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.
Kota Ibushi defeated Kenny Omega in the main event of today’s G1 Climax 28 show in Tokyo, Japan. In front of a sold-out Nippon Budokan, Ibushi pinned Omega after delivering his second Kamigoye.
With the win, Kota Ibushi will advance to tomorrow’s finals against Hiroshi Tanahashi. The winner of the tournament will earn the right to challenge the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in the Tokyo Dome on January 4th, 2019.
The winner of the G1 has earned the Tokyo Dome title shot dating back to 2012. As of yet, no wrestler in that time has dethroned the champion after winning the G1.
Tonight’s match was the third all-time between the Golden Lovers and Golden Elite teammates. Ibushi has won all three matches between them.
DDT, August 6th, 2008 – Kota Ibushi defeated Kenny Omega (2:1 best 2-of-3 falls hardcore match)
DDT, August 18th, 2012 – Kota Ibushi (c) defeated Kenny Omega (KO-D Openweight Title)
NJPW G1 Climax 28 B-Block. August 11th, 2018 – Kota Ibushi defeated Kenny Omega
Kota Ibushi vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
Tomorrow’s final between Ibushi and Tanahashi will be the 4th time the two wrestlers have met. Tanahashi leads their all-time series 2-1.
G1 Climax 2015 Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kota Ibushi
G1 Climax 2017 Block A: Kota Ibushi defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
NJPW Power Struggle 2017: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) defeated Kota Ibushi (IWGP Intercontinental Championship)
The rest of the lineup for tomorrow’s finals has yet to be announced. Rey Mysterio is also scheduled to be on the card but his match has yet to be announced as well.
G1 Climax 28 Night 18 (B-Block) Results
David Finlay and Michael Elgin defeated Shota Umino and Toa Henare
Bad Luck Fale and Tanga Loa defeated Chase Owens and Hangman Page
Marty Scurll and the Young Bucks defeated Jay White and Roppongi 3K
Bushi and Evil defeated El Desperado and Minoru Suzuki
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, and Tomoaki Honma defeated Gedo, Kazuchika Okada, and Yoshi-Hashi
B-Block
Toru Yano (10) defeated Tama Tonga (6) via DQ
B-Block
Juice Robinson (6) defeated Hirooki Goto
B-Block
Tomohiro Ishii (10) defeated Sanada (8)
B-Block
Zack Sabre Jr (12) defeated Tetsuya Naito (12)
B-Block
Kota Ibushi (12) defeated Kenny Omega (12)
Kota Ibushi advances based on having the best record of all 4 wrestlers tied with 12 points in the block.
Sami Callihan is a featured performer on Impact Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and Lucha Underground. Callihan knows just how well wrestlers can do working outside WWE and he’s not afraid to talk about it. It’s a bridge he’s not worried about burying, in other words.
Callihan mentioned himself, the Elite, and Zack Sabre Jr as those who have helped the independent wrestling scene become just as lucrative for performers these days. “A lot of us are making just as much money as some of the guys in WWE,” Callihan said on Wrestling Observer Live.
“That’s why indy wrestling is striving right now because there is a group of like-mind individuals all working for the same goal,” he continued. “People are finally starting to realize that if it ain’t WWE, we need to be working together.”
“(WWE) are bringing back the territorial days. They are buying a territory in England, they are buying a territory with NXT in American with indy fans, they are eventually going to expand in Japan, China, and everywhere else. They are doing the same thing that happened in the 80s just on a bigger scale.”
“A lot of indy wrestlers are fighting back now because we don’t want to allow WWE to just monopolize.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__d8TGKzP9A&t=12s
Sami Callihan on Impact Wrestling
Callihan spoke about working with Pentagon Jr in multiple territories and also regarding the depth of talent on the Impact roster.
“Impact Wrestling now has one of the best rosters on the planet today,” Callihan said. “And I’ll go on record saying that.”
“The one thing that is going to make Impact Wrestling dangerous right now is that a lot of the wrestlers have a chip on their shoulder and want to prove everyone wrong.”
Talk turned to Callihan’s match with Pentagon at the Slammiversary pay-per-view and fan response to the changes in the promotion.
“Right now I think that is exactly what Impact is doing,” Callihan continued. “They are proving everyone wrong.”
Jeremiah Crane in Lucha Underground
Although Jeremiah Crane lost a Grave Consequences match recently he was brought back to life by Kobra Moon.
