The era of Kazuchika Okada being managed by Gedo has apparently come to an end in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The current belief is NJPW’s booker will no longer be accompanying Okada to ringside or delivering promos on his behalf.
“The whole reason for the dynamic was that Gedo was there to do Okada’s promos and make him feel special at first,” wrote Dave Meltzer. “Okada has gotten to where he doesn’t need anyone doing his promos and he’s already special.”
When the Rainmaker was first put with Okada, he was a cocky up-and-coming prospect. Now, Okada has been established as the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all-time, minus one record of Tanahashi’s he has yet to surpass.
Okada is scheduled to face Marty Scurll at All In. He will then join the Destruction tours back in Japan.
Kazuchika Okada Gedo
While Okada did not win the A-Block in this year’s G1, he was booked strong all the same. After losing to Kenny Omega, Okada’s character lost his confidence and, as a result, several matches. Okada lost a single’s match to Zack Sabre Jr. before the G1 began. To start the G1, Okada dropped his first two matches as well.
After losses to Jay White and Bad Luck Fale, Okada won his next 6 round-robin bouts before wrestling Tanahashi to a draw. Tanahashi then advanced to the finals where he defeated Kota Ibushi. The story with Okada is that once he got his confidence back, he wasn’t defeated again. Even though he didn’t win the tournament itself, Okada is back to looking like he can’t be beaten.
Natalya penned a letter to her father in the Calgary Sun recently. The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart, who passed away on August 13th.
“I really want to thank everyone for all of the love that they’ve shown to my dad and my whole family in the past week,” she begins her letter.
“Daddy — as I affectionately called him — and I were so similar in a lot of ways, and we shared that extra-special bond of professional wrestling and our careers.”
Natalya Remembers Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart
Natalya’s family is one of the most famous in wrestling history. Her father was involved in some of the most highly-praised tag-team matches along with Bret Hart and the British Bulldogs. Natalya mentioned in her letter that Anvil would text her all the time with wrestling advice.
“He would send me random text messages to work on my dropkicks and get at least two dropkicks in every match,” Natalya wrote. “Because that’s what Dynamite Kid would do.”
Natalya shares many heart-warming messages about the Anvil in her article. It certainly sounds like the Anvil was a wonderful father.
“I didn’t know it then, but my dad was my rock star. I’m glad that I got to follow in his footsteps to proudly carry the Neidhart name forward in WWE.”
WWE is said to be interested in both Pentagon Jr. and Fenix. Previously, it had thought to be the case that the two brothers were locked into Lucha Underground contracts which would prevent them from going to WWE anytime soon.
In an update to this story, however, it appears both brothers are preparing to test the free agent market. According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, their contracts include an opt-out clause following the 4th season. This would make them free agents 6-months after the last episode of the 4th season airs.
“They have told promoters they are working for that the deal would end with this season, as there was an opt-out,” Meltzer wrote. “If that’s the case, they would be free agents roughly six months after the last episode of the current season ends.”
Pentagon and Fenix have also reportedly told bookers that dates they had agreed to in 2019 are now in question.
The brothers, who are MLW tag-team champions, were also pulled from an upcoming show with the promotion.
Both Pentagon and Fenix are key players in the new version of Impact Wrestling currently airing. Pentagon held the promotion’s World Championship earlier this year.
Impact Wrestling this week featured a main event Street Fight between the OGZ and LAX. Impact World Champion, Austin Aries, would also let the world know the nature of his allegiance with Killer Kross. In tonight’s opener, however, Sami Callihan and Fenix tore the house down.
Takeaways From Impact Wrestling 8/16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gC86Lw-2yI
Fenix Will Face Brian Cage At Impact Redefined
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=271Q0zvU7kg
Fenix defeated Sami Callihan in a highlight-filled opener this week. Shortly after defeating Callihan, however, Fenix was then told the victory earned him a title shot against Brian Cage.
We would then find out that Cage vs Fenix will take place in 2 weeks on a special branded-episode of Impact, Impact ReDefined.
Johnny Impact Took Out Jimmy Jacobs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFVAdTwQWs0
When Johnny Impact returned to the promotion looking for Jimmy Jacobs’ monster, he didn’t realize that Jacobs’ himself was the monster. Regardless, Johnny got his revenge on both monster and Zombie Princess tonight.
