the brand, the numbers now tell a different story.

However, looking back at the weeks since Wrestlemania 37, things are not looking great for the NXT Ratings. Recent figures show that ratings have dropped steadily each week since April. This week’s episode of NXT was a record low for the brand since the move pulling in just 636,000 viewers and a .13 rating in the all-important 18-48 demographic.

• Apr. 13: 805,000 / .22
• Apr. 20: 841,000 / .23
• Apr. 27: 744,000 / .22
• May 4: 761,000 / .18
• May 11 – 697K / .17
• May 18 – 700K / .15
• May 25 – 698K / .13
• June 1 – 668K / .19
• June 8 – 669K / .20
• June 15 – 695K / .19
• June 22 – 665K / .17
• June 29 – 636K / .13

The NXT ratings have arguably suffered in recent weeks as a result of the NBA playoffs, and the show will undoubtedly be hoping to turn things around in their go-home episode ahead of the next PPV.

However, WWE will be hoping that NXT ratings will improve with a solid Great American Bash pay-per-view later this month. A few matches have already been announced for the show, with Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly currently the most anticipated match on the card.

The end of the Pandemic Era of professional wrestling is fast approaching. More and more companies are announcing their return to live, fan attended events.

WWE has recently announced a long list of tour dates, including their highly anticipated return to Madison Square Garden.

Arguably one of the most famous and prestigious wrestling venues in the world, Madison Square Garden has seen its fair share of WWE events over the years. However, very few will carry with them the atmosphere of this return.

WWE will return to MSG for an episode of Smackdown on Friday, September 10th. Tickets for the event will be available through Ticketmaster and are scheduled to go on sale on Friday, July 9th at 10 am.

WWE Has a Long History with Madison Square Garden

The WWE has long used the Garden as a stop during their tours. However, this will mark the first time since October 3rd, 2015, that WWE has made a stop there. In the main event, John Cena defeated Seth Rollins for the United States Championship. With both Cena and the Garden returning to WWE programming, things are starting to get that normal feel once more.

Madison Square Garden has been home to many WWE firsts, including the debut Wrestlemania and Summerslam events. It was also the place where Mr McMahon tasted his first Stone Cold Stunner during the debut RAW taping in the arena.

While it will not be the first place WWE go with returning fans, the Garden will always be a memorable location for any WWE event.

Interestingly enough, the WWE title has changed hands sixteen times at Madison Square Garden, which is more than at any other wrestling venue.

Jim Ross is the voice of wrestling, for many fans. He has been there for many iconic moments for several different organizations through the years. However, being a veteran of anything does not make you immune to errors.

Since making the move over to AEW, Jim Ross has made a couple of blunders, but none quite so large as at the end of this week’s AEW Dynamite. JR accidentally referred to the show by the wrong company moniker just as they were going off the air.

As the show was going off the air Good ‘ol JR said “Tickets available at AEWtix.com. Folks, there’s nothing in your life that will top seeing a live WWE Dynamite,”

It is an easy mistake to make, especially for a man who has been in the business for so long. Especially when thinking about how many years he spent in WWE before joining AEW.

Naturally, fans were quick to jump on the error, many raising questions as to whether Jim Ross would face repercussions for his faux pas. Not one to hide from things, Jim Ross took to Twitter to address his slip of the tongue.

There were also those that came to JR’s defence, including Busted Open Radio host David LaGreca, who also took to social media to voice his support for the legendary voice of wrestling.

Jim Ross has been with AEW since its inception and is widely regarded as being the best commentator in the business. Usually flanked on commentary by Tony Schiavone and Excalibur, he has seen AEW through the pandemic era and back out onto the road.

Mistakes in the commentary booth are common, with all of the different AEW team members making them frequently. However, they do seem to stick longer when uttered by Jim Ross.

It has been announced that Chris Jericho is returning to the commentary booth this week on AEW Dynamite. The leader of the Inner Circle is no stranger to the commentary booth, having filled in on numerous occasions in the past.

