Major League Wrestling has locked up their World Champion, Jacob Fatu, until 2025. According to a report from ESPN, Fatu and MLW agreed to a contract extension to keep the Contra Unit member in the promotion for four more years.
“Major League Wrestling has signed its heavyweight champion Jacob Fatu to a contract extension, sources told ESPN on Thursday. MLW penned Fatu to a deal in late 2019 and this new one extends it four more years, into late 2025, per sources,” an ESPN report reads.
Fatu is part of the famed Anoa’i family. His father is Sam Fatu (aka Tama from the Islanders, The Tonga Kid, and Tama Somoa). He is cousins with the Usos. Rikishi is his uncle.
Fatu is just the 7th person to win the MLW World Championship. In part due to the global pandemic and MLW ceasing to run shows, Fatu is the longest-reigning MLW World Champion of all time. As of this writing, he has held the title for 377 days. He won the title from Tom Lawlor on July 6th, 2019 at Kings of the Colosseum in Cicero, Illinois.
MLW is currently airing episodes from the “underground” series from its original run. Court Bauer has said the promotion won’t run events until it is safe to do so. In storyline, MLW has been taken over by Fatu’s Contra Unit, explaining why shows are not currently taking place.
Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Taz spent some time discussing the Wednesday Night Wars on the Dynamite post-show recently. According to JR and Taz, there is no question as to which show fans should be watching first on Wednesday nights.
“This is going to sound real ass-kissing, but why is there even a choice on Wednesday nights? DVR NXT. Watch it later. Our shit’s better and I’m proud of being able to say that and it’s not in defiance, it’s just in reality,” Ross said.
Taz then added his comments by saying that he hasn’t seen NXT in some time and addressed AEW taking shots and acknowledging WWE in the past. Taz said AEW does it because it respects the audience’s intelligence unlike WWE as he claims.
“I don’t remember the last time I even watched (NXT),” Taz said. “That’s no bullshit. I really don’t give a rat’s ass about it. I respect the men and women there bumping and working but I’m not trying to be a homer, I don’t give a shit if someone thinks I am. I’m so locked into what we do, I don’t really give a rat’s ass.”
The conversation then turned to WWE not acknowledging AEW on their programming.
“Well here’s the deal, man. Do you think any of those TV shows, those online shows, those streaming shows that WWE does, that they would ever mention us? Shit no. They’re arrogant, they’re omnipotent. They’re the kings of the mountain,” Ross said.
Taz and Excalibur then pointed out that AEW acknowledges WWE on their broadcasts because they don’t want to insult their fans.
“What we’re doing is we’re not insulting your intelligence and we’re acknowledging WWE. They are the one’s insulting your intelligence,” Taz continued.
“We’re trying to be transparent for you people,” Taz continued.
Excalibur then added that AEW will also bring up when someone is unavailable due to COVID-19 related concerns while WWE does not do the same.
“There is a reason why we said Jon Moxley couldn’t wrestle because of second-hand exposure to COVID. There is a reason why we say all these things because we treat the audience like we as individuals like to be treated,” Excalibur said.
The 45-year-old legend is believed to be working for WWE without a contract. WWE reportedly declined Mysterio’s request for a pay raise. The eyeball angle will keep Mysterio off television while the two sides continue negotiating.
Should he decide against re-signing with WWE, it looks like Rey Mysterio will have interest from All Elite Wrestling. AEW Executive Vice President Cody recently spoke to Sports Illustrated this week and heaped praise on his WrestleMania 27 opponent.
Cody says his father and brother helped mold his career, but Rey Mysterio also made a huge impact on his development as a worker.
“The one thing Chris Jericho and I can agree on is that there is nobody greater than Rey Mysterio,” Cody said about Mysterio. “There are people I give a lot of credit for helping me build my career, and they’re not always the obvious ones. Dusty and Dustin, of course they were involved, but they’re family. Rey Mysterio, I don’t even know if he remembers, but he changed my whole career. Rey, Randy Orton and Big Show are three people that put a great deal of work into carving out my skills as a wrestler. I didn’t know nearly as much as they did, and I still don’t. They were very important to me.”
Rey Mysterio is in the later stage of his in-ring career. However, he still has tremendous star power and can put on world-class matches that defy his age.
It’s worth noting that Mysterio wrestled in the main event of All In, the highly successful independent wrestling event promoted by Cody and The Bucks that served as the genesis for AEW.
Muhammad Hassan wrote a graphic novel with Shad Gaspard titled “Assassin and Son.” It has recently been published by Scout Comics with proceeds going to Gaspard’s family. Hassan recently was a guest on the Chris Van Vliet Show and spoke about the project.
“It was in Los Angeles that I started writing a screenplay with Shad Gaspard which is actually a graphic novel by Scout Comics,” Hassan says during the interview.
