Former WCW star Konnan has shared his belief that All Elite Wrestling’s Kenny Omega has “failed” on American television.

Speaking on his podcast Keepin’ It 100 with Konnan, Konnan acknowledged how Omega had managed to get “majorly over” in both Mexico and Japan. However, he doesn’t believe Omega has been able to connect with American audiences in the same way.

Konnan attributed this to Omega’s promos, pointing out how they aren’t on the same level as other top wrestlers. He also highlighted how Omega “has not been pushed as a star, but just another guy who can work.”

He noted how there is plenty of other talent who know how to work. Because of this, “Omega doesn’t stand out in any way.”

He juxtaposed Omega’s AEW presence to how he was used in Mexico. According to Konnan, Mexican fans loved Omega as an aura had been built around him. This led to fans going crazy every time he entered an arena, something Konnan believes “has not happened in AEW.”

Kenny Omega “Doesn’t Cut A Good Promo”

Konnan’s co-host, Disco Inferno, added his thoughts on the matter. He explained how wrestling weekly on American television is totally different from being an independent wrestler or performing in Japan. He added how talent needs to not only have matches but deliver promos, sell facial expressions, and build up a plethora of skills every week.

When it comes to Omega’s mic work, Disco Inferno stated “Omega doesn’t cut a good promo.”

He added, “This is why it has become difficult for him to elevate himself to the level of Jericho and Moxley because his mic skills are not close to those guys. Also, he doesn’t understand the psychology of what you have to do in the ring and mic on American TV.”

Disco noted how it’s not a good look if a wrestler’s character “can’t even get over in squash matches.” He stressed how a wrestler shouldn’t focus on making their opponent look good, but should instead focus on getting over as a superstar. It’s something he believes AEW has yet to do with Kenny Omega.

Apollo Crews has addressed MVP’s proclamation from last night’s The Horror Show at Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

During the event, MVP would come out with Bobby Lashley. MVP claimed how, because Crews was unable to defend his championship, he was now the WWE United States Champion via forfeit. MVP then grabbed the recently revealed re-designed US Championship belt from ringside.

WWE did not announce MVP as the new champion or seemingly acknowledge or recognize MVP’s declaration. At the time of writing, WWE.com still lists Crews as the current WWE United States Champion.

Crews responded to MVP’s actions, taking to Twitter to write:

“@The305MVP is trippin thinking he can claim himself the #USChampion. I was looking forward to shutting you BOTH up once and for all tonight at #ExtremeRules but once I’m cleared .. #ImComingforwhatsmine”

Apollo Crews was set to defend his WWE United States Champion at Extreme Rules against MVP. However, Crews would suffer a storyline back injury courtesy of MVP’s associate Bobby Lashley. This injury forced the match to be canceled.

It was noted during the show that Crews was in attendance at the WWE Performance Center for the show, but was unable to pass the physical to allow him to wrestle. There has been speculation that Crews’ removal from WWE programming could be due to coronavirus concerns, but this has not yet been confirmed.

WWE has released an update on Rey Mysterio following last night’s “Eye for an Eye” matchup. Mysterio faced off against Seth Rollins, eventually losing the hotly contested and personal bout.

Issuing a storyline update on Mysterio’s current condition, WWE wrote:

“After the sickening conclusion of the Eye for an Eye Match, Charly Caruso provided an update on the condition of Rey Mysterio. Mysterio was rushed to a local medical facility to be treated for a potential globe luxation.”

The update continued, “Medical experts were optimistic that if the optic nerve is not severed and there is not too much strain on the blood vessels and nerves that connect the eye to the rest of the head, there’s a chance Mysterio can maintain his vision.”

Last night’s “Eye for an Eye” confrontation took place during WWE’s The Horror Show at Extreme Rules event. It was the first time this match type has taken place. A victor could only be declared after they had forced an eyeball out of their opponent’s skull.

Several reports suggested WWE would use CGI or effects to pull off the conclusion to the match. However, that ultimately wasn’t the case. Instead, the ending came after Rollins forced Mysterio’s eye into the corner of the ring steps. Once he had seen what he had done and realization set in, Rollins would throw up at ringside.

