Chris Jericho likes to keep busy. In addition to his podcast, podcast network, WWE career, NJPW career, upcoming cruise and band, Jericho is also filming a horror movie with the noted filmmaker, Kevin Smith. Smith posted about the film earlier through Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmgLOfeATjd/
Jericho is racking up the IMDB credits these days. He even has in his own show, “But I’m Chris Jericho.” Additionally, he has appeared in Sharknado 3 and several other TV shows/movies.
Jericho is at the center of some speculation as of late. Many believe the popular Canadian could end up with Impact Wrestling or continuing his NJPW career in spite of previous statements made saying he wouldn’t wrestle in the United States for a company other than WWE.
New Japan Pro Wrestling President, Harold Meij, has penned a column in Japanese stating the promotion will not become an American-style wrestling company.
There have been complaints the last few weeks regarding the style of wrestling often featured in this year’s G1 Climax tournament. In addition to the frequent interference from Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale and Tanga Loa, Jay White also frequently used interference and American-style wrestling tactics.
Meij himself became involved in the proceedings, helping to have the Firing Squad ejected from the building the final night.
“From Harold Meij’s latest column. He regrets how Saturday came across, addresses concerns of NJPW becoming like ‘American wrestling’,” Tweeted Chris Charlton. “He ‘never planned’ on being involved in proceedings and says he has no intentions on being anything but an executive.”
From Harold Meij’s latest column. He regrets how Saturday came across, addresses concerns of NJPW becoming like ‘American wrestling’. He ‘never planned’ on being involved in proceedings and says he has no intentions on being anything but an executive. pic.twitter.com/LWIMLof8Gp
Harold Meij is a Dutch businessman who has been active in the Japanese market and speaks the language fluently. He addressed the idea of a perceived foreigner running the company during an interview earlier this summer.
“I think there are long-time fans that must be worrying, ‘What? The operator is a foreigner? What’s going to happen?’ Because I look like a foreigner, you know?” Meij said. “They worry that New Japan might change. I wanted to come myself as the president and talk with the fans to alleviate any anxiety they might have.”
Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Wrestling have filed a lawsuit against Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment.
Jarrett has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit stating that Anthem has been making money off of GFW content since the merger between the two sides fell apart last year.
The lawsuit alleges that Anthem “reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, offered for sale, and sold the GFW Amped content without providing any compensation or royalties to GFE or Mr. Jarrett.”
Jarrett’s lawyers are also alleging the Global Wrestling Network, stating it is too similar to GFW’s intellectual property.
Lawyers for Jarrett released the following statement to media:
“Mr. Jarrett does not have a comment on this case but we look forward to our day in court before the jury.”
It is mentioned in the lawsuit that they are seeking a trial by jury.
Jeff Jarrett in 2018
Jarrett was fired from his position with Impact Wrestling last October. He subsequently entered a rehab program and has returned to in-ring competition this year.
Jarrett won the AAA World Heavyweight title in June last year. He defeated Rey Wagner and Rey Mysterio Jr in a triple threat match at Verano De Escandalo. He is expected to defend the title against Fenix in the near future.
The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega, has fired a shot at Hiroshi Tanahashi. Omega referred to Tanahashi as an “egomaniac”, said he’s glad he won’t be at All In and referred to his fans as a cult.
He made his comments in a reply to the newest English broadcast team member, Chris Charlton.
What’s crazy is that his dwindling mini cult will still believe every word he says. A complete ego maniac. Sure glad he ain’t #allin
“What’s crazy is that his dwindling mini cult will still believe every word he says. A complete egomaniac. Sure glad he ain’t #allin”
Omega’s comments were made in response to Tanahashi saying Ibushi would never reach his true potential while aligned with Omega.
As Omega is the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Tanahashi the G1 Winner, the two could meet in the main event of WrestleKingdom. Omega will need to defend his title before then, however, and Tanahashi will have to defend his G1 briefcase as well.
Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
In his post #g128 press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5
Tanahashi said he would only go on to face Omega in the Tokyo Dome if he successfully retains the G1 briefcase against Kazuchika Okada. Although Tanahashi won the B-Block in the G1 this year, he only wrestled Okada to a draw on the final night of the round-robin.
The only wrestler to defeat Tanahashi in the G1 this year was Jay White. Tanahashi will likely defend the briefcase against him as well.