Now known as Jeremiah Snake, he is part of the Reptile Tribe which is currently feuding with Johnny Mundo’s World Wide Underground.
Sami Callihan in Major League Wrestling
Sami Callihan and his Death Machines are running loose in MLW as well. The promotion run by Court Bauer features many wrestlers who also compete for other major independent promotions. The company recently aired Battle Riot, a version of a Royal Rumble/Aztec Warfare type match.
WWE will present WWE Super Show-Down in Melbourne Australia on October 6th, 2018. The show will emanate from the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground, sometimes simply referred to as “The G”.
The venue holds over 100,000 fans for cricket matches.
John Cena vs Kevin Owens has just been announced as the second confirmed match for the card. Previously, the Undertaker vs Triple H was also confirmed.
The match was announced recently by the WWE Australia Twitter account.
WWE has several talents from Australia at the moment. In addition to the Iiconics, WWE also has the Mighty, Buddy Murphy, and Rhea Ripley. Technically, Nia Jax was born in Australia but she would later move to Hawaii and then San Diego.
The first Australian born women’s wrestler to work in WWE, Emma, was released from her contract late last year. She was a big hit on the company’s Australian tour in 2017.
Ronda Rousey in Australia
Ronda Rousey is featured in advertising for the show as well. Rousey famously lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship in Melbourne, when she lost to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
WWE Super-Shows
It is notable that WWE is stacking this card with legends such as John Cena and the Undertaker. The last time WWE did that for a show which was to air on the WWE Network was the Greatest Royal Rumble. WWE had large financial motives to provide a certain type of show in that case, however.
In this case, WWE may wish to stack the deck for a super-show simply because of the size of the venue and WWE wanting to create a special stadium-show atmosphere.
Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling have sold out Madison Square Garden. The G1 Supercard show is scheduled for April 6th, 2019 but you won’t be able to get tickets at Ticketmaster.
After going on sale to the general public at 10 AM, the remaining seats not sold to Honor Club subscribers sold-out almost instantly today. Fans were expressing their frustration at not being able to purchase tickets.
keep trying! some may pop up if someone lets their cart empty!
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 10, 2018
ROH/NJPW Madison Square Garden
Tickets for the event went on sale to Honor Club subscribers last week. Subscribers were given the option of purchasing up to 8 tickets at one time. Following the sale to Honor Club subscribers, ROH officials said the building was approximately 60% sold. The remaining 40% went up for grabs this morning and were gone pretty much as soon as they went on sale.
Confirmed for G1 Supercard:
Ring of Honor contracts typically finishes at the promotion’s final event of the year, Final Battle. As a result, many ROH stars aren’t under contract passed 2019. Some ROH talent has been signed to deals that long, however, and those stars are being featured in promo videos.
With Ring of Honor having booked Madison Square Garden for WrestleMania weekend next year, many are wondering if WWE plans to retaliate. There has been talk that many ROH talents have contracts which expire before the event and that WWE may attempt to sign-away ROH’s bigger attractions.
If ROH is worried about losing their top draws to WWE, they aren’t saying it. Ring of Honor General Manager, Greg Gilleland recently spoke to CBS Sports. He was asked about the possibility of losing guys like Cody or the Young Bucks.
“They’re our top guys, right?” Gilleland asked. “Of course, we’re going to do everything that we can to keep them. And we have fair offers and fair plans to retain them. With that said, I don’t think we ever operate in fear. We always operate with solid backup plans. And we have to always think about what if this, and what if that.”
Gilleland admits there’s a chance the talent could leave before the MSG show but he’s not too worried about that.
“If they go to the WWE, and they very much deserve that opportunity, we’ll continue to offer the best wrestling that we can,” he continued. “There’s other talent out there. And we will continue as our brand has for the past however many years. We’ve lost top guys before.”
He then mentioned several times in the past when the promotion has had to overcome losing their top stars to WWE.
“Think about Kevin Owens and even going back to Bryan Danielson and CM Punk and all of them. They all went to the WWE, and the brand has continued to grow and prosper.”
“Do I wanna lose the Young Bucks and Cody? No. Of course not. Why would I wanna lose them?” Gilleland continued. “Am I gonna make an aggressive attempt to retain them and sign longer-term agreements? Of course, we are. But, at the end of the day, the ROH brand is about the ROH experience, and that’s how we continue to grow.”
