Former WWE NXT Superstar ACH will make his return to the ring this month, close to two years after his previous wrestling match.

ACH, who competed as Jordan Myles in WWE NXT, will compete for SCW Pro Wrestling on Saturday, July 13, at the company’s Red, White, and Bruised event. SCW Pro’s Twitter account shared the news and the match will mark ACH’s debut for the company and he will face Shain Boucher. Boucher is a graduate of the Black & Brave Academy run by WWE’s Seth Rollins and has competed for SCW Pro for years.

SCW Pro Red, White, and Bruised will take place at the Blue Grass Community in Blue Grass, Iowa. Doors will open at 6:30 pm local time with the show set to begin at 7pm. Tickets for the show begin at $10.

ACH

ACH, full name Albert Christian Hardie Jr. joined WWE NXT in February 2019 and expectations were high for his time with the company. In the finals of that year’s Breakout Tournament, Jordan Myles defeated Cameron Crimes, earning himself a future championship opportunity. Myles chose to challenge then-WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole but was defeated in September of that year.

The following month, controversy spawned when WWE released Myles’ first t-shirt which showed his name surrounded by the shape of a mouth. Though it was said to be inspired by The Rollins Stones logo, many, including Myles, said it resembled blackface and the NXT Superstar accused WWE of racism. He would also accuse ROH (where he had previously worked) of racism and claimed former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal was an ‘Uncle Tom.’ ACH released a video in November saying he’d quit WWE as he “refused to work for racists” and his release was confirmed by WWE that same month.

Booker T On Jordan Myles’ Quitting Video: “He’s Doing Himself An Injustice”

Outside of WWE, ACH has competed for Impact Wrestling, Lucha Libre AAA, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, NOAH, and other promotions. This week’s match will be his first match since September 2022, when he, Mark Andrews, and Jah-C defeated Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis, and Zachary Wentz.

ACH (Albert Christian Hardie Jr.) has announced his retirement from pro wrestling.

In a message posted on social media, ACH wrote, “No need for the dramatic or emotional word play. As of today I will officially step away from professional wrestling. Thank you all for the support and love.”

ACH has been wrestling since 2007. He competed for various organizations, including Ring of Honor, NJPW, Chikara, CZW, Dragon Gate, Impact, MLW, PWG and more. He wrestled in WWE and NXT as Jordan Myles (2019).

We wish ACH the best of luck in whatever he decides to pursue next.

MLW Fusion on 1/20 featured a World Championship match between Jacob Fatu and ACH. Two other members of Contra Unit were also in action last night as Simon Gotch took on Jordan Oliver and Daivari faced Zenshi.

The full show can be viewed in the player below:

MLW Fusion 1/20 Quick Results:

1. Daivari (Contra Unit) defeated Zenshi
2. Simon Gotch (Contra Unit) defeated Jordan Oliver (Injustice)
3. MLW World Championship
   Jacob Fatu (Contra Unit) (c) defeated ACH

Here are 6 key takeaways from MLW Fusion 1/20:

Daivari Picks Up First Win For Contra Unit

While Josef Samael isn’t able to physically be in the venue for recent MLW events, he’s added new troops since the restart. In addition to “The Black Hand of Contra” Mads Krugger, the faction has added Daivari to its ranks as well.

The finish of this match came when Zenshi missed a 450 splash and Daivari hit a hammerlock short-arm clothesline for the win.

Caribbean Strap Match Scheduled

Savio Vega is finally going to get his hands on Richard Holliday. He might even get his Caribbean Championship belt back. Holliday has been proclaiming himself as the title-holder for months, despite not officially defeating Vega for it. This week, Savio Vega sent in a promo and promised to use the very same strap that he and Steve Austin beat each other with on Holliday. Later in the show, Holliday said he would accept the terms in the contract he was sent for the match.

This long-running feud will reach a boiling point next week when Richard Holliday faces Savio Vega in a Caribbean Strap Match.

Simon Gotch Picks Up 2nd Win For Contra Unit

We were supposed to get this match at Kings of the Colosseum but Gotch went MIA for the event, only returning to aid in a Contra Unit assault on Injustice. While Jordan Oliver provided significant competition for Gotch, it would be the Contra member’s submission skills that would earn him the victory here. The finish of the match came when Oliver springboarded off the ropes but was caught in a sleeper by Gotch. The ref called for the bell but Gotch wasn’t done. He held onto the submission after the bell and then gave Oliver a Gotch-driver.

Jacob Fatu Retains Title Over ACH

ACH went into his title match against Jacob Fatu with taped up ribs. This was due to an attack that took place outside his gym. It’s not clear who attacked ACH, but he would say he thought he heard the voice of Dominic Garrini from Team Filthy. Is Tom Lawlor upset that ACH is getting a title shot before him? Lawlor denied these allegations when confronted with them by Alicia Atout earlier.