As for Omega, he’ll have to defend his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Tomohiro Ishii next. He could have to defend the title against either Kota Ibushi or Toru Yano before WrestleKingdom as well.
His title match against Ishii has yet to be scheduled.
Dojo Pro Season 1 Winner, Aaron Solow, is about to receive one of the most important title shots of his career.
Solow won Amazon’s Dojo Pro competition recently and as a result, has earned a shot at the ROH Television title. Ring of Honor just announced when Solow will challenge current champion, Punishment Martinez.
The match will take place in 11 days inside an iconic wrestling venue, the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
#ROH World Television Championship Match at #ROHPhilly TV Taping! @ROHPunishment vs @dojoprotv's @aaronsolow
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 14, 2018
While a talented wrestler in his own right, Solow is perhaps best known to wrestling fans as Bayley’s fiancee. Bayley and Solow met on the California indy scene and became engaged last year.
Solow has wrestled in Ring of Honor previously. He wrestled 5 matches for the promotion in 2014-15. He’s 0-5 all-time in ROH. His one appearance in a televised match with Ring of Honor came in a loss to Adam Page from 2015.
Along with his partner Ricky Starks, Solow has been wrestling with AroLucha, PWR, and WrestleCircus as of late. The team was defeated by the Revival on Monday Night Raw back in January as well.
DOJO Pro
Dojo Pro is a half-hour episodic wrestling show on Amazon Prime. The unique series features a tournament with the winning wrestler earning a title shot in ROH.
Joey Janela, Jeff Cobb, Shane Strickland, and many others take part in the show.
The show features a unique “ladder style” gauntlet tournament with each episode featuring one match. The promotion touts that the episodes are binge-watchable and the reviews have been positive for the 12-episode series.
WWE Smackdown and 205 Live tonight will be the go-home show before this Sunday’s Summerslam. Both shows will emanate from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
Smackdown Preview 8/14
AJ Styles Promo Towards Samoa Joe
Tonight on Smackdown, AJ Styles will have more to say to his Summerslam opponent, Samoa Joe. Styles already responded to Joe’s comments about how the champion has sacrificed his family life for his WWE career last week. Evidently, Styles has more he wishes to say to the challenger tonight.
Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair Come Face-to-Face-to-Face
At Summerslam, Carmella will have to face two challengers at the same time. Lynch and Charlotte are longtime friends but will each want to win the title on Sunday. Their friendship could reach a boiling point tonight as we are just 5 days away from the biggest event of the summer.
Aiden English vs Andrade “Cien” Almas
I know it’s been a hard few weeks for #RusevDay but I swore to make it up to @RusevBUL & @LanaWWE – so ahead of their #SummerSlam match, I’m demanding here and now to face @AndradeCienWWE 1 on 1 this Tuesday on #SDLive – I’ll do whatever it takes. https://t.co/P881KA0koN
Aiden English has already cost both Rusev and Lana matches against Almas and Zelina Vega recently. Now, he’ll have a chance at redemption as he goes one-on-one with the tranquilo, Andrade Almas.
The founding member of Los InGobernables will team with Vega to take on Rusev and Lana on the Summerslam kickoff show on Sunday.
The New Day vs Sanity
New Day and Sanity are 1-1 against each other on WWE programming but tonight they will face each other in 6-man action.
Watching this match closely will be the New Day’s opponents at Summerslam, the Bludgeon Brothers.
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville Receive An Opportunity
I find it pretty ridiculous that @RealPaigeWWE gives her former PCB teammates preferential treatment, but doesn’t extend the same courtesy to her former #Absolution teammates?! Hmm… ?? Come on GM you should know what’s best for business!?????????
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville aren’t happy with how they’ve been treated as of late by Smackdown GM, Paige. The former members of Paige’s Absolution stable have asked their former leader for an opportunity. They will get just that tonight on Smackdown.
205 Live Preview
Akira Tozawa vs Lio Rush
Lio Rush is one of the fastest rising stars in the cruiserweight division. So far, Rush is undefeated on the purple brand. One of his previous opponents, Akira Tozawa, gets a chance to even the series at 1 win a piece tonight, however.
Cedric Alexander vs Jack Gallagher
Alexander’s Summerslam opponent, Drew Gualk, has been aligned with Jack Gallagher recently. Just 5 days ahead of the cruiserweight championship tilt, Alexander will face Gulak’s ally in single’s action.