It was a big night on Impact Wrestling last night. Eddie Edwards would challenge for the title against Austin Aries. Matt Sydal took on Pentagon Jr and Sami Callihan descended further into madness.
Here are 8 Takeaways from Impact Wrestling 8/9:
Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams Impact’s Newest Team?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHuFdwQ34g
Two weeks ago on Impact Wrestling, Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams were opponents. Ishimori defeated Williams on the first episode following Slammiversary last month. The two former X-Division champions showed each other respect after the match but were then attacked by the Great Gama Singh’s Desi Hit Squad.
This week on Impact, Ishimori and Williams teamed up and defeated Rohit Raju and Gursinder Singh. Is this the start of a new and successful tag-team?
One thing that is for sure is that the Desi Hit Squad has angered their manager, the Great Gama Singh.
Tessa Blanchard Wants the Knockouts Title, Allie Just Wants Su Yung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZFsMEYPiY
This week on Impact Wrestling, Allie sent a message to Su Yung that her time has come. Allie challenged Yung to a match next week but this did not sit too well with Tessa Blanchard.
Blanchard defeated Alisha Edwards this week and then cut a promo on Allie after the match. She said Allie was just trying to weasel her way into a Knockouts title match and didn’t actually care about Su Yung’s reign of terror being ended. Blanchard then said if Allie was going to wrestle Su Yung next week, she’ll be there too.
We spoke with Blanchard earlier in the day, and she stressed to us how important winning the Knockouts Championship is to her.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence.
“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.
Scarlett Bordeaux’s “the Smokeshow” Talk Show Debuts Next Week
Scarlett Bordeaux not only has Bobo wrapped around her finger but the whole Impact management team.
The easily manipulated management team then caved to Scarlett’s wishes and announced she will have her own talk show segment “the Smoke Show” debuting next week.
Before the match, Sydal spoke about how even though he isn’t the champion anymore, he still has the spirit of an X-Division Champion inside of him.
It wouldn’t help him this week, however, Pentagon defeated him with a package piledriver in a match which any other week would have been the main event.
Sami Callihan Wants oVe to Look Like A Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkx7mEle9kc
Callihan continued to spiral out of control this week. After Pentagon defeated Sydal, Callihan and oVe appeared on the big screen. Callihan said he was sick of all the losing they’ve been doing as of late. He then forced Jake Crist to shave the head of Dave Crist so they would look more like a family.
King Challenges Konnan and LAX To A Street Fight
“We’re like scarecrows: Out-standing in our field” – Konnan
King and Konnan had an interesting back and forth this week, as they tend to do.
After an at times hilarious debate between the two, it was decided that this battle would be taken to the streets. A street fight between the two factions was agreed to before the segment ended.
Next Week Johnny Impact Gets “the Monster”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ecq5OJV04
Last week on Impact, Johnny Impact punched Jacobs in the mouth and demanded a chance for revenge against Kongo Kong.
This week on Impact, Jimmy Jacobs delivered a message to Johnny. He said he’s a good guy and was just trying to give Johnny fair warning last week.
“You want the monster, you got the monster,” Jacobs warned. “Johnny, be careful. I am the monster.”
Killer Kross Is Aligned With Austin Aries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZerVEuPtYCU
It looked as though Eddie Edwards was going to win the Impact World Championship. What we didn’t know going into the match was that Aries had an insurance policy all along.
With the referee down, Killer Kross came to ringside and took out Edwards, allowing Aries to pick up the win. The champion and his back-up celebrated in the ring to close the show.
Quick Results:
Taiji Ishimori & Petey Williams defeated the Desi Hit Squad
Tessa Blanchard defeated Alisha Edwards
Pentagon Jr. defeated Matt Sydal
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) defeated Eddie Edwards
Dusty Rhodes once told his son Cody the only thing real in wrestling is the World Championship. Cody will challenge Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at All In on September 1st. Also booked for that show is Impact Wrestling’s, Tessa Blanchard.
The 3rd generation wrestler has a similar view regarding the importance of world titles. Blanchard was this week’s guest on Impact Wrestling’s media call and stated unequivocally that winning the Knockouts Championship is her goal.
“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.”
Blanchard will wrestle Alisha Edwards tonight on Impact Wrestling. She’s then scheduled to face Allie and Su Yung in a triple threat match for the title at the upcoming set of tapings. The title match will be held this Sunday in Toronto.