NXT Superstar Tegan Nox recently let fans into her personal life via an Instagram post where she revealed she was gay. In the post, Nox is posing with her girlfriend as the couple are looking at one another. Nox accompanied the picture with a caption that read, “Life is good.”

Speaking with Newsweek.com, Nox opened up about her decision, why the time was right, and the subsequent reaction from the WWE Universe.

Nox confessed that her life had always been a “don’t ask, don’t tell” situation. However, she felt it was the right time, “especially when you’ve found the right one you’re in love with.”

She shared how the reaction had been generally positive. Nox noted, “There are a few people who obviously don’t agree with that, but 99 percent of the reactions have been positive.”

The NXT Superstar added how she’s been receiving texts from colleagues and friends in support of her. She was grateful that there are “so many nice people in the world.”

When asked if she had sought any advice from openly gay Superstar Sonya Deville, Nox admitted the two have spoken. She explained she talked to Deville before uploading the image and called her a “big, big help.”

According to Nox, Deville shared her number and invited her to text her if she ever needed anything. Crediting Deville as a huge supporter, Nox noted how Deville has been helpful with fans. Nox explained how her family knew she was gay, but her fans in the WWE Universe didn’t. She added how Deville helped her to “bring it out to the public.”

Tegan Nox recently lost a WWE NXT Women’s Championship match to Io Shirai. The two fought on this past Wednesday’s episode of NXT.

The Miz has opened up about losing his main event push back in 2011 following WrestleMania XXVII. He addressed the lost momentum during an interview with Busted Open Radio. 

Miz confessed he felt his momentum shift following his victory over John Cena at WrestleMania XXVII. He pointed to how “creative changed in the background.”

He believes this change-up within the creative team stymied his main event run. 

“Whenever you hear about heads leaving, and then another head coming in to kind of, you know — obviously Vince runs the entire thing,” Miz stated. “But there are different, I guess you can say creative people, that are different writers that when you have a head leave, and then another head comes in, he’ll have his guys.

He admitted that when he eventually lost the WWE Championship to Cena, there was a “role shift” in the writing process.

At that point, he claimed could see what was going to happen. According to Miz, he foresaw that he was going to be utilized to develop new talent:

“I was just utilized for the past, I don’t know, year to make me, to get me to where I am. Now it’s time to make other people. And I didn’t have the wherewithal to make sure that I was being made as well. And I didn’t have the experience, and I think it took me a little while.”

The Miz On Having To Rebuilt

The Miz also addressed how being drafted to RAW further damaged his momentum. He explained how when a Superstar is drafted, it “changes your career, like it changes everything.”

Miz then recalled being on SmackDown, “primed up and ready for the WWE Championship.”

At the time, he was in the Intercontinental Championship scene. He believes the Intercontinental Championship was “more talked about than any other title in WWE.” This built his confidence, leading him to believe he was heading directly to the WWE Championship.

“And then I got drafted to Raw, and once I got drafted to Raw I felt like I went from here, and I had to build myself back up,” Miz said. “[…] I was able to do that, and I did it once again. And once I felt like I was ready and primed up for the WWE Championship again, I got drafted again. And it just — it keeps going back and forth, and you have to build yourself up.”

The Miz acknowledged how not every Superstar faces that challenge. He explained how some are forever positioned in a main event slot and can be easily drafted without losing status and momentum. He admitted that this didn’t apply to him. Instead, he had to be re-developed and actively build himself up again with each subsequent brand change.

WWE RAW Superstar Kevin Owens has praised Rey Mysterio, labeling the luchador as one of the greatest of all time.

In a recent interview with ESPN.com, Owens shared how, alongside Shawn Michaels, he believes Mysterio to be the greatest wrestler to ever step foot into the squared circle.

Owens explained how Mysterio is a great person and that anybody who knew him would say the same thing. He added how “[…] it means even more when it’s a guy who’s achieved that level of success, who’s achieved the kind of milestones that he’s had.”

He explained how Rey Mysterio’s humility and continued in-ring skills are undeniable traits that drew Owens to Mysterio. This is true for him not only as a fan but as a person. Owens added how Mysterio is still so humble “even though he would have any and all reasons not to be.”