Will Gulak and his crew look to soften up Alexander before Sunday?
If you’ve ever wanted to know what kind of direct private messages female wrestlers receive, you’ll have your chance on September 1st.
Before she competes in the “Over Budget Battle Royal” at All In, fast-rising indy star Jordynne Grace will release “DMs of a Female Wrestler”. The book features DMs Grace has received through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram over the years.
“Preorder your very own copy of “DM’s of a Female Indy Wrestler”, featuring never before seen DM’s from a female indy wrestler that she’s received over eight years,” a description of the book reads.
“28 pages of funny, gross, and absurd DM’s that Jordynne Grace has received over the course of her career via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.”
Jordynn Grace “DMs of a Female Wrestler”
Grace made her pro debut 4 years ago and is quickly becoming a talked about star on the indy scene. Her feats of strength in the ring have earned her the nickname “Thick Mama Pump”.
Grace is a regular with Progress and the current Women Superstars Uncensored Champion. She is a talented inter-gender wrestler as well.
Grace recently competed in “the Northern”, a BOLA style tournament hosted by Smash Wrestling in Toronto. She was defeated by Joey Janela in the first round of the tournament. The match was heavily praised live by those who saw it.
Late last year Grace sat down with Impact Wrestling’s Alicia Atout:
Brian Cage recently sent out a challenge to anyone from Bullet Club to meet him on Chris Jericho’s Rock N Rager at Sea. Several inter-promotional matches between ROH and Impact Wrestling are expected to take place throughout the cruise.
The current X-Division Champion recently appeared on “Killin the Town” with Don Callis and spoke about facing members from the faction.
“All those guys are great at what they do but they’re not Brian Cage,” Cage said on the podcast. “They are half my size and I can do, like you said, just about everything they can do.”
Cage would then continue to be complimentary of the Young Bucks and other BC members, however.
Jericho’s cruise runs from October 27th to 31st and will sail from Miami to the Bahamas. Already booked for the tour is an ROH single-elimination tournament with the winner receiving a shot at the world title.
Jericho will team with the Young Bucks to take on Marty Scurll, Cody, and Hangman Page on the cruise as well. Additionally, the Young Bucks will face LAX in an inter-promotional match scheduled after Konnan sent out a challenge on his podcast.
This Sunday when WWE presents Summerslam, there’s a chance Alexa Bliss vs Ronda Rousey will close the show. Rousey is arguably the company’s biggest star at the moment and an all-female Summerslam main event would be another “first” the company would be able to showcase.
Current Raw Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss, recently spoke to the Mirror UK about the possibility of closing the show on Sunday.
“You have the five-time WWE Champion going up against a UFC Hall of Famer. Why not let it be the main event?” Bliss asked. “I do I believe that with the women’s evolution going the way it is, then why not? But if not, then it is still great that I get to have a match with Ronda, who is making her SummerSlam debut.”
Alexa Bliss vs Ronda Rousey – Summerslam 2018
Bliss has been complimentary of Rousey since her debut earlier this year.
“I watched her UFC career and I do think she is what she is called, ‘The Baddest Woman on the Planet’,” Bliss continued. “She is at the forefront of women’s sports in general, she is tough and awesome and I am looking forward to our match at SummerSlam.”
Main eventing Summerslam isn’t enough for Bliss, however. The Raw Women’s Champion said her ultimate goal is to headline the biggest event of the year.
“But for me, the ultimate goal is to main event WrestleMania. That is the big one and is on all of the women’s bucket lists. It really is and would be the epitome of what this evolution is. I am also just happy to help continuing to elevate the women’s evolution.”
There is more evidence building that Chris Jericho plans to wrestle for a promotion other than WWE in the United States. Jericho has famously stated in the past that he would not wrestle for a promotion in the country other than WWE out of loyalty to Vince McMahon.
Despite this, rumors are circulating that Jericho could end up in Impact Wrestling or wrestling on the G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden next year.
Jericho recently corrected a fan on Twitter who said he would only work for a company in the United States if he has Vince McMahon’s blessing.
“While nobody will say anything,” wrote Dave Meltzer in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “There is a lot of belief within the business than Jericho is destined to be here (Impact Wrestling) and the not wanting to do anything that would get Vince mad doctrine isn’t nearly as strong as it was months ago.”