He had Jacobs right where he wanted him when Kongo Kong interfered. Despite this, Johnny still came out the better of a 2-on-1 attack from Kongo and Jacobs.
Johnny rammed Jacobs in the head with steel stairs following his DQ victory over him. Jacobs could be out for quite a while.
The Smoke Show Gives Advice To KM & Fallah Bah
KM & Fallah Bah have not been seeing eye-to-eye as of late. Losses to the Desi Hit Squad further prove this point. Scarlett Bordeaux was able to give them some good advice this week, however.
Bordeaux stressed to KM that they had tried it his way and that maybe they should try things Fallah Bah’s way now. KM seemed enthused by the idea and stressed he would get matching tights so he and Bah looked more as a team.
Aries introduced his newest ally, Killer Kross. He reaffirmed that this was the “hurt business” and said the only one who truly understood this was Austin Aries. Kross said they were going to shove change down the throats of everyone.
Eddie Edwards came out. He took out Kross with a kendo stick and was just about to take out Aries as well when Kross grabbed his leg and Aries hit him with the title belt. Kross then choked Edwards unconcious.
Grado Cost Joe Hendry His Match Against Eli Drake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLxboF9ujSg
“the Prestigious” Joe Hendry debuted a new music video for Eli Drake this week. Despite Hendry’s musical tribute to his opponent, he lost the match all the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_1rwQopAWE
The Cult of Lee has been following Eli Drake around as of late. They would get involved in the match but Grado attempted to fend them off. In the end though, it was Grado’s distraction which allowed Drake to get the roll-up victory over Hendry.
Sami Callihan Challenges Pentagon To A Mexican Death Match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_73F6etiA
Sami Callihan is sick of losing to the Lucha Bros. He lost his mind and hair to Pentagon at Slammiversary and lost the opener tonight against Fenix.
Callihan wants Pentagon in his own style of match next week: A Mexican Death Match.
Matt Sydal Questions Everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGzp6buX6QA
Matt Sydal has said the X-Division Championship chose Brian Cage. That the title was once his destiny but now he must blaze a new path.
The above trippy video helps illustrate the inner workings of Matt Sydal’s consciousness.
Tessa Blanchard Interrupted Allie vs Su Yung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9JPMQXLKS4
Tessa Blanchard does not believe Allie when she says she’s not after Su Yung’s title. Allie promised she will stop Su Yung from locking anymore of the Knockouts in coffins and took on Yung in a non-title match tonight.
Just when it looked as though Allie had the match won, however, Blanchard interfered, causing the match to be thrown out.
What this means for the next Knockouts Championship match is currently not clear.
LAX Regain Their Tag Team Title Belts In A Street Fight Outside Of Rebel
In a match which involved knives and a mock-execution finish, LAX defeated the OGZ and took back their title belts. The match was filmed in the space between Rebel Nightclub and the parking lot.
The show closed with Konnan hitting King in the head with a slapjack mock-execution style.
John Hennigan, known in Impact Wrestling as Johnny Impact, will be taking part in Chris Jericho’s Rock N Rager at Sea. The Survivor contestant recently announced that not only will he be on the cruise, he’s calling out the entire Bullet Club.
Brian Cage has issued a similar challenge to the faction.
Johnny Impact on Chris Jericho’s Cruise
It’s been a big year for Johnny. He married Taya Valkyrie earlier this summer and filmed the upcoming season of Survivor. You can check out Johnny currently on Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground.
The upcoming season of Survivor will begin airing n September 26th, about a month before Chris Jericho’s cruise takes place. It’s possible that episodes featuring Johnny will still be airing by the time the cruise begins. Most contestants on such shows are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement preventing them from saying what happened on the show, however.
In Impact Wrestling, Johnny is currently engaged in a feud with Jimmy Jacobs meanwhile in Lucha Underground, Johnny’s World Wide Underground is doing battle with the Reptile Tribe.
In addition to the Sea of Honor tournament, LAX will face the Young Bucks on the cruise. Also, Jericho and the Young Bucks will face Cody, Marty Scurll, and Hangman Page.
Unlike his former tag-team partner, Enzo Amore, Big Cass will be continuing his professional wrestling career post-WWE. Cass will make his return to wrestling on September 21st for Big Time Wrestling, just days after his 90-day no-compete clause with WWE expires.