Kevin Owens On Learning From Rey Mysterio

Kevin Owens shared how he was “pumped at the prospect” of working with Mysterio upon his return in 2018. He added how just being around Mysterio and learning from him was something he had looked forward to. According to Owens, watching Mysterio and seeing the kind of person he is influenced and inspired him.

“I just watch him, the kind of person he is, and I learn because that’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind in wrestling,” Owens said. “His son is now getting involved and it’s been great to see his son around. He’s everything a wrestling veteran should be.”

Rey Mysterio will face Seth Rollins this Sunday at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. The two will see their feud culminate in an “Eye for an Eye” matchup.

The Horror Show at Extreme Rules takes place on Sunday, July 19. The event will be held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Tony Khan has addressed PAC’s current status with All Elite Wrestling. Speaking with NYPost.com, Khan explained how current travel difficulties have been impacting the promotion. He pointed directly to how the coronavirus pandemic is responsible for keeping PAC from attending AEW Dynamite shows.

Khan confessed he missed PAC. He explained how current travel limitations are causing a lot of problems at this time. He stressed that, if PAC were to attempt to travel, he would be stuck for two-weeks at a time in quarantine. Khan believes that ultimately creates an unsustainable travel schedule for the wrestler.

“As I understand it, if he were to go back to England, if he were to come here and he was able to get in, do a quarantine after travel then he would also, when he tried to go home, he’d be in a two-week quarantine before he could do anything.”

Tony Khan continued, “So it just doesn’t seem like a sustainable situation right now because PAC lives in England, so until travel is sustainable and he could do what he used to do, which is come here and stay and do a few shows and then go back to England and really commute across the Atlantic, it’s very challenging right now.”

The AEW President stressed how until international travel becomes truly safe, AEW won’t “rush him back” to television.

All Elite Wrestling announcer Jim Ross has shared come critical feedback for Taz and his newest protoge, Brian Cage. 

Ross spoke about Taz and Cage’s recent on-screen dynamic during a recent episode of Busted Open Radio. During the show, Ross addressed Cage’s match from this week’s Fight for the Fallen. According to JR, work still needs to be done with AEW’s camera presentation. He also stressed how Cage needs to “show more personality.”

“We had some camera work that we need to be more aware of. Taz does not need to be standing in front of Brian Cage,” Jim Ross stated. “I’m not knocking Taz. He may take it that way, but so be it. Nonetheless, we have to have better positioning in that regard.”

Ross noted how Taz has been delivering some “damn good promos” in his attempts to hype up Cage. However, when Cage was presented with Taz’s FTW Championship, Ross argued Cage “didn’t register it one bit.” He stressed that Cage was “nonplussed” by the honor.

“So, if it didn’t mean sh*t to him, then why should it mean sh*t to me, or you, or the fans?” Jim Ross argued. “There have been a lot of good things in this build. I like Taz’s heel work. His promo work is as good as anybody we have right now, quite frankly. But, Cage has got to show more personality…He is a hell of an athlete and sometimes he works as a babyface with all the flying stuff and that may need to be addressed. It’s a learning process.”

Brian Cage finally got his AEW Championship match this past Wednesday night. He ultimately lost to AEW Champion Jon Moxley after Taz threw in his orange towel after Moxley locked in a belly-down armbar.

Current WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion and co-WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bayley has addressed her on-screen character’s evolution.

Speaking with DigitalSpy.com, Bayley opened up about trying to push her character and grow during the coronavirus pandemic. She admitted that the current global situation has helped her freely explore different character choices. Bayley attributed this to the fact she doesn’t “have to worry about the fan’s approval.”

She added how she also doesn’t have to worry about fans believing in what she’s doing or “not buying” what she is saying in her promos.

Bayley shared how she can be very loud. She noted that her voice easily echoes throughout the WWE Performance Center as it’s currently so empty. It’s something she finds “hilarious.”

Bayley thinks WWE’s decision to perform in front of zero fans has benefited her. She shared how this time has allowed her to find herself within her current character:

“I’ve always had in the back of my head an idea of this character that I wanted to try if I were to change. So it was kind of me just throwing things out there and being like, ‘hey, I got this, I got this and I want to do this,’ and just (WWE) trusting me to do it.(WWE) had to really trust me and I had to really go for it, and that’s why I had to change everything and in order for them to believe it.”