Chris Jericho broke the news on his Instagram channel. He drew particular attention to the scheduled match between his Inner Circle protégé Sammy Guevara and Pinnacle frontman MJF.

“I’m returning to the commentary desk this Wednesday for the entire duration of #AEWDynamite!! And I’m very Excited to have a front row seat for @sammyguevara vs @the_mjf!! Im expecting this to be one of the most heated…and best…matches in @allelitewrestling history!!,

Chris Jericho Has Proven Himself on Commentary

There is no denying that Chris Jericho is one of the greatest wrestlers on the mic. His promos are some of the best in the business, as demonstrated during his recent feud with MJF. It’s not surprising therefore that Jericho has proven himself to be a natural in the commentary booth.

The character of Chris Jericho is a natural at both heel and face characters. Again, his journey in AEW has shown this, as he moved from the most hated to the most loved character on the show. This skill means Jericho could easily apply himself as the heel or face commentator depending on who is he paired with.

Father Time catches up with us all, and Chris Jericho’s time in the ring is reaching its end. Yet wrestling is in Jericho’s blood, and it looks almost certain a post-career in the commentary booth is in his future.

AEW has already said that one of the commentator’s for AEW Rampage will be an existing member of the AEW team. AEW could do a lot worse than having Chris Jericho fill that position.

Former WWE developmental talent Ezra Judge has landed himself a spot on the MLW roster following his release in May. The announcement was made on Twitter by MLW founder Court Bauer. Ezra Judge will be going by his real name in MLW, having adopted the Judge surname in WWE.

The 6’8 former NFL player signed for WWE in 2019. He never made it to the main roster and was released during the cuts in May 2021.

Ezra Judge came into wrestling fairly late in life. Having started out playing college football and was eventually drafted into the IFL. Following a short stint in football, Judge turned to bodybuilding. Picking up a few wins on the NPC circuit before turning to the IFBB Pro Tour in 2016. He placed 3^rd in the Lou Ferrigno Classic that year, his highest placing in a bodybuilding competition.

Sports have been in Ezra Judge’s life since childhood, excelling in most disciplines through school, earning double letters in both track and baseball before his football days.

Signing for WWE was his first experience in wrestling. MLW will certainly offer him a very different working environment, but one a man of his size and build could thrive within.

The Judge will be a surprise package for many, as his wrestling career is still in its infancy, and at 32 years old, he still has the time needed to craft a character and skillset. Ezra Judge was held in high regard within WWE, and his NXT release was a surprise. He was picked up in the 6^th round of the recent MLW draft, and will no doubt be eager to get in the ring and show exactly what he can do.

It is not uncommon for older generations to sit back and reflect on how times have changed. On how the old ways were the best. This is especially prevalent in the field of professional wrestling. An industry where times have very much changed. Talking in a recent interview with Wrestling Inc former NWA and WCW star Nikita Koloff spoke about how he feels the art of professional wrestling has died.

“[There is a reason] why the product looks like it does today versus what many, many, many of the fans of the ‘80s and early ‘90s have told me is the golden age of wrestling,” noted Koloff. “And what they’ve done, because of writers, who write matches and write interviews, they set [up]… what wasn’t so much a decline as it was a transition in the business, from taking creative control from the wrestler. Where I had the ability to go in the ring and tell a story spontaneously in the ring. If the fan wasn’t buying into it, I could change it up in a second in the ring and do something different. So, I learned that pretty quick.”

His comments are certainly understandable, when looking at WWE and the tight control they insist upon. However, there could be a counter argument made that times are changing, and the ‘old ways’ or wrestling are coming back.

AEW have already proven that you can be successful by giving the wrestlers creative freedom. Now, with the ‘forbidden door’ now open – or re-opened – the territorial days of yesteryear might just be upon us again.

Nikita Koloff Believes The Clarity Around Wrestlers Ruins the Storytelling

Nikita Koloff continued to talk about how fan reaction and involvement was also not what it used to be. Citing the decline of the mystique of wrestling, and the death of kayfabe as a reason for the way modern professional wrestling is falling flat.