Another promotion, Championship League Wrestling, has booked Cass 8 days later but not to wrestle a match. Instead, CLW is advertising that Cass has somethings to get off his chest and will use their show to do so.
“Hot off of his release, Former WWE Superstar “Big Cass” will be making one of his first post-WWE appearances on our debut show on September 29th,” a company release reads. “And he will be doing so in a big way.”
“What is sure to make this interesting is he will be given an open mic with no limitations. The big man has been silent since his WWE departure. On September 29th, he promises to deliver his first public comments since being released.”
Big Cass Release
Cass was released from his contract on June 19th. WWE did not wish him well in his future endeavors when they announced his release either. While there are many rumors regarding the reason for Cass’ release, he has not made any public comment on the matter. Evidently, he plans to do just that at the end of September.
AJ Styles is now the longest reigning WWE Champion in Smackdown history. He passed JBL’s record recently to earn the honors. JBL himself commented on Styles’ achievement.
My record has been broken and I Could not be more proud of ?@AJStylesOrg? -a world class individual and athlete, looking forward to watching this incredible performer Sunday at @WWE Summerslam. pic.twitter.com/VjT33wKsVj
John Bradshaw Layfield won the WWE Championship on June 27th, 2004 from Eddie Guerrero. He would hold the title until WrestleMania 21 when he lost the title to John Cena. At that point, the title was drafted from Smackdown to Raw.
In 2016, the second brand extension era began and the WWE Championship once again became the property of Smackdown. AJ Styles won the title from Jinder Mahal on November 7th, 2017 in Manchester and has held for 281 straight days since.
AJ Styles WWE Champion – Longest Reigning WWE Champion in Smackdown History
Styles currently ranks #13 all-time in combined days spent with the WWE Championship. In a little over 40 days, Styles will pass CM Punk for the 12th spot on that list.
Combined Days Spent as WWE Champion:
Bruno Sammartino – 4,040 days
Hulk Hogan – 2,185 days
Bob Backlund – 2,138 days
John Cena – 1, 257 days
Pedro Morales – 1027 days
Randy Orton – 658 days
Bret Hart – 654 days
Triple H – 609 days
Brock Lesnar – 579 days
Stone Cold Steve Austin – 529
“Macho Man” Randy Savage – 520 days
CM Punk – 562
AJ Styles – 421
Styles will take on Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship Sunday at SummerSlam. Joe has yet to win a title belt on the main roster.
Impact Wrestling is back tonight with a show on Pop TV. They will also be back on Sunday as they present “Uncivil War” in Knoxville, TN airing live on Twitch.
Several matches have been booked for tonight’s show as well as a segment where we will hear from Austin Aries and his new ally, Killer Kross.
Impact Wrestling Preview 8/16
Austin Aries and Killer Kross Segment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZerVEuPtYCU&t=32s
Last week, Killer Kross helped Austin Aries retain his Impact World Championship against Eddie Edwards. Aries is a smart and strategic veteran and he knows if he wants to keep his title, he’s going to need some insurance. Kross makes for some very large insurance.
Tonight, we’ll hear from Aries and Kross and find out more about the nature of their allegiance.
The Smoke Show with Scarlett Bordeaux
Last week on Impact, the management team was left all fluttered after Bordeaux interrupted their meeting. She managed to convince the group of men that the other Knockouts in the division are jealous of her. They somehow decided that giving her a talk show would solve the problem.
We will find out just what Bordeaux has in store for her show tonight.
Fenix vs Sami Callihan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG6vUSY0YuA
Sami Callihan’s mental stability has never been in more question. After having his head shaved by Pentagon at Slammiversary, Callihan has become even further unhinged.
He’ll have a chance for revenge tonight, however, when he takes on Fenix in single’s action.
Street Fight
LAX vs OGZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiepoXsV2I
Fans have been raving about how good this match was live and it airs tonight.
LAX may have won a battle at Slammiversary but they didn’t win the war. The OGZ have possession of their tag titles and have even tagged them. If LAX want back their possessions, they’ll have a chance tonight.
As for Konnan, he has been very strategic in how he has approached this rivalry. I wonder if there is more Konnan is worried about…
Johnny Impact vs Jimmy Jacobs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ecq5OJV04
Johnny Impact came looking for Kongo Kong but when Jacobs wasn’t quick enough to produce his monster, Impact punched him in the face.