Bayley is set to defend her WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship this Sunday at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. She faces off against Nikki Cross.

Current WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles has shared his thoughts on Roman Reigns’ current hiatus away from in-ring action. Reigns made the decision to not attend his Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 36 due to coronavirus concerns.

Speaking with The Irish Sun, Styles stressed how it’s impossible to deny Reigns’ star power. “The Phenomenal One” referred to Reigns as “one of the biggest stars in WWE” adding how “He’s WWE. I mean, he’s the guy. so to get him back would be a big help.”

Styles then reflected on his interactions with Reigns since he first debuted in WWE back in 2016. He relayed how he was known as an “indie guy” and was presented with a perfect scenario against Reigns.

“This guy from Japan just walked right in there and step in the ring with Roman Reigns. Now the perfect scenario was in place because not everybody loved Roman. Now he is definitely one of the biggest stars but not everyone loved Roman then and so you have this indiedarling, right? And it was like, oh, they made it easy for me to be in there with Roman, because Roman is such a huge star.”

AJ Styles explained how it only got better from there when he had the chance to compete against Reigns. He reflected on his championship opportunity against “The Big Dog” and shared how their match was “unbelievable.”

“I’ve watched it back. Wow. I can’t believe we did all this stuff that was really good,” Styles confessed. “So, yeah, Roman Reigns is a big part of the reason why my career’s where it’s at.”

AJ Styles will defend his Intercontinental Championship during tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. He faces off against SmackDown’s newest Superstar, Matt Riddle.

It appears as though WWE is teasing a future matchup between Kabuki Warrior members Kairi Sane and WWE RAW Women’s Champion Asuka.

Both Sane and Asuka appeared on RAW Talk following this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. The team lost a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match to defending champions Sasha Banks and WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley.

At one point during the show, Sane turned to her partner. She declared her interest in a matchup if Asuka were to emerge victorious from her upcoming championship match at Extreme Rules.

Sane shared how “If you want that match, I am ready for…Asuka.”

After embracing her partner, Asuka responded: “I want to face you, I want to face you.”

Kairi Sane then revealed how a match with Asuka is her “dream.”

Kairi Sane’s WWE Status

It is rumored Sane is preparing to leave WWE following the end of her contract. However, WWE is reportedly expected to make another, lucrative offer in its attempts to keep her on its roster. Prior to her recent singles matchup on the July 6 episode of RAW, Sane had been away from WWE programming following a match with Nia Jax in June.

Asuka will defend her WWE RAW Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks at WWE’s next pay-per-view. The two clash at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules on Sunday, July 19.

New Day member Big E has revealed what he believes would have happened to him had the stable not succeeded in WWE. 

Speaking on his podcast The New Day: Feel The Power alongside Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, Big E shared his predictions. According to Big E, he thinks he may have been released by WWE or “sent back down to NXT.”

When first debuting New Day, there was a lot of pressure to make the stable work: “It just feels like this is it. This is the last big pitch. All my chips have to be in on this.”

Addressing their guest, former WWE writer Michael Notarile, Big E explained how he had to put a lot of faith and trust into him. Furthermore, he acknowledged how he had to listen to Notarile’s advice and guidance. This was because he “knew so much more” than he did at the time, especially when it came to how things worked and the best way to put things together.

“I think instantly it all just felt right when Woods first came to me and then we worked with you and then with Kofi. It felt like, ok, these are the four men that should be working on this together,” Big E said. “It just felt like all the pieces were where they needed to be. I didn’t know what in incarnation or how long the group would last.”

Big E noted how they would have been happy to have been together for six months if it meant TV time. He believes it’s “amazing” that they are still going strong six years since their initial debut.

Current WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles has opened up about his future ambitions in the squared circle. During his interview with Vicente Beltrán of ViBe & Wrestling, Styles also confessed he “would not hesitate” in giving The Undertaker a championship shot.