Impact Wrestling’s Petey Williams, also commented on the possibility of Jericho coming to the promotion recently. He said he wouldn’t be shocked if Jericho shows up in Impact. Williams also said he has no direct knowledge on if he’ll be coming in, however.
Earlier this year, we spoke with Don Callis during an Impact Wrestling press conference to promote Slammiversary. I asked him about talent he’d like to bring in to the promotion. His answer suggested he’s looking to bring in the biggest names he can.
“There’s a young Canadian kid I like, we’d love to sign him,” Callis said. “His name is Kenny Omega. Another is Chris Jericho.”
Tessa Blanchard is only 4 years into her professional career but has already won several championships.
Blanchard currently holds title belts for 6 independent promotions. She’s the current champion for Zelo Pro, Women Superstars Uncensored, the Crash, RISE, PWX, and PCW Ultra.
Impact Wrestling has recently revealed that Tessa has added arguably her most prestigious title to her resume recently.
Blanchard defeated Su Yung and Allie in a triple threat match Sunday at Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
She phoned her parents, including step-father Magnum TA, after her victory.
If you’re unable to view the player above, you can view the clip here.
Tessa Blanchard Knockouts Champion
Just 3 days before she would win the title, we asked Blanchard what winning the championship would mean for her career.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence. “I’m going to have my opportunity to claim that on Sunday against Allie and Su Yung.”
“That is the goal,” Blanchard said in reference to the Knockouts Championship. “Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
Blanchard successfully defended the title against Yung last night in Toronto as well. She defeated the former champion with a hammerlock DDT.
WWE 2K19 will hit stores this October and when it does fans will have the ability to relive Daniel Bryan’s career. Showcase mode will return to the video game series after being left out of last year’s version.
To help commemorate the return of Showcase Mode to the WWE2K series, Bryan made a surprise appearance at his old high school today.
Bryan’s story is one of the most unique in wrestling history. WWE 2K19 released the following trailer for Daniel Bryan’s Showcase mode earlier today:
The mode features 11 historic matches from Bryan’s career. Already confirmed for the mode is his 2003 match on Velocity against John Cena. This likely means a 2003 version of Daniel Bryan will be created for the game (and likely Cena as well). This would resemble the Bryan Danielson of Ring of Honor more than his modern look today would.
WWE 2K19 Ric Flair Collector’s Edition
WWE 2K19 has also added a new Towers mode and are offering a deluxe version of the game celebrating the career of Ric Flair. Customers who purchase this edition of the game will receive a plaque with a piece of one of Flair’s robes and bonus in-game content.
Bonus in-game content for Flair’s version of the game include:
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper character (1980s)
Dusty Rhodes (1980s)
Rick “the Dragon” Steamboat (1980s)
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (WM8)
The Undertaker (2002)
Ric Flair (WM24 attire)
Charlotte Flair (WM32 attire)
NWA Starrcade 1983 Arena
The following pre-order bonus content is also included in the collector’s edition:
Randy Orton is said to have a unique way of introducing himself to new members of WWE’s creative team. Former WWE writer and current MLW Owner, Court Bauer, detailed Orton’s unique introduction practice on an episode of his podcast.
“For every new writer that would show up, he comes in the room puts his hand down his pants, pulls out his d*ck, touches himself, then says ‘I’m Randy Orton, shake my hand…oh you don’t want to shake my hand? Are you big leaguing me? That’s f**ked up man. Should I tell Vince and Steph you won’t shake Randy Orton’s hand?”
Former WWE writer Kevin Eck shared his thoughts on Orton in an article for the Sporting News.
“I don’t have any comment on the recent stories about Orton’s backstage behavior,” Eck wrote before then offering a comment. “Other than to say that I always avoided shaking hands with him during my time on the WWE creative team.”
Former WWE Superstar, Ken Kennedy (Anderson), also commented on Orton’s during a previous shoot interview.
“I remember my boots were sitting there and he kept dipping his c*ck into my boot,” Anderson said. “I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ ”
“He used to do stuff like this and we’d be riding in the car and I’d be like, ‘Randy, there’s no one else around to find that funny.’”
When Ronda Rousey first debuted in WWE she was worried fans would not support her. Although she has had her share of detractors throughout her career, the WWE Universe has been largely supportive and enthusiastic for Rousey’s pro-wrestling career.