“Even when you watch fan reaction back then, that’s the difference of why the fans even reacted differently back then versus now. Because now [wrestling] is so exposed, right? Everybody knows the match is written out and they go in and perform it. And again, taking nothing away from their athletic ability, but if the fan is not buying into the match, you’re still gong through all the spots and the whole deal. Whether they’re buying into it or not.

“And that’s the main difference why the product looks like it does today versus the product back then. I think, personally, it mainly has to do with no more ring psychology. That art has died.”

There is undoubtedly some validity to Nikita Koloff’s claims. However, there are still enough moments of genuine shock in the world of wrestling to remove the certainty of his comments. There is still an emotional investment in matches. This proves that in certain circles at least, the art of professional wrestling is alive and well.  

It’s all about Steve Austin this week as the wrestling world celebrates the 25^th anniversary of Austin 3:16.

Before his unexpected (and previously unplanned) victory over Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts in the final of the 1996 tournament, Steve Austin was a new guy trying to find his place. Winning the King of the Ring tournament was always viewed as being the start of a push. Everybody knows that it should have been Triple H winning. However, the infamous curtain call moment happened, and history was set in motion.

“That incident had to happen at the Garden where the guys hugged, because Triple H was supposed to win that King of the Ring. Vince tells me I’m going to win.”

Following his win, Austin delivered the now famous, unscripted promo that created the brand that carried WWE through an entire era.

“Hell, I don’t care if its Davey Boy Smith or Shawn Michaels, but you’re looking at the next WWF Champion if I ever get the shot. And that’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so.”

Steve Austin Needed the Undertakers Permission to Get His Merch Approved

The rest is history. First came the signs, then came the chants, and on their heels, came merchandise. The Stone Cold brand was born. However, what many people never realized is that it could never have happened. There was one very important figure backstage in WWE, who could have brought it all crashing down.

Talking about his legacy on Busted Open Radio, Steve Austin recalled having to ask permission from the Undertaker before his 3:16 skull logo could be approved.

“Here’s something I’ve said before, maybe not everybody knows; Undertaker had to give me clearance to use that skull because Vince thought that might be gimmick infringement. I ran it by Mark, he was cool enough to give me the green light on the skull, thank you Mark. And that shirt was born.”

Who knows what would’ve happened if any one of the series of events leading to that speech had gone differently? Would Steve Austin have gone on to be the star he was? We will never know, and thankfully, never need to imagine a wrestling world where it went any other way.

Stone Cold Steve Austin is a wrestling legend. Arguably the most well known and popular wrestler, not only of his generation but ever. His portrayal of the anti-hero during WWE’s attitude era lives on long in the memory of all wrestling fans.

The story of the Austin 3:16 promo at the king of the ring tournament is one of those magical moments in history resulting from a series of events happening at just the right moment in time.

Talking during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Steve Austin spoke at length about the night that 3:16 was born. Even now, the depth of his legacy as a result of that one promo astounds him.

“Who would’ve figured it would’ve lasted that long? I watched that promo about ten times last night, just so I could kind of take myself back to where I was. But so many things had to happen for that promo to even happen. That incident had to happen at the Garden where the guys hugged because Triple H was supposed to win that King of the Ring. Vince tells me I’m going to win.”

“I go in and wrestle Marc Mero, who’s a wonderful human being, get along really good with him. I was fortunate enough that he kicked me in the mouth. If he’d never kicked me in the mouth, this never would’ve happened. They haul me to the hospital, I get fourteen stitches, come back. Michael P.S. Hayes is right there at the ambulance, telling me ‘hey, Jake just cut a religious promo on you.’ So thank you Jake for cutting a religious promo, thank you Michael P.S. Hayes for telling me that.”

Steve Austin Knows the Impact THAT Promo Had on His Career

A career is not defined by a single moment. However, a legend is often born as a result of one. For Stone Cold Steve Austin, that moment came at King of the Ring in 1996.