Styles believes he still has more to give before considering retirement. He admitted he intends to push his body to the limit. Styles highlighted how he enjoys what he does for a living, respects pro wrestling, and is proud of everything that he has accomplished. Because of this, Styles intends to “do this as long as my body and my mind allow it.”

He admitted how his body and mind are often at odds. Styles explained his head will tell him he can do something, only for his body to reject the idea. Comparing his position with his WrestleMania opponent, The Undertaker, Styles added:

“This is something Undertaker has already talked about and it is something that happens every day because you love what you do.”

AJ Styles On Giving The Undertaker A Title Shot

AJ Styles then turned his attention to The Dead Man. Having lost the Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36, Styles shared how he is eager for a potential rematch. He acknowledged that, if it were to happen, he would be interested in performing in front of a live crowd as opposed to another cinematic matchup.

“If that means that he returns to a ring and we face in front of thousands of people, I would not hesitate for a moment. but will it happen? Would he be able to accept it? Probably not. If he decided that his career is over, I respect it. He has already done everything he had to do and has said: “That’s it, I have had enough” and believe me, I know what it is like.”

Styles reflected on The Undertaker’s extensive career. He added how ‘Taker has undoubtedly earned the right to say “enough” but reiterated how he wouldn’t hesitate in offering him a championship opportunity if he wanted it.

Current NXT North American Champion and NXT Champion Keith Lee is confident he is destined to headline WrestleMania with another NXT Superstar. According to Lee, it’s only a matter of time before he and Dominik Dijakovic cross paths on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.”

Taking to Twitter, Keith Lee shared how he and his longtime rival have “beat the crap out of each other” over the years. However, their professional rivalry and bond has only strengthened with each bout. Because of the way they push one another, Lee shared how Dijakovic is “forever my dude.”

“One day we will main event #Wrestlemania. And we’ll beat the crap out of each other again. Big shoutout to @dijakovicwwe. I love that guy. #FeastYourEyes”

Keith Lee recently became the new NXT Champion, defeating Adam Cole in the main event of NXT’s Great American Bash Night Two. This victory saw Lee become a double champion in WWE. It also saw him snap Cole’s impressive 403-day reign as NXT Champion.

Dijakovic last featured on NXT programming on the May 6 episode of the black-and-gold brand. He lost to Johnny Gargano. It has been rumored that WWE is interested in bringing Dijakovic to either RAW or SmackDown in the near future.

All Elite Wrestling star Sonny Kiss has released an official statement regarding hateful comments made against him by a fan.

In the now-deleted tweet, the fan wrote:

“Seriously Cody Rhodes this is supposed to compete with WWE now? You having a match with this low class f*t he’s a joke that I’ll never take seriously. He Twerks in the ring like a stripper one of his moves is banging your face into his ass really?!!”

Having reflected on the swell of support he has received, Kiss shared how the support means a lot to him. In the wake of the negative words, both fans and pro wrestlers rallied behind Kiss.

Kiss shared how he has been open and comfortable with who he is since he was practically a baby. Because of this level of personal acceptance, “You can’t shame someone who is unabashed.”

He added how he firmly stands with the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in making wrestling a more positive and comfortable escape for people. Kiss believes this is something “we should all strive for.”

Sonny Kiss explained how “Sadly, I’d imagine the people on social media who spew hatred are often feeling more pain and sadness than what they’re inflicting on others. I won’t speak for everyone and I will continue to respect everyone’s responses that come naturally to them. We’re human. We have emotions. For me, I try my best to not counter hate with hate, but rather with confidence.”

Kiss is scheduled to face off against Cody Rhodes this Wednesday in a TNT Championship match. He added how this opportunity isn’t just for him, it’s for the entire LGBTQ+ community.

All Elite Wrestling’s Matt Hardy has hinted at his concerns over WWE’s current storyline between his brother Jeff Hardy and Sheamus.

The two have been feuding for weeks, with a heavy focus of the narrative being put on Jeff Hardy’s past real-life substance abuse issues. It’s something Matt Hardy believes could be adding “unneeded pressure” on his brother.

Responding to a fan on Twitter, Matt Hardy stressed how AEW has allowed him to “brand his persona.”