“I think everybody knows the story of Shad and the heroic actions that unfortunately led to his death. So Scout Comics had this idea to release an edition early, just the first book, but a tribute edition for Shad. It’s available at ScoutComics.com. I want to sell these out, because all of the proceeds from this go to Shad’s family.”
Assassin and Son tells the story of Donovan Braddock, an assassin who works with a unit known as the Horsemen. Braddock tries to leave the life but his wife is murdered in front of him and his young son.
Assassin and Son #1 – Tribute Variant Covers are NOW AVAILABLE! RIP Shad Gaspard https://t.co/emSrICqAzm
Muhammad Hassan On If His Character Would Work In 2020
Hassan was also asked during the interview if he feels his character would work in 2020.
“I don’t think the character could be done the way it was done 15 years ago,” Hassan said. “I think it was insensitive. It became very insensitive towards Muslim Americans and Arab American people. The way that the character changed from being this Arab-American who was upset at the unjust treatment of his people to a more radicalized Muslim and Arab young man who was lashing out violently, I don’t think that would be appropriate at this time.”
AEW has released new rankings for 7/22. The biggest movement came in the men’s singles division with Maxwell Jacob Friedman retaking the #1 contender spot.
AEW Men’s Division
AEW World Champion: Jon Moxley (14-0) TNT Champion: Cody (15-1)
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (7-0) (+1)
Lance Archer (9-1) (+1)
Brian Cage (6-1) (-2)
Brodie Lee (5-1) (+1)
Darby Allin (7-4) (previously unranked)
#3 Brian Cage drops 2 spots in the rankings after losing his title shot against Jon Moxley at Fight for the Fallen. This means #2 Lance Archer and #1 MJF each move up one spot. Neither Archer nor MJF wrestled last week.
#4 Brodie Lee didn’t wrestle last week but he moves up one spot as Chris Jericho dropped out of the rankings.
#5 Darby Allin is back in the rankings after returning from injury. He picked up a win over Robert Anthony on Dark. He also appeared in the final moments of Dynamite, getting a measure of revenge on Brian Cage.
TNT Champion Cody defeated Sonny Kiss last week and has an open challenge setup for tonight’s Dynamite.
AEW Women’s Division
AEW Women’s Champion: Hikaru Shida (14-1)
Nyla Rose (7-2)
Big Swole (5-3)
Penelope Ford (4-4)
Kris Statlander (4-4) (injured)
Britt Baker (4-4) (injured) (role model)
There was no movement in the women’s division this week. Many of the top-ranked wrestlers in the division are unavailable at the moment. Baker and Statlander are both injured. Big Swole is suspended for kidnapping Britt Baker. #3 Penelope Ford hasn’t wrestled since dropping her title match to Hikaru Shida at Fyter Fest Night 1.
Champion Hikaru Shida picked up a win over Rache Chanel on Dark. The Unranked Nightmare Sisters (Allie & Brandi Rhodes) picked up a win on Dynamite.
#1 Nyla Rose had the week off after winning a 2-on-1 handicap match at Fyter Fest Night 2 and then announcing Vickie Guerrero as her new manager.
Tonight, Ivelisse and Diamante will face off. Diamante has had 4 matches in the promotion on Dark but this will be her first match on Dynamite tonight. The former LAX-member defeated KiLynn King on Dark this week. Ivelisse wrestled in the Casino Battle Royal at All Out last year but hasn’t been back in the promotion since.
AEW Tag Team Division
AEW Tag Team Champions: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page (10-0)
The Dark Order (7-0)
The Best Friends (11-4)
Jurassic Express (5-1)
The Young Bucks (4-2)
Private Party (5-3)
There was no movement in the tag-team division this week.
Unranked FTR defeated the unranked Lucha Bros on Dynamite. #4 the Young Bucks teamed with tag champion Kenny Omega in a win over Jurassic Express.
#2 The Best Friends picked up a win on Dark over Brady Pierce & Sabby.
There are two tag team matches scheduled for tonight’s Dynamite. #4 The Young Bucks will take on the unranked Butcher and the Blade in a Falls Count Anywhere match. #3 Jurassic Express will also go up against Chris Jericho and Jake Hager of the Inner Circle.
Ruby Riott defeated Peyton Royce on RAW this week. The win avenges a loss Riott suffered to the Iiconics member on the June 27th edition of RAW.
Riott took to Twitter to release a statement on the win and what it means in light of the double shoulder surgery she underwent last year.
“Monday night was a special night. My match against Peyton Royce might not have been for a title, or even an opportunity at one. But, it was my first singles win since November of 2019.”
Ruby then begins to address her relationship with former Riott squad member, Liv Morgan, in the statement.
“When I came back from my shoulder surgeries, I thought things would be exactly how I left them, but they weren’t. Things changed…people changed and I didn’t know how to handle it, but the fire that was lit after Peyton disrespected Liv Morgan, was one that I needed to shake the guilt and the defeat that I’ve felt for months.”