A series of events led to an off the cuff, unscripted promo. Something that would never happen in modern-day WWE. Creating a groundswell that still surges today.

“It was almost like it was predestined for that promo to happen. And if none of those events had happened or happened out of order, that promo would’ve never happened. Maybe I’d have still been a big star, but that promo gave me two tag lines, 3:16 and ‘because Stone Cold said so’, at one night at an event I was never supposed to win. So I’m entirely grateful for all the pieces and people that fell in place for this to happen.”

Stone Cold Steve Austin grew into his legend. Sadly, we may never see another character quite like him in WWE. Not because what he did was so special it could never be repeated, but because the creative control is too tight to give wrestlers room to grow their character naturally.

Tony Khan can stand back and be proud of everything AEW has achieved so far. Not only have they flourished in the early years of their formation, but they did so in the face of a global pandemic. An event that challenged the world and changed the face of sport for over a year.

AEW made the choice to resist the call for virtual fans. Choosing instead for an open-air stadium as part of Tony Khan’s Jacksonville Jaguars complex.

During a recent discussion on Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast, Tony Khan spoke about AEW, and especially their core PPV Double or Nothing.

Khan was proud of the way both editions of the annual show have turned out, making a bold claim against WWE’s own premier PPV, Wrestlemania.

“I’ll tell you something; Double or Nothing last year and this year, in my opinion, was a better show (than WrestleMania). I liked this year’s WrestleMania a lot better than last years. They had some fans this year and everyone there worked their ass off both years. This year I thought, both (were) good shows. They did a two-night show, and it was a good show. But I thought Double or Nothing this year was outstanding, and it was the best wrestling show of the year so far. And last year Double or Nothing, during the pandemic, it kicked the s**t out of WrestleMania last year. The pandemic version last year? Not even close. Double or Nothing was a much better show.”

Every Right to be Confident

Tony Khan is a businessman at heart, and it is natural that he will think his product superior. However, it is interesting to see the pressure that AEW has already placed on WWE. A bigger name, a bigger brand, with unquestionably more history. To be confident enough to make such claims already speaks for both Tony Khan and the way he runs his business.

Looking at the strides AEW has made in their first year. The addition of a second weekly television show, as well as the formation of two dark shows. The names they have signed both in the ring and out. It all speaks of the clarity of vision Khan has for the product, and the passion he brings to his job.

Wrestling is a sport filled with tough men. They don’t come much tougher than Kurt Angle. A decorated amateur wrestler and gold medal-winning Olympian before he made the move over to professional wrestling. Now he is a well-respected podcaster, whose passion for the sport is still as bright as ever.

His career in the sport at both amateur and professional wrestling levels spanned over forty years. It’s well documented that he wrestled in the Olympics with a broken neck, but further to that, he amassed a number of injuries and bumps during his career.

Talking during a recent Q&A on AddFreeShows.com about the toll wrestling took on his body, Angle said “I’m so banged up now. I sacrificed a lot of my body in professional wrestling and amateur wrestling. I have to blame both sports, not just one. I’m paying for it now.”

Kurt Angle suffered several neck injuries during his career, to name but one body part that suffered during his career. Wrestlers both amateur and professional put their bodies through much more than it is designed to endure. The effects of this are felt long after their in-ring careers have ended.

Kurt Angle was ‘retired’ by Baron Corbin at Wrestlemania 35, yet even now, his body is still making him pay for those years of fame.

“I’m in extreme pain all day long. I do maintenance on my body all day, I do my neck traction. I have a thing called the Iron Neck, where it trains your neck. Then I have anti-gravity machine rollers. I stretch. I do a lot of weight training.”

Kurt Angle Knows the Dangers of Being in Constant Pain

The constant injuries and abuse a wrestler puts their body through in their career is no secret. You will be hard pushed to find a retired wrestler who does not struggle with aches and pains. Kurt Angle is brutally aware of the dangers not only of wrestling but of the dangerous side-effects of wrestling.

“I had a painkiller problem, and I kicked that eight years ago. Not having painkillers anymore is really difficult, but I’m never going back to those, nor do I want to.”