He explained how this freedom has seen him help out younger talent both on-screen and backstage. Matt Hardy noted how AEW has celebrated his legacy and contributions to the pro wrestling industry.

It was argued how Matt is being celebrated for his impact on the industry in AEW, whereas Jeff is being presented as a “junkie.”

It was then asked, “What if he relapsed?” These concerns are clearly shared by Matt Hardy, who acknowledged he has the same worries for Jeff.

Having lost to Sheamus at WWE Backlash, Jeff Hardy and Sheamus are scheduled to face each other once more. They will clash in a Bar Fight. The match takes place at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, which airs on July 19 on the WWE Network.

Former AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose has explained how she came to be hired by All Elite Wrestling. She shared her story during an interview with Tony Schiavone and Aubrey Edwards on AEW’s official podcast, Unrestricted. 

When reflecting on her initial hiring, Rose was asked about how Kenny Omega first reached out to her. It was explained how nobody was aware that Rose was transgender when they first approached.

Nyla Rose explained how she wasn’t asked to join AEW just to fill a “check box.” Being approached on her own merits as a professional wrestler was “the biggest compliment” for her.

“It made me feel really good because they didn’t see me as a check box, like, ok, we got one of those. They were like, we like this chick. We like what she does in the ring. We want to put her on television and we want that with us,” Rose said. “Well, at the time, there was no television, but you know what I’m saying. They knew it was happening. I didn’t know it was happening.”

“The Native Beast” recently revealed how she has hired a manager to help her in-ring career and AEW championship aspirations. Nyla Rose made the announcement during Fyter Fest Night Two.

NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano has responded to a fan accusing him of being “scared” of moving to either RAW or SmackDown.

It was suggested that Gargano had achieved everything he could hope to achieve in NXT. According to the statement, Gargano wouldn’t have a successful career if he didn’t move to WWE’s red or blue brand.

Gargano replied to the accusation, wanting to directly address the idea that he is scared of WWE’s main roster. He argued how he’s in a position to work side by side with his wife, Candice LeRae. He added how he also gets to share the locker room with Superstars he has traveled the world with for years.

Gargano proceeded to explain how he has a “great relationship” with everyone in the office. Additionally, he gets to “WRESTLE” and help grow a product he truly believes in. According to Gargano, that is his definition of what success is.

Johnny Gargano recently competed in a few unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the NXT North American Championship. He lost to Keith Lee at NXT: In Your House back on June 7. Gargano also lost a Triple Threat opportunity for the title on the June 17 episode of NXT. He went on to reclaim some momentum by defeating Isaiah Scott at NXT’s The Great American Bash Night Two.

SmackDown Superstar Jeff Hardy has shared a list of top names in WWE that he’d love to wrestle. Speaking with WWE show The Bump, Hardy opened up about some of his dream opponents once his current feud with Sheamus has concluded.

Hardy admitted that it’s been a dream of his to once again wrestle AJ Styles. He noted he they have crossed paths before when Hardy “went to another wrestling world.” He added how Styles was his first match back in WWE, “and I remember being so nervous because he was so good. We’re both the same age, but we’re the complete opposites.”

Alongside “The Phenomenal One,” Hardy named Roman Reigns and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt as Superstars he’d love to compete against. Jeff Hardy noted how if he was able to feud with “The Fiend,” he’s confident they would be “something special between me and him.”

Jeff Hardy is set to face off against Sheamus at WWE’s upcoming event The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. They will compete in a Bar Fight matchup. The last time these two Superstars competed, Hardy lost to Sheamus at WWE Backlash back in June. 

The Horror Show at Extreme Rules take place on July 19 on the WWE Network. 

Former Los Ingobernables de Japon member EVIL has commented on his momentous championship victory at NJPW Dominion. EVIL defeated Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championship, shocking the crowd in attendance.

Taking to his Twitter account, the new champion boasted about his win. He also taunted fans about his new “pareja” (partner), former Kai En Tai member Dick Togo.

“”EVIL is 71st. IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION and 25th. IWGP INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION. And you all like my new “PAREJA” Dick Togo @boliviacuba, don’t you!? Bullet Club is perfect EVIL. #EVIL #BulletClub.”