ACH took a beating in the early parts of the match. He mounted a comeback despite his injuries, however. He hit a springboard cutter, a hurricanrana, and an enziguri but Fatu countered with a hard kick and followed that up with a pop-up Samoan Drop and then his springboard moonsault finish for the win.

Injustice Spoils Contra Unit’s Clean Sweep

It seemed as though nothing could go wrong for Contra Unit on this night. They’d won all 3 matches on the card including Jacob Fatu defending the World Championship. As Daivari and Fatu were cutting a promo on the stage at the end of the night, they were suddenly attacked by two flag-bearing members of the Sentai Death Squad. As the two members unmasked, they were revealed to be Jordan Oliver and Myron Reed of Injustice. Contra Unit may have won all 3 matches this night, but it would be Injustice who would close the show getting the last laugh.

Also this week in MLW

• Tom Lawlor and Team Filthy denied allegations that they attacked ACH before his match with Jacob Fatu. His faction found a creative way to pronounce “ACH” but said they aren’t worried about him and are focussing on the coming debut of “Filthy Island.”
• Salina de la Renta blew off Alicia Atout’s questions about the change of ownership regarding Promociones Dorado. Salina says the only thing anyone should be worried about is what Mil Muertes is going to do next.
• Mads Krugger cut a promo directed at Alexander Hammerstone. The two wrestlers fought to a draw at Kings of the Colosseum but now they will square off in 2 weeks in a Baklei Brawl.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling recently announced that they would be holding their Super J-Cup, a sporadically held junior heavyweight tournament, in the United States. This tournament will include both NJPW wrestlers who are unable to travel to Japan due to COVID-19 restrictions, and non-NJPW-affiliated wrestlers.

This eight-man tournament will take place over a single day on December 12, 2020, and will be streamed live, with English commentary, on NJPW World. The first round matches are as follows. See the bracket structure in the featured image.

• Clark Connors vs. Chris Bey [IMPACT Wrestling]
• ACH vs. TJP
• Rey Horus vs. Blake Christian [Game Changer Wrestling]
• El Phantasmo vs. Lio Rush

A former WWE backstage producer was recently arrested in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. According to a report from PW Insider, Sarah Stock was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with aggravated battery, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and resisting law enforcement.

She was booked and released early Sunday morning by the Vandenburgh Sheriff’s Department.

Stock had been with WWE since 2015 but was furloughed this spring and later released due to the ongoing global pandemic. She wrestled as Sarita in TNA Wrestling from 2009 to 2013. She has also competed for companies such as Shimmer as well as CMLL in Mexico. Stock had previously wrestled under the names Dark Angel and Canadian Dark Angel as well.

While in TNA, Stock won the promotion’s women’s tag-team championships twice. She won the inaugural titles in 2009 with Taylor Wilde. They would hold the belts for 106 days before dropping them to Awesome Kong and Hamada.

Stock would team with Zelina Vega in 2011 and again win the belts. This time her team defeated Angelina Love and Winter to gain the championships. They would hold the titles for 129 days until dropping them to Brooke Tessmacher and Tara. Her 2 reigns and 227 combined days spent with 1/2 of the women’s tag belts ranks her 5th all-time in the promotion.

• WWE Releases Mike Rotunda & Sarah Stock

Former WWE Superstar ACH has reflected on his ignominious departure from the company’s black-and-gold brand NXT.

The former-Jordan Myles spoke with the Submission Squad podcast, looking back on his public, vocal displeasure with WWE. With time to reflect, he admitted that was “ashamed” of himself and his approach.

ACH confessed he had a “meltdown” in front of the entire world: “I said so much stuff and if I was to go back and take it all back…it really sticks to me.” He spoke about how he had been working his dream job in WWE and making money from pro wrestling.

ACH added how he was finally at a place in his life he had worked had to be and had only just begun to feel comfortable. 

“I’ve sacrificed a lot of pro wrestling, and I don’t expect anything back, but I made a lot of sacrifices,” ACH stated. “I’m ashamed of myself. I’m embarrassed. This is something that I’ll never be able to shake.”

ACH admitted that the entire situation and its fallout has taken away his passion for wrestling to the point he doesn’t even want to watch any pro wrestling. He shared how he would wake up and questions life’s purpose.

“Without my passion, what do I do?” he pondered. “It’s going to be a stain on my career forever.”

ACH made waves back in October after taking vocal issue with a WWE t-shirt design.

ACH returned to Major League Wrestling Thursday night at the MLW Opera Cup from Queens, New York.

• Full Results from the MLW Opera Cup

MLW sent in a press release confirming ACH’s return and announcing he will compete at their next event, Zero Hour, which takes place Saturday, January 11th from Dallas, TX at the NYTEX Sports Center in Ft. Worth. Tickets for that event start at $15 and are now available MLWTickets.com.