Ruby then addresses Liv directly in the her statement.
“Liv, if you watched on Monday, I hope you were proud. And Peyton, from now on, keep her name outta your mouth.”
Riott has wrestled 14 times since returning to action beginning on March 2nd, 2020. Dates listed below are when the match was taped, not when it aired. She’s only had one singles win and one tag-team win in those 14 matches.
3/2/20: Liv Morgan defeated Ruby Riott (RAW)
3/8/20: Elimination Chamber Match: Shayna Baszler (RAW)defeated Asuka, Liv Morgan, Natalya, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan (RAW)
4/13/20: MITB Qualifier: Liv Morgan defeated Ruby Riott (RAW)
Impact Wrestling presented Slammiversary this weekend. The show was promoted on the idea that several of the wrestlers recently released by WWE could appear. The Good Brothers, EC3, Eric Young, Heath (Slater), and the Motor City Machine Guns would all either debut or return to the promotion.
According to a report from PW Insider, early indicators are the show did well on PPV. FITE doesn’t publish streaming numbers and traditional PPV numbers won’t be available for awhile, however. Reports are that the Slammiversary buy rate was the best the company has done in “a long time.”
Slammiversary Social Media Numbers Break Records
Impact sent out a press release to note how well their social media numbers did during the show as well.
“IMPACT Wrestling captured the world’s attention on Saturday night,” said IMPACT Wrestling Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore. “Slammiversary 2020 was the result of two-and-a-half years of hard work by our incredible team and talented roster, along with new additions who have decided to bet on IMPACT.”
In terms of Twitter impressions, Impact nearly doubled their previous record. The top post for the company was the one in which it was revealed the Good Brothers had officially signed. Instagram impressions increased by 172% from their previous record.
“During the month leading up to Slammiversary 2020, IMPACT’s YouTube Channel saw its total views rise by 26.5 percent and total watch time grow by 32 percent,” a press release reads. “The channel, which already ranks as the No. 2 most-subscribed wrestling account on the platform, added over 100 thousand new subscribers, marking a 20% rise in monthly subscriber rate.”
Fans can check out Impact Wrestling every Tuesday night on AXS TV as well as Twitch.TV. Impact has its own streaming service, Impact Plus, featuring events from the promotion’s history dating back to 2004.
Orange Cassidy has become one of AEW’s biggest stars. Lately, he’s even been involved in a memorable rivalry with “Le Champion” Chris Jericho. The two main event’ed night 2 of Fyter Fest and on last week’s episode, Cassidy had orange juice dumped on his rival from up above.
Tony Khan was recently interviewed by ESPN and noted he didn’t originally have big plans for Cassidy when he first booked him for last year’s Double or Nothing. Cassidy was in the 21-person Casino Battle Royal at the 2019 Double or Nothing event.
“He clearly had a following, but he wasn’t somebody, when we started, that I was really particularly aware of or had real big plans for,” said Khan to ESPN. “[After Double or Nothing,] I spent a lot of time with Orange Cassidy and got to know him a lot better, and also talked to him about ideas, and that opened a lot of doors for both of us.”
Khan continued to say he was surprised by how much thought the performer actually puts into his rather unique character.
“I had no idea what an intelligent person Orange Cassidy is, and he is very, very smart. And really, I had no idea how well-thought-out this all was.”
Khan also noted that he feels Cassidy has been a real team-player in AEW.
“He’s multitalented, he’s a team player, he’s tried to make other people look good as much as possible, and the most important thing above all else is his work is phenomenal. He’s a great wrestler.”
Khan (and many, many other wrestling fans) dressed up as Orange Cassidy for Halloween last year.
Impact 7/21 was the first episode following Slammiversary and featured several new signees making their AXS TV debut. The Good Brothers, Curt Hawkins, EC3, and the Motor City Machine Guns would all appear on the show.
Impact 7/21 Quick Results:
X-Division Championship Chris Bey (c) defeated Willie Mack
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Moose (c) defeated Fallah Bah
Impact Tag Team Championships The Motor City Machine Guns defeated The North – New Champions
Here are 10 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 7/21
Motor City Machine Guns Win Tag Team Championships From The North
Both of these two teams scored big victories at Slammiversary. MCMG made their return to the promotion at the PPV as part of the Rascalz Open Challenge. The North retained their titles over Sami Callihan and Ken Shamrock on the show as well. It was also announced on the PPV, that the MCMG would get the title opportunity on this show.
The finish of the match came when The North went for their assisted spine buster finish but Sabin reversed it into a cradle on Page and got the pin.
There have been all-new champions now (aside from Moose’s TNT title) since Slammiversary. Eddie Edwards is the new world champion, Chris Bey the X-Division champ, Deonna Purrazzo the new KO champ, and now MCMG with the tag belts.