“I really was not expecting it at all,” Rousey said to the associated press of the support she’s received from wrestling fans. “The WWE universe is very protective of their love and their art and they don’t want people flippantly coming in and disrespecting it and trying to capitalize off of it.”
Rousey would continue to talk about how she wanted to win over the fans’ respect.
“I wanted the WWE universe to know that this is something that is just as important to me as it is to them, and this isn’t a ‘get rich quick’ scheme for me,” she continued. “This is something I really, really care about and want to contribute to. Like, I really, really want the WWE to be better off because I was part of it, and I would love for that to come across to the fans as well.”
Ronda Rousey on Childhood Battle With Hypoxia
Rousey also spoke on how judo helped in her in her childhood battle with hypoxia, a condition which hinders speech.
“I had a speech/motor disorder called hypoxia growing up,” Rousey said. “It was very difficult for me to speak, so the way that I enjoy being able to communicate and interact with people is physically.”
“I was very shy to make friends and things like that, she continued. “If you’re doing something with somebody it’s easier to make friends.”
Rey Mysterio Jr. is expected to head to WWE soon but his post-match comments from the G1 Climax 28 final show indicate the luchador may have some unfinished business in NJPW still.
Mysterio has cleared his schedule for the latter part of September, which has led many to believe he’ll be WWE bound then or shortly after. He is still booked for Chris Jericho’s cruise at the end of October, however.
On Sunday, Mysterio teamed with KUSHIDA and Ryusuke Taguchi and defeated Kazuchika Okada and Roppongi 3K. Following the match, Mysterio indicated he’d like to face Okada in a single’s match.
Rey Mysterio Wants Single’s Match With Kazuchika Okada
“I would love to see a single’s match between Okada and Rey Mysterio Jr,” Mysterio said in the back. “Let’s see what happens. Thank you.”
Rey Mysterio Jr. NJPW
New Japan Pro-Wrestling kicks off their “Destruction” tours in September. Mysterio could face Okada in single’s action on any of the big Destruction shows on the tour.
Mysterio will also be in trios action at All In on September 1st. He will team with Fenix and Bandido to face the Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi. Although Cody will face Nick Aldis for the NWA title that night as well, some are saying the trios match could be the night’s main event.
The G1 Climax 28 winner, Hiroshi Tanahashi, has stated he will defend the briefcase against Kazuchika Okada and Jay White.
The winner of NJPW’s annual G1 tournament receives a briefcase with a contract for the title shot at WrestleKingdom inside. In recent years, the G1 winner has had to defend the briefcase before advancing to the Tokyo Dome. No G1 Winner has yet to lose the briefcase before WrestleKingdom, however.
Jay White was the only wrestler to defeat Tanahashi in the tournament while Okada and Tanahashi went to a 30-minute draw on the final night of the round-robin.
His post-match press conference comments were translated by the owner of PuroLove.com:
In his post #g128 press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5
Tanahashi wants to go to the dome after knocking down Okada. He said he understands Okada's strengh well enough so he thinks there's a need to defend his briefcase against Okada even there is a risk of losing.
Even though he considers his G1 victory a "complete resurrection" (kanzen fukkatsu/????) he thinks it's impossible to avoid Okada. When he was asked about Jay White Tanahashi also added that he would like to defend his certificate against him.
As it stands right now, Okada would have to either defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi for the G1 briefcase or Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight title in order to be in the main event of WrestleKingdom.
If Okada is not in the main event at WrestleKingdom 13 it will be the first time since WrestleKingdom 8 he hasn’t been.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Jay White
Tanahashi’s post-match comments centered more around Okada than they did Jay White. Still, as the only person to defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi in the G1, White will likely be given a shot at the briefcase.
White and his CHAOS stablemates have not been seeing eye-to-eye as of late. It’s unclear what White’s future with the faction is.
. @IMPACTWRESTLING‘s @MrGMSI_BCage is SICK and TIRED of hearing about the Bullet Club! How will he retaliate on board @IAmJericho Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea?! Book TODAY to find out”
Brian Cage vs Bullet Club
Brian Cage has yet to be pinned or submitted on Impact Wrestling thus far. He defeated Matt Sydal for the X-Division Championship at Slammiversary in Toronto.
Cage then successfully defended the title against Sydal in a rematch the following night. He’s scheduled to defend his title against Fenix tonight at Impact’s tapings once again at Rebel Nightclub.