MLW’s announcement reads, “Known for bombarding adversaries with a variety of 450º splashes and signature moves like the Dragon Ball Z (multiple elbows to a cornered opponent followed by a running thrust attack), ACH is a powerhouse anime character come to life. Wowing crowds around the world, the Austin, Texas native is a dynamic athlete. Combining uncanny agility with blistering strikes, ACH is the evolution of the modern-day fighter.”

In addition to ACH’s return, the top match announced for MLW Zero /hour is a No Ropes Barbed Wire Match featuring Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner.

Talent signed to appear includes World Tag Team Champions Ross & Marshall Von Erich, World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu and CONTRA Unit, Salina de la Renta, LA Park and Hijo de LA Park, The Dynasty, Injustice, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. and more.

Check out this footage of ACH’s return to MLW at the Opera Cup:

Former Ring of Honor star ACH made his NXT television début at Wednesday’s TV tapings from Full Sail University.

ACH made his NXT live event début last week on March 7 in the opening match at the NXT live event on Thursday in Largo, FL at the Minnreg Hall. He was defeated by Raul Mendoza.

He is using his real name Albert Hardie Jr., and on the tapings he faced Humberto Carrillo in a losing effort.

• Related: Spoilers: WWE NXT TV Tapings Results (3/13/19)

ACH was announced to have signed a contract with WWE on February 11 where he started working at the WWE Performance Center. He was part of February’s class of recruits which included names such as Jonah Rock and Trevor Lee.

Scoop #13: Welcome to NXT, Albert Hardie Jr. (ACH) pic.twitter.com/lL3UgGqzEg

— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) March 13, 2019

It is not known yet if ACH will get a new ring name or he will continue wrestling under his real one. ACH made a name for himself working in promotions like ROH, New Japan Pro Wrestling, AAW, and more. It will be interesting to see what he brings to the WWE.

Former ROH (Ring of Honor) star ACH made his in-ring debut under the WWE NXT banner. He did so by taking on Raul Mendoza in the opening match at the NXT live event on Thursday in Largo, FL at the Minnreg Hall.

ACH, who is going by his real name Albert Hardie, lost to Raul Mendoza in a singles match.

He was part of the recently announced Performance Center recruiting class and has been training at the facility since then in Orlando, Florida in order to get used to the WWE style that Triple H implements to all new talent.

https://twitter.com/GoGoACH/status/1103823338785439749

#NXTLargo The WDW Army Report! 1st bout: @RaulMendozaWWE vs. ACH pic.twitter.com/SJDKnQxfXi

— Jeff Reid (@JeffReidUP) March 8, 2019

WWE NXT Largo, FL Results

• Raul Mendoza defeated Albert Hardie (ACH)
  The Forgotten Sons (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler) def. Brennan Williams & Stacey Ervin Jr.
• Deonna Purrazzo def. Jessie Elaban
• Eric Bugenhagen def. Mansoor Al-Shehail (w/ Shadia Bseiso)
• Matt Riddle def. Babatunde Aiyegbusi
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley made a surprise appearance by cutting a promo in the ring.
• Io Shirai & Kairi Sane vs. Aliyah & Vanessa Borne vs. Rhea Ripley & Reina Gonzalez ended in a no contest. After the match, Banks & Bayley saved Shirai & Sane an attack.
• Keith Lee def. Luke Menzies
• NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream def. Adam Cole

It’s that time of year when WWE welcomes a new class of NXT recruits to the performance center in Orlando, Florida. In recent weeks, we’ve been hearing about some familiar names from ROH, New Japan, Impact and the independent scene will be participating. An exclusive report from Raj Giri at WrestlingINC confirms several members of the new class.

We recently reported on Trevor Lee not only leaving Impact Wrestling but announcing he had officially signed with WWE. The former X-Division champion begins his new journey at the WWE Performance Center in February. He won’t be alone, however, as he will be joined a number of other notable names.

Rachael Ellering, daughter to Paul Ellering, will also be starting. Rachael has actually had experience performing for NXT and was a part of the 2017 and 2018 Mae Young Classic.

Karen Q, who has been making strides for herself as a part of ROH’s Women Of Honor, is another member of this new rookie group. She also competed in the 2018 Mae Young Classic.

Perhaps one the most notable names to be joining them come February is ACH. ACH has experience performing all around the world, most notably for both ROH and NJPW. He has performed in both New Japan’s ‘Best of the Super Juniors’ tournament as well as the Super Jr. Tag Tournament.

Rounding out the group of NXT’s newest signees are former TNA Gut Check winner, Sam Shaw, Scott Parker and Shane Matthews, Jonah Rock, Elliot Sexton, and Nick Comoroto.

Who do you think WWE has their eyes on? Who’s going to be the stand out amongst this stacked group?