MCMG are now 2-time Impact tag team champions. They first won the titles in 2010 (titles were vacant at the time) and lost them to Beer Money 6 months later.
Ace Austin’s Run-In Buddies Attack The Good Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcq0NMSeCE
The Good Brothers made their AXS TV debut and took credit for Slammiversary trending worldwide. Their promo was then interrupted by Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. Austin said that Anderson and Gallows owed them an apology for the Good Brothers attacking them at the end of Slammiversary. Austin and Fulton then attempted to attack Anderson and Gallows but the Good Brothers tossed them out of the ring and stood tall to end the segment.
Later in the show, Anderson and Gallows were shown in the parking lot when Austin and Fulton pulled up in an SUV. With The Good Brothers distracted, Reno Scum attacked them from behind. A match was then made for next week between the two tag-teams.
The Talkin-Shop-A-Mania PPV on FITE August 1st was also promoted during this segment.
Eric Young Confronts New Champion Eddie Edwards
Eddie Edwards came out this week and said he plans on being a fighting champion. Edwards said he plans on defending the title every week against all challengers. Eric Young then came out to confront the new champion. Edwards told EY that Rich Swann is his friend and there is concern that after Slammiversary and Young’s attack, Swann may never be able to wrestle or even walk again.
Young told Edwards that he could have just as easily attacked him and that the only reason he was champion now was that he allowed it to be the case. The two brawled and had to be separated to end the segment.
Later in the show, Trey Miguel told Edwards he’d like a shot at his title. The match was made for next week.
Curt Hawkins/Bryan Myers Is Coming To Impact Wrestling, Heath Slips In The Back Door
Two new signees to Impact were involved in backstage segments this week. A new vignette featuring the former Curt Hawkins was shown. Bryan Myers sent the following out on Twitter in regards to his pending Impact debut:
Also, Heath (who can no longer use his last name) was shown several times trying to get into the building. Rhino had told him at Slammiversary to show up. Finally, at the end of the show Slater snuck in through a door marked “Exit.”
EC3 Attacks “TNA World Champion” Moose
Shortly after Eddie Edwards said he plans on being a fighting champion, Moose let it be known he does not plan on doing the same. Moose said in the back that you have to be invited to challenge for his title. He blew off comments about EC3 possibly challenging for the belt as well.
Later in the show, Moose would defend the unofficial title against Fallah Bah. The finish of the match came when Moose countered a move from Fallah Bah with a rake to the eyes. Moose then followed that up with the recently renamed “Lights Out Spear” for the win.
“Wrestle House” To Debut Next Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOv1zPFbLps
Rosemary has been trying to seduce John E Bravo as of late. The cards told her to manipulate him a while back. This week Bravo and Rosemary were shown in Bravo’s place where Rosemary thought they would be alone. Taya was there as well, however. Rosemary said, “Three’s a crowd unless its a party.” She then teleported several other guests to the home, including Crazzy Steve who remarked that this was the craziest reality show ever. It was then announced a new episode of “Wrestle House” will debut next week.
Chris Bey Retains In Slammiversary Rematch Against Willie Mack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMGg2IlXrIM
At Slammiversary, Chris Bey defeated Willie Mack for the X-Division title. He did it without the help of Johnny Swinger as well. This week the “Finesse Division Champ” retained again over the former champion. The finish of the match came when Mack missed a 6-Star Frog Splash and Bey countered with a springboard cutter.
Later in the show, Rohit Raju interrupted Bey’s celebration in the locker room. Raju said that Bey has a bullseye on him now that he’s champion but Raju is willing to watch his back. Bey doesn’t seem too interested but didn’t immediately turn him down.
Havok & Neveah Pick Up Revenge On Tasha Steelz & Kiera Hogan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LkqF8umTVI
Tasha Steelz and Kiera Hogan had been victorious in recent single’s matches over Neveah and Havok but would drop this tag match here. The finish of the match came when Steelz hit Havok with a steel chair but even that didn’t do much to prevent Havok and Neveah from beating her team down. Havok basically no-sold the chair shot and continued to deliver a tombstone to Hogan. Neveah hit Steelz with the chair and her and Havok celebrated to end the segment.
Rhino Defeats Hernandez In Quick Fashion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GwN5RdctZk
Rhino and Hernandez recently had an arm wrestling contest that went a full week. The two then engaged in a brutal backstage brawl before earning each other’s respect and deciding to split the money they had bet one another. This week, Rhino would defeat Hernandez just moments after the bell rang to start the match. Both Rhino and Hernandez handed over a wad of cash to the referee but as Hernandez did so, Rhino Gored him for the victory. Rhino picks up the win and earned all the money.
It was recently reported that Bobby Fulton’s throat cancer had returned and the legend of tag-team wrestling was back in the hospital. As it turns out, the cancer had not returned, although Fulton and his family had a miscommunication with the ER doctor that led to them believing it had.