Kurt Angle is 52 years old and has himself in great condition as he continues to care for his injured body. His story, his message, is not one of regret, but one that should serve as a reminder to any fan. Wrestling is not for the faint-hearted. It is as real as it comes. Fame and notoriety can fade, but the pain is a constant reminder of everything that has been experienced.

The common theme among the ever-growing list of released WWE talent is that the creative limitations were stifling. The frustration of stars such as Miro and Jon Moxley were more than evident in their post-release podcasts and interviews. However, Ruby Riott likes to view things differently.

The star was cut from the women’s roster in June this year. Many wrestlers and fans claimed WWE had not allowed us to see the best of Ruby Riott. Be this as it may, Riott – formerly known as Heidi Lovelace – does not feel that the tight restrictions imposed on the stars are necessarily negatives.

Talking about what it’s like working under such tight reigns Ruby Riott said “”I like to be heard – even if it’s to be heard and be sh*t on.”

Talking further in an interview with the Wrestling Perspective Podcast Riott said that she chose to view the restrictions as a positive. Seeing it as a challenge. What could she still do with her character?

Ruby Riott Turned Creative Control into a Challenge

Talking about the negative aspect of WWE creative Ruby Riott said that she felt she thrived under challenging conditions. There’s no doubt WWE affords its wrestlers little to no creative freedom. Yet it is a breath of fresh air to hear a wrestler turn it on its head.

We have all heard what goes on behind the scenes in WWE. It isn’t new and it isn’t likely to change any time soon. Hearing a star like Ruby Riott, who undoubtedly has a valid reason to complain having never received a real push – barring one title opportunity against Ronda Rousey –  give everything a positive spin is something worth writing about.

It is clear from her words that she wasn’t necessarily happy with what happened during her time in WWE. Her attitude does not paint WWE in a different light. It does, however, show the depth of character Ruby Riott has.

Nobody knows yet where Riott will head once her 90 days have been served, however, wherever she goes, good things are sure to happen.

The Young Lion academy is a tough place to come through. Whether in Japan or the LA Dojo. If you want to be part of NJPW, being a Young Lion is the way to go. Karl Fredericks joined the LA Dojo in 2018. Despite having several years’ experience behind him, he went back to basics at the Young Lions academy.

Following in the footsteps of many NJPW greats, including Shinsuke Nakamura, Tatsuya Naito and Kazuchika Okada, Karl Fredericks graduated from the dojo in June 2020. Since then he has been able to develop his character and build his own story in wrestling. Paying homage to his Native American heritage in both his attire and move names, Fredericks has become a solid name on the NJPW roster. Appearing at both US and Japan-based events.

This coming Friday on NJPW Strong, Karl Fredericks will get his first chance at a title in NJPW when he takes on Tom Lawler. Lawler is the inaugural Strong Openweight champion, having won the belt earlier this year, beating Brody King in the tournament finals.

Karl Fredericks Helping NJPW Strong Grow as a Brand

NJPW Strong is a new brand under the NJPW banner. It is based solely in the US and after coming through the pandemic era of professional wrestling, is growing week by week. Yes, there are some established names on its roster, but it is young lions and graduates such as Karl Fredericks and Clark Connors who are the future of the brand.

The Young Lions system is an interesting one and has been very successful for NJPW through the decades. There are questions as to whether a system such as that would be useful for companies like AEW. It could be argued that the original thoughts behind NXT were Young Lion-esque however, a fully-fledged dojo system could help promotions build talent for the future, as well as support smaller associated promotions through excursion agreements.

The future is bright for Karl Fredericks, and while the chances of Lawler dropping the Strong belt so soon in his run are slim, there is definitely gold in Fredericks’s future.

Talking on his Fangin’ and Bangin’ podcast, Gangrel spoke up about his former pupil and current TNT champion Miro. Miro trained under Gangrel during his time at the Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy from 2008 to 2010.