Last week, Jacobs gave Impact a stern warning: He is the real monster. Jacobs and Impact collide tonight.
Su Yung vs Allie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPvxFLFUlmE
There are no title belts on the line here as Allie takes on Su Yung. Allie isn’t concerned with championships, she just wants to make sure Su doesn’t lock anyone else in a coffin.
Someone who does care about titles, however, is Tessa Blanchard. Expect the 3rd generation star to be watching this match closely.
Brian Cage has been added to All In. The current X-Division Champion in Impact Wrestling will take part in the Over Budget Battle Royal during the Zero Hour pre-show on WGN.
When speaking about the event previously, Cody used Brian Cage as an example of a truly talented wrestler that there originally wasn’t a spot for on the show.
Cody said they would not want to job someone like Cage out. It looks as though the Zero Hour battle royal had an open spot, however, and now Cage is booked for the event.
All In Lineup
September 1st, 2018
Sears Center Arena
Chicago, ILL
Main Event
the Young Bucks & Kota Ibushi vs Rey Mysterio Jr., Bandido, and Fenix
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Nick Aldis (c) vs Cody
Christopher Daniels vs Stephen Amell
Pentagon Jr. vs Kenny Omega
Marty Scurll vs Kazuchika Okada
The Briscoes vs Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian
Madison Rayne vs Britt Baker vs Tessa Blanchard vs Chelsea Green
ROH World Championship
Jay Lethal (c) vs Over Budget Battle Royal Winner
Killian Dain wore a singlet during his match with New Day on Tuesday night. Some people aren’t letting this fact go either.
Smackdown creative head, Road Dogg, has had to deal with complaints about it on Twitter recently. Fortunately for him, Killian Dain came to his rescue.
While his choice in ring gear is questioned by some, there is little question Dain has potential. The 33-year-old was originally trained by Robbie Brookside via NWA Scotland but honed his skills in the WWE Performance Center when he was sent there in 2016. Oddly enough, Brookside is now a coach at the WWE Performance Center.
“I don’t think there is enough hyperbole to explain how good a coach he is,” Dain said of Brookside. “I can’t think of a better coach I’d met in any sport”
Real name Damian Mackie, he began competing with ICW in 2013. He wrestled Drew Galloway for the EVOLVE title in 2014 as well. Dain would wrestle a couple of matches in 2015-2016 for Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling and with TNA. He was signed by WWE that summer and began competing on the NXT house show circuit under the name Damo. In December of 2016, Dain was put alongside Eric Young and Sawyer Fulton as Sanity.
Ring of Honor fans in the UK will be upset to learn Tenille Dashwood has been pulled from the upcoming tour. ROH has announced Dashwood has is dealing with a non-serious medical issue.
Correction: Our original headline on this story stated that Tenille Dashwood was “injured” – the article has been updated to clarify that it is a ‘medical issue’ and not an injury.
ROH also announced Chardonnay is off the tour. ROH will be bringing in Kay Lee Ray as a replacement.
BREAKING: Due to unfortunate medical issues affecting @TenilleDashwood and @ladyCDarcy, @Kay_Lee_Ray will step up with huge opportunities on the #HonorReUnited Tour this week
Peyton Royce blasted Dave Meltzer on Twitter after hearing a clip of the wrestling journalist criticizing her appearance. On the August 9th episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer made a reference to Royce being a lot “lighter” while in NXT.
“I thought they had a cool act in NXT and on the main roster, I don’t get a thing out of them,” Meltzer said. “I think Peyton Royce’s transformation to look more attractive, I don’t know, I don’t want to say.”
When Meltzer’s co-host Bryan Alvarez questioned if Royce was more attractive in NXT, Meltzer answered, “I thought so, yes, to me yes. She doesn’t stand out to me; when she was in NXT she did. She was a lot lighter.”
Meltzer has since issued multiple apologies to Royce, but the damage was done and the backlash was significant.