Fulton’s son gave an update on his father’s condition recently. It turns out that while Fulton was coughing up blood, the blood was coming from an artery that had been damaged by his cancer treatment. The doctors informed Fulton the artery is right where his tumor was, only they used the word “is” instead of “was.” This led Fulton and his family to believe the cancer had returned.
The cancer has not returned and Fulton’s symptoms were from a damaged artery only. Surgery was performed to stop the artery from bleeding.
“So I said to another person that they’ve been telling me the artery was near where the tumor IS. That person told me they should have used the word WAS and not IS. And I said, yes it makes a big difference. I’m thankful that at this time, I can say I’m cancer free. I’m thankful for all the prayers and all the love you all continue to show me. That’s why it is always important to choose your words wisely. There’s a big difference between IS and WAS.”
Update on Dad: He’s still in rough shape and needs prayers and thoughts to continue. Thanks! pic.twitter.com/fAzeoFqgBY
— Fantastic Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) July 22, 2020
Just to be informative the surgery yesterday was not to remove the cancer, it was to stop an artery that was bleeding out. Sorry for any confusion.
— Fantastic Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) July 21, 2020
WWE has been discussing the formation of a new Nation of Domination, the late 90’s faction comprised of African American wrestlers that launched Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson into the stratosphere.
WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons returned to television on Monday’s Raw. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, original plans for Raw involved Simmons jumpstarting a revamped version of The Nation.
“There was an idea, I don’t know if it was dropped,” said Dave Meltzer. “Originally it was going to be on the show for a revamping of the Nation of Domination and Ron Simmons was going to be apart of that angle But they dropped that angle for this show.”
Meltzer continued, They may be building to it later, they may have dropped it completely but they had brought him in for this angle, so, therefore, that’s why he was on television.”
Ron Simmons appeared in a backstage segment and delivered some encouraging words to Bobby Lashley and MVP. Benjamin teamed with Lashley & MVP later in the show. The group is going by the name, The Hurt Business.
Nation Of Domination History
The Nation of Domination debuted in WWE in late 1996. Faarooq was the leader of the faction and was originally joined by Clarence Mason, Crush, and the members of PG-13. Other members such as Savio Vega would soon join.
In the summer of 96, Faarooq fired Crush and Savio Vega from the faction. Kama Mustafa, D’Lo Brown, and briefly Ahmed Johnson would then comprise the group. Mark Henry would also join in 97.
The Rock took over leadership of the group in 1998. He kicked out Faarooq and added Owen Hart to the mix. The faction would fall from prominence as the Rock began to turn babyface that year only to later join up with Vince McMahon’s Corporation following Survivor Series 98.
Tessa Blanchard was stripped of the Impact World Championship before Slammiversary last weekend. Her contract with Impact Wrestling had run out and she had not wrestled for the promotion since March. According to posts from “Belt Fan Dan” on Twitter, who has provided credible information in the past related to title belts, Blanchard was asking for a lot of money to drop the belt at Slammiversary. Another compounding issue is that Blanchard had the actual belt still.
Impact got a new set of belts.
Tessa reported wanted $150,000 to return the old one.
The promotional reportedly got a new belt to replace the one that Tessa Blanchard is in possession of. Eddie Edwards won the title in a 5-way match at Slammiversary.
Moose is also claiming to be the TNA World Heavyweight Champion at the moment. As it turns out, the belt he has been carrying around isn’t even the real one.
And the TNA belt Moose is using is a eBay counterfeit made in Pakistan.
The title belts in Impact underwent a design change last year when they debuted on AXS TV. Anthem Sports and Entertainment owns both AXS TV and Impact Wrestling now.
Impact World Championship Statistics
Eddie Edwards won the Impact World Championship for the second time in his career at Slammiversary. He previously held the title from October 3rd, 2016 to January 8th, 2017. Edwards won the title from Lashley and then dropped it back to him a few months later.
There have been 27 wrestlers who have held the Impact World Title. Kurt Angle’s 6 title reigns and 608 days as champion leads in both categories. Lashley is second in terms of combined days with the belt at 403 and is tied with Sting for second in terms of number of reigns with 4.
Kayla Braxton has twice tested positive for COVID-19. Once back in March and again recently. Unfortunately, Braxton said she has been sent numerous negative messages online regarding her health. She released a statement on the matter through her social media channels.
“I tested positive for covid late March. I notified my company and I left and self quarantined for 4 weeks,” Braxton begins her statement.
“I then was retested and tested negative. I still wore a mask and took all necessary precautions but then once again, I tested positive a couple of months later. This time I had no symptoms but still, I left work and self quarantined for 14 days. Last night, you all were tweeting super insensitive things regarding my health.”
Kayla Braxton Addresses Online Negativity
Braxton continued to elaborate on some of the negative messages she’s received.