Bullet Club is EVIL

EVIL turned on his former LIJ stablemate after successfully defeating Kazuchika Okada during the New Japan Cup Finals on 7/11. He aligned himself with longtime heel stable Bullet Club. He debuted a new attitude, new gear, and even new theme music for his championship bout with Naito.

Following the bout, which featured Bullet Club interference, LIJ member Hiromu Takahashi would run out to assist Naito. These events led to a challenge that EVIL has accepted. His first-ever defense of both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championship will now take place against Takahashi at NJPW’s Segonku Lord in Nagoya event.

Prior to this champinoship clash, however, is New Japan Road. Taking place on 25/7, EVIL will be a part of a Bullet Club team set to face LIJ, including Naito and title contender, Takahashi.

Sengoku Lord in Nagoya takes place on July 25.

All Elite Wrestling’s Matt Hardy has opened up about his experience with the promotion to date. He also detailed his future plans in the company and how where he sees his current gimmick going.

Speaking with Sportskeeda, Hardy shared how he has been “thrilled” so far with his time in AEW. He added how he “honestly can’t say enough good things about it.” 

Hardy explained how he wanted to pick up where the Broken Matt Hardy character should have been left off. This is what led to the creation of his Free The Delete show on YouTube. He noted how the show highlighted how a “new version” of Matt Hardy was heading to AEW.

Since his time in the promotion, Hardy has been embracing several different gimmicks and appearances that reference his career, often within the same segment or match. He explained that had always been his intention. 

“Once I started, from the jump, my plan was to do different versions of my personas throughout time, as the ‘Multifarious’ Matt Hardy. Ultimately my goal is to lead that into something new, something to put that together into one entity, and have that be the next persona I really want to get over and run with.”

Matt Hardy has recently been accompanying and helping Private Party. He coached them from ringside during their AEW Tag Team Championship match on Wednesday night at Fyter Fest Night Two. Despite their best efforts, however, they were unable to wrest the championships from reigning champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page.

This week’s episode of AEW Fyter Fest Night Two saw Taz bring back the FTW Championship. He awarded it to his new protege, Brian Cage.

Taz and All Elite Wrestling are able to use the championship on television because it never officially owned by ECW. Because of this, ownership of the ‘FTW’ rights never transferred over to WWE when they purchased ECW.

Additionally, Taz himself owns the copyright to the belt’s design. The belt Cage received this past Wednesday night was the actual FTW Championship belt Taz defended.

Taz held the FTW Championship during his run in ECW back in the ‘90s. Prior to Cage, only two wrestlers have held the FTW Championship: Taz and Sabu. The title would eventually be unified with the ECW World Heavy Championship in March 1999.

Brian Cage was scheduled to face off against AEW World Champion Jon Moxley this past Wednesday. This was forced to reschedule, however, after Moxley’s real-life wife, WWE’s Renee Young, confirmed she had COVID-19.

Wanting Cage to head into their reschedule championship bout with some momentum, Taz presented him with the FTW Championship. This now makes their future bout a champion versus champion matchup.

Brian Cage and Jon Moxley will face off for the AEW Championship next week on AEW Fight for the Fallen on TNT.

New NXT Superstar Karrion Kross has already made a major impact since debuting on WWE’s black-and-gold brand. Turns out he’s already got an idea of who he’d like to face at WrestleMania. 

Speaking with the Gorilla Position podcast, Kross revealed he’d love to stand opposite none other than Brock Lesnar at “The Grandest Stage of them All.”

According to Kross, the “measuring stick” should be defined by who can draw the most people into a building and garner the most attention.

“[Brock Lesnar] is a guy that transcended sports entertainment. He is in mainstream entertainment. I think that figures like that in our business are pretty important.”

Karrion Kross added how wrestling always wants to create new fans. He explained how, although there are hardcore purists amongst WWE’s audience, it’s important to have a mainstream appeal as well. 

He then juxtaposed Lesnar with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Kross argued that although he’d love to face Lesnar at WrestleMania, in terms of generating attention and interest, that he’d have to go with The Rock as his personal measuring stick.

“I think he is the highest paid actor in Hollywood. He came from here. If someone wants to emulate the absolute most success they can find in this business, I would say The Rock is the guy.” 