I'd like to apologize to you. You are an exceedingly attractive woman. I do realize the lengths and pressures on women in the entertainment world to maintain unnatural looks at times and am glad you pointed this out. https://t.co/qkgOrpVQOX
What a true piece of sweltering hot garbage. You’re an angel too good for this earth. He’d be lucky if you gave him the time of day. Which you would, because you’re also a great person. Love ya girl. Let’s set better examples
This is unacceptable on so many levels. How dare you say that someone is more attractive when they are ‘lighter’. You have no idea how stupid comments like this can affect someone for life. @PeytonRoyceWWE is PERFECT just the way she is. A strong & beautiful WOMAN! https://t.co/1FDakcolpf
Major League Wrestling has signed a highly-touted prospect in Brian Pillman Jr. MLW sent in word that this is a multi-year deal that will keep the blue chipper with the conpany through 2020.
“Brian is a franchise player in the making,” stated MLW CEO Court Bauer in a press release. “Brian has a bright future ahead of him and now MLW fans can look forward to seeing his journey each and every week on MLW FUSION. This kid has IT.”
On MLW Fusion as of late, the young 2nd generation star has received mentorship from not only his family friends in the new Hart Foundation but also his father’s old rival, Kevin Sullivan.
Sullivan is worried Teddy Hart and Harry Smith will only lead the young Pillman in the wrong direction. Pillman told Sullivan he’s just paying his respects, however.
Brian Pillman Jr.
In an interview earlier this year, Pillman stressed that his character will evolve over time.
“My gimmick is that I’m Brian Pillman Jr. That’s my gimmick,” Pillman told the Sporting News earlier this year. “Eventually I’m going to have to change, I’m going to have to evolve and drop the ‘II’ or drop the ‘Jr.,’ become somebody else, somebody fresh, somebody new. I’m kind of in that process of that. I’m trying to develop my first beyond-the-legacy gimmick.”
He also appeared on Wrestling Observer Radio recently and spoke on how he originally felt his father’s untimely death was a work.
Pillman posted the following after making his independent wrestling debut late last year:
Current NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler, has turned heads with her talent and ability since competing in the Mae Young Classic last year. Baszler made it all the way to the finals of the tournament before being defeated by Kairi Sane.
Now with the second Mae Young Classic due to air on the WWE Network in a few weeks, Baszler is getting ready to face Kairi Sane again. This time, it will be Baszler defending her championship against Sane at Takeover.
During the first Mae Young Classic, however, Baszler’s 4 Horsewomen of MMA faction got into an altercation with the 4 Horsewomen of NXT. Despite this, a feud between the two similarly named teams never came to fruition. With both Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke now competing in NXT as well, however, the idea of the Horsewomen feud has been brought up again. Baszler addressed the potential angle herself recently during an interview with Inside the Ropes.
Shayna Baszler Horsewomen vs Horsewomen Feud
Baszler was asked about the potential angle and had the following to say:
“If they want it to happen, the four of us are fighters,” Baszler said. “We’ve never turned down any sort of fight. They want to argue about who’s the “4 Horsewomen” and what and who owns it. We had it first and that’s fact. It was given to us, we didn’t just call ourselves that.”
NXT is back tonight with the go-home show before Saturday’s Takeover event. 3 matches have been booked for tonight along with one segment meant to build anticipation for a key match on Saturday.
NXT 8/15 Preview
Roderick Strong vs Tyler Bate
The feud between the Undisputed Era and Moustache Mountain continues tonight as Roderick Strong takes on Tyler Bate.
Moustache Mountain and the Undisputed Era have each won the NXT tag-team titles from the other team once this summer. The rubber match between the two top teams in the division goes on Saturday but single’s action between Strong and Bate takes place tonight.
the Street Profits vs the Mighty
The Mighty defeated the Street Profits the last time the two teams met. The Street Profits caused a distraction last week which allowed Heavy Machinery to pick up the win over the Australian tag-team.
One of these two teams moves closer to the top of the tag division and one moves closer to the bottom. Which team is which will be decided tonight.
Kairi Sane vs Aliyah
Kairi Sane will have what is commonly referred to as a tune-up match tonight. Sane will take on NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler, Saturday at Takeover. Before then, however, she’ll take on Toronto’s Aliyah tonight.
These two met last September, with Sane coming out the victor.
Shayna Baszler will most likely be keeping an eye out on this match as she prepares to face Sane again.
Velveteen Dream Verbal Assault
EC3 threw the Velveteen Dream in a pool during a somewhat bizarre segment on last week’s show. This week, Velveteen Dream is said to have a verbal assault planned for his Takeover opponent.
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.”