“A couple of you even said you thought I had died and maybe that woulda been for the best. Guys. This isn’t okay. When I said don’t be stupid like me I meant, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t test positive twice. I did everything I could. And this can happen to you. Moral of the story is: stop bullying people online, especially for something that concerns health. It’s so gross and you should be embarrassed.”
Pro-wrestling experienced real tragedy earlier this year as a result of online bullying and harassment.
Braxton continued, “Let’s all be better. This is a hard time for everyone and we’re all experiencing a state of the world we’ve never experienced before. Build each other up. Help people. Just be good to people. And to all of you who have lent your support, I’ve seen you. And thank you. We need more people like you.”
After appearing at Impact’s Slammiversary PPV on Saturday, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows made an appearance on Being the Elite this week. The episode begins with the Young Bucks looking back on a meeting they had with Anderson and Gallows back in 2016.
Anderson, Gallows, and The Young Bucks are shown talking about how great their Bullet Club run is going. The Bucks then mentioned to Anderson and Gallows that they think they can start their own wrestling company. At first, Anderson and Gallows seem excited by the idea. After the Bucks left the room, Anderson and Gallows expressed some skepticism.
“You know this Bullet Club thing is getting us to New York, right?” Gallows whispered to Anderson.
“Those little marks not realize it’s a work?” Anderson asked.
“Do you think TNT wants wrestling after what happened last time? No,” Gallows asked.
“Vanilla little people is what it is,” Anderson said.
“We’re going to tag with Hunter one day, trust me,” Gallows continued.
“I love the fact that you want to team with Triple H,” Anderson added.
Anderson and Gallows don’t appear again in the episode. They will likely be on Impact Wrestling Tuesday night, however.
In recent weeks, multiple reports have stated that Kairi Sane will be leaving WWE shortly. A story in Tokyo Sports reported that Sane is likely returning to Japan by the end of the summer. A recent report from PW Insider, however, is now stating that this upcoming set of tapings from the Performance Center will be her last with the company.
WWE is scheduled to tape tonight’s RAW and next week’s episode today from the Performance Center. Sane then will likely not be on any further programming past the July 27th edition of RAW.
The report continues to say that Sane is leaving on good terms and will remain part of WWE’s extended family to some degree. There had been talk at one point of her serving in an ambassador’s role with a potential NXT Japan brand. Plans for a developmental territory in the country seem to have been shelved, however.
Sane was married earlier this year and WWE has been aware of her plans to return to Japan since at least May.
Sane signed with WWE in 2016. She won the Mae Young Classic the following year. She is also a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion along with Asuka and a former NXT Women’s Champion.
The Horror Show at Extreme Rules featured a rather unique match stipulation for Seth Rollins vs Rey Mysterio. The match could only end after one competitor had extracted the eyeball of the other. Mysterio had his eye badly damaged but WWE would later report that doctors felt there was a chance they could save his vision.
According to a report on Wrestling Observer Radio, this was done in case Mysterio ends up re-signing with the promotion. His injury allows WWE to write him out of storylines for now but then bring him back if he signs a new contract.
“That finish was because he had not signed,” said Dave Meltzer. “As I mentioned, if he doesn’t sign, the obvious finish is he has to lose. If he does sign, the obvious finish is that he has to win.”
“The reason they gave that open-ended thing that we may save his eye is in case he does sign, that’s their out.”
A user on Twitter posted some photos that show an extracted eyeball was visible during the post-match scene:
Meltzer would also note that what took place was not the original plan for the match.
“They did a different plan than the original plan which was a taped match and this CGI thing where you would see him lose the eye even though it wasn’t real.”
Apollo Crews was scheduled to face MVP for the United States championship at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules last night. The match didn’t happen, however. Instead, MVP just declared himself the new champion.
According to a report from Wrestling Observer Radio, Crews was removed from the show due to COVID-19 related concerns. Comments on the show seemed to imply Crews has tested positive for the virus but did not outright say that is the case.
“Apollo Crews was COVID-19,” Meltzer said regarding Crews’ absence from the show. “People have been suspecting it and it was.”
Crews would later post to social media regarding MVP’s title claims.
“MVP is the new United States Champion — at least, according to himself,” reads a WWE.com report about the situation. “He declared himself as such at The Horror Show at WWE Extreme Rules when Apollo Crews wasn’t cleared to compete in their scheduled match due to a bulging disc.”
The United States championship is the first title Crews has held since debuting on the main roster in 2016. MVP’s 419 days spent with the title across 2 reigns is good for 5th all-time in that category. Only Lex Luger, Ric Flair, Greg Valentine, and Blackjack Mulligan have held the title for more days.
Big Swole wrote and published a letter recently on issues impacting Black athletes in pro-wrestling. The title of her letter is “We Just Want To Be Heard.” It asks questions regarding why more Black athletes aren’t at the top of the wrestling industry.