Chris Jericho Rock N Rager At Sea
Several matches have been booked for Chris Jericho’s cruise, scheduled from October 27 to the 31st.
The Young Bucks and Chris Jericho will team up to take on Cody, Marty Scurll, and Hangman Page. Also LAX recently challenged the Young Bucks.
“I’m gonna put that out there: Young Bucks meet LAX on international waters. First blood, first death, whatever the hell you wanna call it and let’s do this.”
“All right, Young Bucks, we’re calling you out,” Konnan said on his podcast. “You can stop a revolutionary but you can’t stop a revolution. Boom. We’re serious like a late period. Bring it.”
Cody has his sights set on more than one championship. With an NWA World Heavyweight Championship match coming up on September 1st, Cody has his sights set on Juice Robinson’s belt as well.
Cody and Hangman Page defeated Juice Robinson and David Finlay today on the G1 Climax 28 final show. Following the victory, Cody called Robinson a “bad rip-off of Kairi Sane” before challenging him to a title match. He said he was sick of hearing the wrestling media talk so highly of Juice and then referred to himself as the next IWGP United States Champion.
A likely date for the match would be September 30th with NJPW returns to Long Beach.
Cody Rhodes and Juice Robinson have met five times previously. The first time they faced each other was inside the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 11. Cody won that match as well as the following 4 tag-team matches they were on opposite sides of.
Robinson trained under Cody’s father, Dusty Rhodes when he was in WWE’s developmental system.
“Dusty would always just preach being real,” Juice said during a media call for the G1 Special in San Francisco. “He would always tell me to be myself.”
“He would always say it’s the why not the how,” Juice continued.
On their final show before a likely 3-month suspension, Bullet Club’s Firing Squad have won the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag-Team Championships. Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and the group’s newest member, Taiji Ishimori, defeated the Young Bucks and Marty Scurll for the titles.
Following their victory, however, the Firing Squad members threw the belts in the direction of NJPW owner, Harold Meij. Their status as champions remains unclear.
Their match against the now-former champions was originally scheduled to be a non-title bout. Tama Tonga then challenged them to put the titles up, however. Meij made the title match official moments before it started.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Bad Luck Fale Likely Suspended?
The group is facing a likely 3-month suspension. They had received a warning that if they interfered in any B-Block matches on the final night of the round-robin they would be suspended. The faction then did interfere in Tama Tonga’s match that night.
Some of their former stablemates have ideas for their vacation. Finn Balor Tweeted out the following to his fellow Bullet Club founding members:
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr. has been confirmed for next month’s All In pay-per-view.
With the news of this high-profile contest, there are now 9 matches confirmed for All In, including 2 matches on the 1-hour pre-show airing on WGN.
Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr.
Omega is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Pentagon is a former Lucha Underground and Impact World Champion and one of the most decorated younger luchadors of his generation in Mexico.
Pentagon and Fenix have recently been the center of rumors concerning WWE. Two weeks ago it was reported WWE had interest in the brothers, however, it is still unclear what their current contract status with Lucha Underground. Pentagon and Fenix are both thought to have signed 7-season deals with Lucha Underground but there are reports both have told bookers they may need to cancel dates in 2019.
Kenny Omega could have to defend his IWGP Heavyweight Championship multiple times before WrestleKingdom. His likely first title challenger was revealed today.
After pinning Chase Owens in a tag match, Tomohiro Ishii declared he wants a shot at the champion. Kevin Kelly speculated the match could main event NJPW’s return to Long Beach on September 30th.
Ishii was the first wrestler to defeat Omega in the tournament this year. Omega was later defeated by Toru Yano and Kota Ibushi as well.
Omega and Ishii are tied 2-2 in their all-time one-on-one series. Ishii defeated Omega the first time they met in the 2017 NJ Cup. Omega would defeat Ishii the next time they met at Wrestling Dontaku 2017, however.
Omega then defeated Ishii in the finals of the tournament to crown an inaugural IWGP United States Champion in Long Beach. Most recently, Ishii defeated Omega in the G1 Climax 28 B-Block.
Kenny Omega G1 Climax 28
Omega lost his final 3 matches in this year’s G1 Climax tournament. He started the tournament much as Kazuchika Okada had last year. Omega won his first 6 round-robin bouts but his 12pts were only good enough for a 4-way tie atop the group.