Talking about Miro’s dedication to mastering the art of wrestling, Gangrel was full of praise. “This is a guy that would work all night. You know, he came from another country. His dream was to be a wrestler. He left Bulgaria to come here to be a wrestler… You come all the way, you gamble on you. He bet on himself. He believed in himself, he left Bulgaria, and he came to the United States to become a professional wrestler. Look at him now. That didn’t come because he was being lazy, that didn’t come because he wasn’t dedicated. No, it’s the opposite. He was a workhorse, and he was super dedicated, he was super focused.”

Gangrel Is Proud of What His Student Has Achieved Since Joining AEW

Miro had a great run in WWE, but never got the push his character and popularity deserved. Following his release in 2020, he initially retired from the sport. However, AEW were able to get him back in the ring, where he is flourishing.

Coming into his own after separating from Kip Sabian, Gangrel is proud to watch his former protégé develop and the maturity he has found in the ring.

“So when I was watching this match with Dark Order, I see that he was just miles ahead, but not by being fast. He just knew his way around the ring and I was super proud of him because I know how hard he worked to become the professional wrestler that the human being is and then the man he is today and I’m super proud of him. So, Miro, good on you, man. Keep kicking ass, dude. I’m super, super proud of you. Keep rockin’!”

Something big is happening in the world of Japanese wrestling. To celebrate 70 years of professional wrestling in Japan, nine of the countries top organizations are putting on a joint show. They are calling it the LEGACY Tournament.

The two-day event is scheduled for September 14^th and 15^th. Taking place at the legendary Korakuen Hall in Toyko.

The event is an effort on the part of the Japan Wrestling Hall of Fame. Their motives behind the event were to “give hope to professional wrestling fans by holding the tournament together as a professional wrestling industry.”

The Japan Wrestling Hall of Fame was founded in 2020. There are several iconic names currently serving as executives including Antonio Inoki and Riki Chosu. The LEGACY Tournament marks the first wrestling event organized by the organization. The event promises to be an eye-watering affair and is setting a global precedent with the sheer number of organizations working together. Celebrating the history of the sport they are all part of.

Multiple Organizations Agree to Take Part in the LEGACY Tournament

Currently, there are no names or matches announced for the LEGACY Tournament. However, the following organizations have agreed to take part:

• NJPW
• AJPW
• Pro Wrestling NOAH
• Big Japan Pro
• Michinoku Pro
• DDT
• Zero 1
• 2AW
• Dragongate

The names working across these companies have the mind-boggling at the different match possibilities. In addition, the organization have called on more promotions and freelancers to stand up and help honor wrestling in Japan. Currently, there is no word if any non-Japanese talent will be taking part. However, it is not beyond reason to consider some of gaijin talent making an appearance.

However, at this point in time, there is one thing missing from the event. There are no Joshi organizations taking part. Women’s wrestling is huge in Japan and an event such as the LEGACY Tournament surely needs to take a moment and recognize that fact. Currently, it is rare for male and female wrestling matches to appear on the same card. Most organizations are either male or female ones. However, for an event such as this, is surely a good cause for an exception.

It is not yet known if the LEGACY Tournament will be televised inside or outside of Japan. However, tickets for the event go on sale on June 25^th on the Japan Wrestling Hall of Fame Supporters Club webshop.

The love of video games within the AEW roster is no secret. Many of their wrestlers make frequent references to video game characters in their matches or during their promos. Several are also active on Twitch and other video game communities. It also came as no surprise that an AEW video game was in the works. That market is largely dominated by WWE titles, several of which have not been favourably received in recent years.

The first AEW video game developers Yukes just released a new sneak peek at their work in progress. It is the second bit of gameplay footage for the title, this time involving Darby Allin.

The footage was also given a voiceover by world champion, and video game fan, Kenny Omega.

The teaser shows Darby’s in-ring moves including a coffin drop inside and outside of the ring, and his backflip dropkick.

AEW All In for AEW Video Game Production

Talking in a recent interview, Tony Khan said that not only was AEW committed to developing the AEW video game franchise but that their 8-figure investment in the project was keeping the company from making profits.