“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.
A Knockouts Championship victory would also add to Blanchard’s already impressive (and still growing) list of titles. She’s won titles with WSU, RISE, PCW, and in Mexico for the Crash promotion.
Those who have been following the 23-year-old’s career will note she has a realistic and intense style. Blanchard has said previously she is influenced heavily by the era of her father and step-father’s prime.
“I have huge respect for the 4 Horsemen, all bias aside,” Blanchard said earlier this year. “I think my Dad and Arn were one of the greatest tag-teams of all time.”
She would continue to say she studies tape from this era.
“I watch that era of professional wrestling for inspiration and to study tape,” Blanchard continued to say. “I want to portray that style through my work.”
Impact Wrestling is back on POP tonight. The show will also be available tomorrow on-demand for subscribers to the Global Wrestling Network.
Eddie Edwards will challenge Austin Aries for the Impact World Championship tonight. Another former Impact World Champion will also be in action as Pentagon Jr takes on Matt Sydal.
Impact Wrestling 8/9 Preview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83GthIHgvTQ
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Eddie Edwards
Eddie Edwards has spiraled out of control ever since his feud with Sami Callihan. His obsession with his rival has caused Edwards to jeopardize his marriage and career. Tonight, however, Edwards has a chance to win the Impact World Championship.
The former GHC Heavyweight Champion will have a tough task tonight, however. Austin Aries has been a fighting champion since winning the belt earlier this year. Edwards may represent his most significant test yet, however.
Konnan’s LAX Is Waiting To Attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_f7ETfWr4
Last week on Impact, Konnan pulled back Santana and Ortiz after they attacked the OGZ. LAX looked to have the upper hand in the melee but Konnan withdrew his troops and later claimed the OGZ were setting a trap.
Konnan then told his team they need to wait for the right time to get their revenge and take back their property, the Impact tag-team titles. Is that time tonight? We’ll find out in just a few hours.
Alisha Edwards vs Tessa Blanchard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-S0fKEaIqw
Alisha Edwards returns to the ring tonight. She better hope her marriage problems with Eddie Edwards aren’t occupying her thoughts, however. Any weakness will be exploited by her opponent Tessa Blanchard.
Aside from two losses via pinning combination to the veteran Madison Rayne, Blanchard is undefeated in Impact Wrestling. She will look to move closer to a Knockouts Championship match by beating Edwards tonight. Last week, Blanchard was quite upset that Allie was being positioned for a title shot after being Su Yung in tag action. Blanchard defeated the hometown favorite Allie at Slammiversary.
The Desi Hit Squad vs Taiji Ishimori & Petey Wiliams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ugd3NOGAtE&t=9s
Two weeks ago on Impact Wrestling, the Desi Hit Squad attacked Taiji Ishimori and Petey Williams after their single’s match. Ishimori defeated Williams but after the bout, the Great Gama Singh ordered his disciples to take out the X-Division wrestlers.
The Desi Hit Squad have been winning their matches through under-handed tactics or clever tag-team wrestling as of late. They will have their biggest test yet when they face two former X-Division Champions tonight.
Matt Sydal vs Pentagon Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JflTo5tli0I&t=10s
Last week, Matt Sydal said the X-Division Championship is no longer his destiny. The X-Division title, he said, chose Brian Cage. Now, Sydal must follow a new path.
As for Pentagon, he comes into this match knowing Sami Callihan will be watching and waiting.
Renee Young will be added to the Raw commentary team next week. WWE has just announced the 32-year-old will serve as guest commentator for the entirety of the next episode.
Young was also recently announced as a member of the team who will be broadcasting the second edition of the Mae Young Classic. She has previously done commentary work on NXT and WWE Superstars as well.
BREAKING: As first reported by @espn, @ReneeYoungWWE will make history this Monday night as guest commentator for the full duration of #RAW! https://t.co/0CVjshUZAL
It is not clear if Young is auditioning for a permanent role or if this will be just a one-time deal. Booker T has done a similar guest commentating spot in the past earlier this year.
Reactions To Renee Young as Commentator
Several wrestling personalities have chimed in to offer their support for Young. In particular, Paul Heyman offered up his praise for the commentator.