“Imagine being told ‘I already have enough Blacks on my roster.’ This is what it is like being a Black professional wrestler. The keys to Black wrestlers’ success have been dangled up high but just close enough to give hope,” Swole wrote.
“Why is it that Black people dominate and excel in other participated sports except for wrestling? What is it about this profession that is different from the inner workings of other professional sports? One of the main issues is there are people in this business who actively try to deter the careers of Black wrestlers,” she continued.
Swole posted to Twitter that she is using writing as a form of release, leading to the publication of the letter. The below Tweet links to a Google file with the full letter.
Big Swole is currently suspended from AEW for kidnapping Britt Baker. The two have been involved in quite the feud as of late. Baker will not be cleared to compete until September, however. Swole was only informed of her suspension after she made the drive to Daily’s Place and arrived at 9 PM.
Bobby Fulton is currently in hospital and a surgery scheduled for this morning has been postponed. The 59-year-old revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer back in December. His Twitter account has been updating fans on his condition.
This is Dillon Hines. I’m sadly informing you today that my father has been admitted to the hospital. He’s in poor condition. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for him. Thanks! pic.twitter.com/hDIHfymcJw
— Fantastic Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) July 19, 2020
The cancer has returned to a different part of dad’s throat. We will need a lot of prayers. Thanks!
— Fantastic Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) July 19, 2020
Dad's surgery that was scheduled for 8am EST has been postponed to 1pm EST. This surgery is very serious as it is to take care of an artery that he is internally bleeding from. One wrong move in this surgery could cause a stroke. Prayers, please.
— Fantastic Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) July 20, 2020
In December, Fulton’s Twitter account posted the following:
“Good Evening! It’s Friday December 6th at 11 pm. As you know or most know, I had a very important Doctors Appointment today. The News wasn’t what I wanted to hear. God My Heavenly Father has never done me wrong ever! I serve a mighty God. A risen Savior in my Lord Jesus Christ. I want no sympathy! I’m just informing you, that I have cancer in my throat. That’s gonna be treated the game plan is being put together on this coming Tuesday. I want your continued prayers. ALL THINGS work together for good for those that love God. That are CALLED according to his PURPOSE. No sympathy just prayers. Thanks.”
Joey Ryan has released a new video addressing allegations made against him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement. Ryan begins the video by saying he has been silent this long on advice from both his therapist and his attorney. He then noted that since no legal action is being taken against him, he can now address the accusations against him.
“Since no legal action is being taken, I’m going to address them in this video,” Ryan said. He continued to deny individual allegations made against him.
“I have never had sex with a woman without her consent, I have never acted criminally towards a woman and I have never acted criminally with sex and unlike these allegations, I have actual evidence that can show you that,” Ryan continued.
Ryan continued to say he has text messages and other evidence that can refute all the allegations being made against him.
He then spends a good deal of time dealing with individual allegations and issuing evidence to refute claims. Most of the evidence Ryan shows to refute the claims are DMs or text messages from his accusers.
Possible Legal Response From Joey Ryan
Ryan ended the video talking about having lost friends to the allegations and people not even reaching out to him. He said many people said they couldn’t believe the allegations against him and Ryan said that’s because the allegations are not true.
Ryan also noted that he lost a job with Impact Wrestling because of the allegations. He also said that Impact said they would investigate the claims but never did and his contract stated he could not be fired for things that took place before he signed there.
“These are all things that I still have to consider and I’m still thinking about and considering all the legal recourse I have to take with any of these accusations but for right now I want to continue to work on myself and focus on myself because I believe we can all be better people.”
“I’ve also taken this opportunity to reconnect with God. I’ve always been a believer but a very, very dear friend of mine in the industry has reached out to me to remind me that being a believer is much different than being a follower. I can’t help but think that God has put this on my journey because I was going down a bad path and I had fallen away too far away from him.”
Drew McIntyre recently appeared on Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling and spoke about being the first British-born WWE Champion.
“Yeah, it felt incredible,” McIntyre said. “It was a dream of mine when I first came to America. I was just surprised that no Brit had ever won the title before especially the Bulldog. Regal was on a bit of a run and never quite pulled it off. Wade Barrett was on a run with the Nexus, I thought he’d do it and I’d have been happy for him but never pulled it off.”
“To be the first Brit just blew my mind,” he continued. “I really did take a moment sitting in the office here when I had the title, which I keep by my side at all times. Looking at it like ‘wow, that’s my life’s work.'”
“To see the world’s response was insane but to see the UK in particular, the way they reacted, mainstream media. I remember the BBC, the biggest media outlet in the UK, the special report that day, the two top headlines were Queen gives a speech and Drew McIntyre becomes first British Champion.”