That doesn’t scare the chairman and shows the level of commitment the Khan family have to the AEW brand. Computer games and wrestling go hand in hand, and while they are still in the early days as a company, AEW has established itself as a big-name brand. An AEW game is a sensible move. It fits with the brand and will help expand their brand and bring new eyes and ears to their product.

NJPW has just announced they are holding their first event on US soil since before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. NJPW Resurgence is scheduled for Saturday, August 14^th at the L.A. Coliseum. Fans will also be in attendance for the event. The actual venue is in The Torch, a concert center opening this summer. Initial promotions for the event say a total of 5000 tickets will be available, however, this could be increased to 10,000 if necessary.

Masks will be mandatory for those in attendance unless eating or drinking. Tickets go on sale on June 30^th, with prices ranging from $39 to $299.

The full NJPW Resurgence match card has not been announced yet, however, Jon Moxley is advertised for the show. No doubt, he will be putting his US title on the line. Interestingly, Shota Umino is returning to NJPW for the first time since leaving on excursion in September 2019.

NJPW Resurgence Names a Strong List of Stars for the Event

The NJPW Resurgence show will feature prominent names from NJPW but also a number of talents who perform on the US-based NJPW Strong brand. The advertised list as it currently stands is:

• Jon Moxley
• Jay White
• Tom Lawlor
• Doc Gallows
• Karl Anderson
• Juice Robinson
• David Finlay
• Shota Umino
• Ren Narita
• Karl Fredericks
• Clark Connors
• Alex Coughlin
• Hikuleo
• Fred Rosser
• Lio Rush
• Brody King
• Chris Dickinson
• TJP
• JR Kratos

The return of NJPW to American soil is another big step forward for wrestling, as it looks to get back on track. The sport survived the pandemic well, but there is always something special about having a live crowd. Whether watching at home or in the audience, crowds are what make events special.

An aptly named show indeed, NJPW Resurgence is not only a return for crowds but a return to international touring, which is a very exciting prospect for fans around the world.

Before Brodie Lee became the leader of the Dark Order, you had Evil Uno and Stu Grayson. The founding members of the group, who have been with AEW since day one. The story of the Dark Order is well documented and somewhat immortalized because of the passing of Brodie Lee. However, one thing that cannot be denied is that founding members Evil Uno and Stu Grayson are both very talented wrestlers.

Talking in a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, the duo spoke up about how they got into AEW. They go way back with the Young Bucks, stretching to their PWG and ROH days.

Jericho eventually asked the pair about WWE, and if either of them had received offers to sign for the promotion.

Surprisingly, Evil Uno had been approached by the company, but as a singles performer. This is strange, as he has been wrestling alongside Stu Grayson ever since 2006. The funniest thing is that the offer for a WWE try out came just after Uno signed for AEW.

“Surprisingly enough, the only tryout offer I got was once I was offered a contract here,” Uno noted. “I never seeked for it either. In my first, I’d say nine years, I just thought it was an impossible feat because I wasn’t ginormous. I’m a little masked guy who’s a video game character, and I’m from Canada.”

It was clear from both men that moving to WWE was never on the cards. Not because they were not approached, but rather because neither Evil Uno nor Stu Grayson thought of WWE as being an end goal. Neither wrestler felt as if adding WWE to their resume was necessary to validate their in-ring careers.

Vince McMahon is a man who likes to be in control. The strength of his grip on all things WWE is well known and documented. Despite many different rumours swirling right now, Vince is still very much in control of things.

In a new turn of events, Vince McMahon has decreed that a new rule be imposed on each and every match shown on television.

According to Ringside News Mr McMahon has issued a ban on all cold matches. Every single match now needs to have a reason for being. Nothing will occur just for the sake of a seeing two wrestlers compete head-to-head.

This new ruling explains why Jeff Hardy’s career was suddenly on the line in his recent match with Cedric Alexander. This ruling is an interesting one. However, given WWE’s creative issues in recent years can they rise to the occasion? Will we be seeing a random run of matches with non-sensical stipulations, or will this be a change in storytelling? Time will tell. The Ringside News source specified that the point behind the matches should all form part of a larger storyline.