Kota Ibushi advanced to the finals based on the tie-breaker rule that the wrestler with the best record against the 3 opponents he’s tied with advances. Ibushi defeated Omega, Zack Sabre Jr, and Tetsuya Naito.
Hiroshi Tanahashi is now a 3x G1 tournament winner. He defeated Kota Ibushi today in the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in the finals of G1 Climax 28.
With the victory, Tanahashi earns the right to challenge the champion at WrestleKingdom 13. The G1 winner has had to defend that right before moving onto the Tokyo Dome in recent years, however. As Jay White was the only person to defeat Tanahashi in the tournament, he’s a likely candidate for Tanahashi to defend the G1 briefcase against.
— ROCKY ROMERO?? ?? ?? ??“Chico El Luchador” (@azucarRoc) August 12, 2018
Hiroshi Tanahashi G1 Climax 28
G1 Tournament Winner Statistics
The win moves Tanahashi into a tie with Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the 3rd most tournament victories in the G1 lineage. Tenzan and Tanahashi are tied for 2nd most in the modern G1 era beginning in 1991.
Antonio Inoki
MSG League tournament victories: 6
1974, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81
International Wrestling Grand Prix victorious: 4
1984, 86, 87, 88
Up until they were surpassed by Kazuchika Okada, Tanahashi’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship statistics were the greatest of all-time. He won the title for the first time over 12 years ago. He defeated Giant Bernard (Matt Bloom) in the finals of a tournament to crown a new champion.
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Combined Title Defences: 28 (1st all-time- Okada trails by 3)
Combined Days as Champion: 1,358 (2nd most all-time behind Okada)
Chris Jericho does not believe Vince McMahon is worried about another wrestling promotion selling out Madison Square Garden. In fact, Jericho believes Vince knows this will only improve the business overall.
The G1 Supercard sold-out almost instantly after tickets went on sale to the general public yesterday.
“I bet you, deep down inside even Vince would say, ‘Okay, this is good.’ This is good for business because it makes everybody work a little harder, it gives the fans more options, it gives the [performers] more options. It makes the business healthier overall.”
Tickets to the event were thought to be 60% sold after VIP Honor Club subscribers were given early access.
There is speculation that Chris Jericho may have gone back on his promise to never wrestle in the United States for a promotion other than WWE. Jericho is the current IWGP Intercontinental Champion and could potentially be booked on the G1 Supercard. To do so, however, he would have to go back on his long-held statement regarding his loyalty to WWE.
“It’s very cool to go back to Japan, where I started, and be part of this worldwide growth of New Japan,” Jericho said recently during an interview with Sports Illustrated. “There are no real restrictions on what I can do in New Japan.”
Jericho last competed for WWE this spring in the Greatest Royal Rumble.
Impact Wrestling is back in Rebel Nightclub in Toronto for 2 straight nights of television tapings. Tonight, Impact presents two championship matches and a Mexican Death Match in the main event.
Tomorrow night, Impact has the Lucha Bros, Brian Cage, Matt Sydal and Rich Swann in action as well.
Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Bad Luck Fale have likely earned themselves a 3-month suspension from NJPW. The Firing Squad members were warned to not interfere in any of today’s B-Block match-ups.
The faction did interfere during Tama Tonga’s B-Block match, however. They were then escorted from the building. This allowed the night’s main event between Omega and Ibushi to go undisturbed.
“BULLET CLUB OG; Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Bad Luck Fale have made the unfortunate decision to intervene in matches which have resulted in multiple disqualifications in this G1 CLIMAX 28,” an NJPW press release stated.
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling has made a decision to impose a three-month suspension and a fine to each member(s) of BULLET CLUB OG if they intervene in any G1 CLIMAX 28 tournament B-block match tomorrow.”
Tama Tonga lost via disqualification to Yano after repeated interference and abuse of the referee. He finished the tournament with 6pts, down from 8pts the previous two years.
Bad Luck Fale finished with 6pts as well. Previously, his worse tally had been 10pts. This was Fale’s 5th G1 tournament, with his highest total being 12pts. He hit 12 pts in 2014 and 2017 and 10pts in 2015 and 2016.
Yuji Nagata Speaks Out On Bullet Club OGs
Yuji Nagata, who had a hand in training Tonga and Fale, spoke out publicly against the group’s actions recently. Nagata spoke with Tokyo Sports recently. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion said NJPW needs to be more selective about who is invited to participate in the G1.