I applaud @WWE for the decision to have @ReneeYoungWWE sit in this coming Monday as a guest commentator on #RAW. The entire program has just been handed an instant upgrade. Bravo! A most worthy recipient of this extraordinary opportunity! https://t.co/ct3xOXt6IO
Renee was on Lillian Garcia’s podcast recently. She spoke about how appearing on Total Divas was difficult due to her marriage to Dean Ambrose.
“It was hard, it was really hard and even now when I see the girls and their on the road, and you’ve got a camera in your face, and you’re taking these vacations that aren’t really vacations, it’s exhausting, it’s really a lot of work,” Young said. “I commend them all for doing it. For the people that it’s great for, its great for, but I think the problem that I essentially ran into was that I’m not a private person and my husband is.”
The G1 Climax 28 tournament is down to its final 3 nights.
The final night of the round-robin tournaments for Block A and Block B will run on Friday and Saturday respectively. Then, the tournament finals will take place on Sunday in Tokyo.
Below are the updated standings, schedule, and winning scenarios for those still with a chance to win their block.
G1 Climax tie-breaker rules:
A tie between two wrestlers is broken based on the result in their 1-on-1 match.
If 2 or more wrestlers are tied at the end of round-robin the winner is determined based on which wrestler has the most points in only the matches against the other wrestlers they are tied with.
A-Block Standings
Hiroshi Tanahashi – 14pts
Jay White – 12pts
Kazuchika Okada – 12pts
EVIL – 8pts
Minoru Suzuki – 8pts
Michael Elgin – 6ptts
Hangman Page – 6pts
Bad Luck Fale – 6pts
Togi Makabe – 4pts
Yoshi-Hashi 4pts
A-Block Remaining Matches:
Friday, August 10th, 2018:
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada
Togi Makabe vs Michael Elgin
Jay White vs EVIL
YOSHI-HASHI vs Hangman Page
Bad Luck Fale vs Minoru Suzuki
A-Block Winning Scenarios
In the A-Block only Tanahashi, Jay White, and Okada can advance.
Hiroshi Tanahashi winning scenarios and tie-breakers:
A win or a draw vs Okada is all Tanahashi needs.
Tanahashi lost to Jay White and will face Okada on the final night.
Jay White winning scenarios and tie-breakers:
White defeats Evil and Okada defeats Tanahashi.
White holds the tie-breaker over both Okada and Tanahashi due to beating both of them. Any 3-way tie between them goes to White.
Kazuchika Okada winning scenarios and tie-breakers:
Okada needs to defeat Tanahashi and EVIL needs to defeat Jay White or White vs EVIL goes to a draw.
Okada lost to White and will face Tanahashi on the final night of the round-robin.
B-Block Standings
Kenny Omega – 12pts
Tetsuya Naito – 12pts
Kota Ibushi – 10pts
Zack Sabre Jr – 10pts
Sanada – 8pts
Tomohiro Ishii – 8pts
Hirooki Goto – 6pts
Tama Tonga – 6pts
Juice Robinson – 4pts
Toru Yano – 4pts
B-Block Upcoming Matches
Saturday, August 11th, 2018
Juice Robinson vs Hirooki Goto
Tomohiro Ishii vs SANADA
Toru Yano vs Tama Tonga
Kenny Omega vs Kota Ibushi
Tetsuya Naito vs Zack Sabre Jr
B-Block Winning Scenarios
Kenny Omega winning scenarios and tie-breakers:
If Omega defeats Ibushi he wins B-Block.
A draw and a Tetsuya Naito loss or draw to Zack Sabre Jr. also wins the Block for Omega.
Omega holds the tie-breakers over Naito and ZSJ and will face Ibushi on the final night of the tournament.
Tetsuya Naito winning scenarios and tie-breakers:
Naito needs a win over Zack Sabre Jr. and an Omega loss or draw with Kota Ibushi.
Naito can moveon with a draw and a draw between Omega and Ibushi as well.
Kota Ibushi Winning Scenarios and tie-breakers
Ibushi needs to beat Omega and ZSJ needs to beat Naito.
Ibushi holds the tie-breaker over ZSJ and Naito so he takes a 3-way tie between the three. He will face Omega on the final night.
If Zack Sabre Jr defeats Naito and Ibushi defeats Omega there will be a 4-way tie for first place in the block with 12 points. In that scenario, Kota Ibushi would move on as he would have the tie-breaker over all 3. Based on this, Zack Sabre Jr is mathematically eliminated.