WWE have the athletes, and they have the fan base. However, it is the creative side that many believe let the shows and the company down. A rule like this allows the creative side of the business to set a base from which it can grow.

However, Vince McMahon changes his mind with alarming regularity. Therefore, there is a chance that this will not be around long enough to come to fruition.

Painful bumps are part of wrestling, and Kurt Angle knows all about them. The old line of it all being fake doesn’t hold water with the knowledge fans have of the sport. Bumps are real, bad landings hurt, even good landings hurt. Pulling off a move can hurt just as much as taking a move. Injuries are real. Yes, there are storylines built around them, and certain poetic license may be used, but beneath it, is a single constant. Wrestling is a dangerous sport that hurts those that practice it.

Talking during a recent episode of The Kurt Angle Podcast, the show’s star talked about the most painful injury he ever got in the squared circle. Fans will undoubtedly guess the match, but not the spot that caused it.

It was 2001, King of the Ring, and THAT match against Shane McMahon. While the infamous glass shot left both men battered and bloody, it was an earlier spot that Kurt Angle credits for causing him the worst pain he ever experienced.

Coming after a suplex on the concrete, Kurt Angle was left in the position of needing to finish a brutal match with a brutal injury that nobody could see.

Kurt Angle is One Tough Son of a Gun

“Yeah, I cracked my tailbone, it was extremely painful,” Angle said. “I never felt pain like that in my life. It ran down my legs, I could barely stand up and I knew I had to finish the match, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. I was clueless about how I was going to finish the match because it hurt so bad.”

“Without a doubt, a 10 or 11, it was that painful. I never had pain like that, especially the way it ran down my legs. It grabbed a hold of my nerves that ran down my legs and it was just thumping the whole time. I couldn’t bend over, I had to stay standing up straight, my positioning was all messed up. I couldn’t really do much, I was supposed to carry Shane back to the ring after the glass spot and I couldn’t. Thank god I grabbed a cart to bring him back.”

Coming from the man who won an Olympic gold medal with a broken frigging neck, it must have been a very painful injury indeed.

The importance of enhancement talent in wrestling should never be underestimated. Much like journeymen in boxing, they play a vital role. Nobody is more aware of this than Barry Horowitz who is possibly the most famous enhancement talent. He believes wrestlers like himself deserve more than just a pat on the back for their efforts.

Barry Horowitz is a thirty-year veteran of the sport. He garnered his own popularity in the mid-’90s that saw him gain attention rarely given a ‘jobber’. Horowitz entered a feud with Bodydona Skip which saw the pair square off multiple times, culminating with a PPV match.

Talking in a recent episode of The Wrestling Inc. Daily with Nick Hausman Barry Horowitz was asked about the WWE Hall of Fame. Hausman asked Horowitz if he could see himself being inducted at some point down the road.

“That hall of fame is all in Vince’s mind,” Horowitz pointed out. “It’s nice to be there, but when you got Kid Rock and Bob Uecker, I mean, in the NFL Hall of Fame, I see nothing but football players. I understand it’s two different venues, two different avenues, two different sports, but you’re telling me of all cockamamie things they’ve come up with in the last five years on RAW, you can’t have, for one year, the people would go insane. I put my house on it, have an enhancement hall of fame or just one enhancement guy every year.”

There is a Lack of Understanding for the Talent of an Enhancement Wrestler

Talking further about the Hall of Fame, Horowitz was quick to say he had no beef with WWE. However, he echoed Jim Cornette’s view on the issue. “Maybe I was too good. I worked too hard, and I never failed the drug test.”

As their conversation continued, Barry Horowitz talked passionately about the lack of understanding surrounding what it really means to be an enhancement talent. His passion for wrestling was clear, and many of the statements he made should be given very careful consideration.

Barry Horowitz held multiple championships during his career. However, he never managed to win one during his time with WWF/E or WCW.