Karrion Kross featured during the tail end of this week’s episode of NXT Great American Bash Night Two. He was revealed to have been watching the main event clash from above the ring. This appearance heavily hints at his NXT Championship aspirations going forward.

During the first episode of his new Confessions of a Hitman series, Bret Hart reflected on his feud with his brother Owen Hart back in 1993. He also spoke about how Owen never got a big break in WWE despite his in-ring talent.

Hart recalled how when he was first pitched about feuding with his brother, he didn’t want to do it. When WWE told him the planned story, “The Hitman” shared how he needed to think about it as he was reticent over feuding with his brother. 

Speaking with his mother on the subject, Hart shared how she began crying down the phone. He argued that Owen needed a break and that this feud could be the very thing that could help:

“I needed to do this for Owen, so he could show everybody that he’s better than they give him credit for. They didn’t understand how good of a talent Owen was.”

Bret Hart On Getting Owen Hart A Big Break

Bret Hart had informed Owen of WWE’s plans and told him to think about it too. He reflected on his close relationship with Vince McMahon at the time, noting he had some “leverage” as “they needed me and they had to re-sign me.” 

He spoke with WWE and explained that Owen needed to be pushed, adding “I’m not asking you. I’m telling you because he’s too good of a wrestler and he’s going to quit and become a fireman because you guys aren’t using him very [well]!’”

According to Hart, he spoke with his brother the next day to get his thoughts. Owen was apparently all in on the idea. This surprised Bret who had decided he didn’t want to feud with Owen.

“He goes, ‘why can’t I work with you? I’d make’ – because I was the highest paid wrestler with the company at that time and whenever you wrestled me, you got paid the highest – he goes, ‘why can’t I get my break? I can work with you and we’ll have great matches.'”

It was because this conversation that Bret Hart would agree to their sibling rivalry.

Turning his attention to Owen’s time in WWE, Bret Hart believes the company “never gave him a real break.” According to him, WWE just pushed Owen to the side. He noted how by being beaten down enough times, it’s hard to “make your stock rise unless something magical happens.”

He added how if an individual is torn down so many times, you can’t be revived. If that happens, your career is done. This is something he believes was happening to his brother.

“I remember talking to Owen about it. I said, ‘quit, go home, go somewhere else. Go to Japan for a couple of years. Then, come back and you’ll get your break.’ They needed good wrestlers, but they obviously missed the boat with Owen. I think for a long time.”

If you are interested in subscribing to his Confessions of a Hitman series, you can do so here.

New Day member Kofi Kingston has claimed The Big Show is responsible for forever changing his chest. The former WWE Champion made his claims on a recent episode of the stables podcast, The New Day: Feel The Power. Big Show was a guest on the show.

When their conversation turned to Big Show’s famous chops, Kingston mentioned how Big Show delivered hard chops to Superstars based on their attitude. He added how he wished Big Show had let him know about that back in 2009. Kingston joked how he used to have a full chest before competing against Big Show.

“I wished that you would have told me that back in 2009 because I came out, I debuted in 2008, and you’ll remember, I had a nice, full chest. My chest was popping. Do you know what I mean?” Kingston said. “I go to do a pushup and my chest hits the ground. Do you know what I mean? I had a real, life chest. And then, [Show] and I ended up having a match, and I got chopped so hard in the chest, and my chest has never been the same since.”

Kofi Kingston’s Receipt

The Big Show opened up about how the hard chops were a receipt to Kofi Kingston. He explained how Kingston had delivered a stiff shot to him with a spinning back kick. That kick connected hard with his chin. Big Show added how he’s only been kicked hard on the chin by two people: Kofi Kingston and RVD.

According to Big Show, Kofi Kingston came into their match wanting to show off his “fighting spirit, which was making me crazy.”

He explained how he was in the corner when Kingston nailed a hard kick. Big Show noted how appreciated the effort as he likes it when sequences are “snug.” He then explained how there’s something in the business called a receipt.

Big Show shared how Kingston delivered that kick, so he was happy to deliver the receipt with the chop that supposedly forever changed Kingston’s chest.