Impact Wrestling has been heavily teasing that EC3 could be returning to the promotion tonight at Slammiversary. EC3 has been teasing his return to pro-wrestling following his release from WWE in April on social media through a series of videos. He just released a new video in the series last night.
During the rather intense video, he walks past people dressed in “Free EC3” shirts. There are also images from his WWE career burning in the video. The line “You have been warned” is also featured throughout. He then seems to walk into an underground wrestling event and beats up an unnamed opponent. EC3 finished him off with a reverse DDT followed by a modified crossface submission hold.
The full video can be viewed in the player below:
EC3 In Impact Wrestling
Known as Ethan Carter III, EC3 is a 2x former TNA World Heavyweight Champion. There’s a chance he could end up in the Impact World Title fatal 4-way match tonight at Slammiversary. One spot is open in the match that will determine a new title-holder for the vacant belt.
EC3 never won a title in WWE other than the 24/7 championship, which he held on 4 occasions.
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows recently announced that they have signed with Impact Wrestling. They also put out a podcast last night that detailed their departure from WWE and problems they experienced with Paul Heyman while on RAW.
During the conversation, they detailed re-signing with WWE last year after not being happy with their run with the company since 2016.
“We knew AEW would be successful, we knew they would pop off,” Anderson said. “We just succumbed to the amount of money and promises, kept or unkept, whatever that doesn’t matter, from WWE.”
They continued to say they were offered a lot of money to stay and that ultimately was the biggest factor in their decision.
“We signed because of the thought that this was going to be our last contract and we were ready to ride it out and wave the WWE flag as f***ing high as we could.”
Anderson & Gallows Re-Signing With WWE
Anderson and Gallows continued to say they don’t believe Triple H was aware of what they had done in NJPW. They said they felt as though he wanted AJ but wasn’t that interested in them.
Anderson and Gallows noted that Impact made them a good contract offer in 2019 as well. They also said they told the Bucks for about 6-months that they were coming into AEW before they eventually re-signed with WWE. Anderson and Gallows mentioned there may have been some hard feelings between the two sides as a result of how it all turned out.
“You can’t expect a global pandemic to hit but I didn’t think we would be on the first list for f***s sake,” Anderson said regarding their release during a pandemic.
Anderson & Gallows on Paul Heyman
During the podcast, the Good Brothers also detailed problems they encountered with Paul Heyman.
“To the end, (Heyman) is putting us over and telling us how good we are,” Gallows said.
“This is a quote (from Heyman), ‘If I ever lie to you, go on social media and f***ing bury me! F***king put me under the dirt because I deserve it and I want those guys in the locker room to know that I can’t fuckin’ be trusted!’ Guys in the locker room, he can’t be trusted and we’re online and I just buried him.”
During the conversation, it was also noted that there was some confusion over who made the decision to release them. AJ Styles is said to have confronted Heyman who denied being the one to make the decision but then Vince McMahon told Styles their release was a “Heyman decision.” This led to Styles requesting a move to Smackdown.
Heath Slater spent 14 years signed to WWE. He was released this past April in the middle of a global pandemic. Slater released a video on Instagram recently where he teases entering the next stage in his pro-wrestling career.
The video features Slater waking up from a nightmare that featured images of his WWE career.
“Leaving WWE may have not been on my terms, but moving forward the choices I make regarding my career and my life will be ONLY on my terms. Over the last 14 years, I lost the man I thought I was… but Thank God I’m finding him again,” Slater said in the posts’ comments.
“I’m ready to reignite my fire. I’m ready to be the wrestler I was meant to be, while being the father and the husband that my family deserves. Now it’s my turn and I’m going to rise. So y’all better watch the hell out.”
At the end of the video, Heath receives a “wake-up call” in his hotel room.
Impact Wrestling has been teasing that the next stage of Heath’s career could begin at Slammiversary tonight. The promotion has already confirmed that Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows will be on the show.
Ahead of tonight’s Slammiversary PPV, Impact Wrestling has announced that Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows have officially signed with the promotion. They will both appear on tonight’s show.
“It’s been 3 long months and everybody’s wondering what the good brothers are doing. Everybody’s wondering what countdown to **** town is,” Anderson said in a video Tweeted by Impact. “Everybody wants to know where the Machine Gun and the Big LG are going to land.”
“I think the most important thing right now is that we are live and the countdown has expired,” Gallows said before the camera revealed they were in an Impact ring. “The rumours are true. The internet buzz was correct. We have officially signed with Impact Wrestling. It’s midnight, we’re live, and we’re going to be live on PPV tonight for Slammiversary.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxFMw349mk
Impact Wrestling Slammiversary
Tonight’s Impact PPV is being built on the idea that any of the recently released WWE Superstars could appear. Heath Slater, EC3, Eric Young, and several others have been teased for the show. Additionally, a new Impact World Champion will be crowned in a fatal 4-way match. Former champion Tessa Blanchard was recently stripped of the title.