WWE is said to have interest in Albert C. Hardle, better known to wrestling fans as ACH. According to a report from PW Insider, the 31-year-old is someone WWE is looking at bringing in when the company announces more signings in January.

The soon to be 31-year-old currently competes in MLW and in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He recently teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi in NJPW’s Super Junior Tag League. Their team finished up the tournament with a 3-4 record.

He left Ring of Honor after a 4-year run with the company in 2016.

ACH and WWE’s Rumored January Signings

ACH is one of several names being thrown around for a rumored batch of WWE signings to take place in January. Last year’s class of January signings included War Machine and Ricochet.

Shane Strickland is another name rumored to be WWE bound in early 2019. The former MLW Champion is reported to be finishing up with his former promotion at the 2-night Fusion tapings in Miami next month.

ACH also competed on the recent Lion’s Break shows in Anaheim. ACH defeated NJPW California young lion Karl Fredricks on the tour before being defeated by Hirooki Goto the next night. He was on MLW’s Fury Road event in October but did not compete at Fightland: Chicago show this month.

Major League Wrestling has announced the first 4 participants for the July 19th, 2018 Battle Riot match. Not surprisingly, the sadistic Kevin Sullivan is among the first group of confirmed entrants.

MLW promises the winner of the match will earn a shot at the MLW World Championship currently held by Shane Strickland. Eliminations occur via pinfalls, submissions, or from being thrown over the top rope.

“A mash-up of a battle royal, royal rumble and anything goes street fight, this super-sized main event will feature 40 wrestlers with new participants entering the ring every 60 seconds.”

The match will be filmed for MLW’s weekly television series, “MLW Fusion” on BeIn Sports. The event will be held in Queens, NY at the Melrose Ballroom on July 19th, 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qFDyPfyHM8

First Battle Riot Participants Announced

4 wrestlers have been confirmed for Battle Riot so far:

John Hennigan – the man known as Johnny Impact/Mundo/Hennigan/Nitro has been with the company since late last year. It’s a big summer for Johnny, who will also be a participant in the upcoming season of Survivor.

As Johnny Impact, he is also booked for Slammiversary on July 22nd, just 3 days after Battle Riot takes place. Hennigan will also be featured in the 4th season of Lucha Underground which premieres tomorrow on the El Rey Network.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. – One-half of the Killer Elite Squad, Smith debuted in the original Major League Wrestling 14 years ago. The original MLW formed out of the ashes of ECW but was only short-lived. Promotion owner, Court Bauer, would later be hired to work as a writer for WWE.

“Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan – the man who once put together the alliance to end Hulkamania will be in an MLW ring on July 19th. With names like Sullivan, Col. Robert Parker, and Tony Schiavone, MLW likes to pay homage to the past. While Sullivan’s best days might be behind him, he was always ahead of his time, meaning he’s still got something to offer modern-day wrestling.

ACH – ACH has been a featured performer for MLW since its re-launch. The Dragonball Z fan will have his work cut out for him if he is to outlast 39 other participants, however.

MLW also stressed the following in regards to Battle Riot:

There will be surprises! There will be legends! There will be WTF entries! And there will be no disqualifications!

IMPACT/GFW announced the return of the Super X Cup during their TV tapings on Monday. The following names have been announced for the third iteration in the tournament’s history: Drago, Davey Richards, Andrew Everett, Dezmond Xavier, Idris Abraham, Ishimori, Sammy Guevara and former Ring of Honor star ACH.

This was ACH’s official debut for IMPACT, his last appearance on a global scale was at the New Japan Pro Wrestling Best of the Super Juniors tournament earlier this year. Ever since his ROH departure he has been working independent shows and has mainly stayed away from the major promotions, do you think that ACH has a shot at being a big star in GFW? Let us know in the comments.

ACH vs Andrew Everett now #ImpactWrestling pic.twitter.com/OirUgIORjW

— Josh (@joshua7520) July 4, 2017

The Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker lawsuit has had far-reaching legal consequences. The precedent set by the case is expected to impact the future of journalism and celebrity privacy.

Netflix will be releasing a documentary on the case, and have just released the first trailer for the move:

The Many Facets of Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker

The co-founder of Paypal, Peter Thief, helped bankroll the lawsuit against Gawker. The media company had previously released private information as well.

WWE cut ties with Hogan after the tapes were released, allowing Hogan to sue Gawker for lost revenue.

More information should be revealed in the upcoming documentary.

The main event of this week’s NXT was a women’s championship 3-way elimination match. Asuka would once again defend her title against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross.

NXT
June 14th 2017
Full Sail University

1. Drew McIntyre vs. Rob Ryzin

• No highlights of this match were posted.
• This was a showcase match for Drew.
• McIntyre wins a quick bout, finishing him off with a Yakuza kick.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

2. Authors of Pain vs. Anthony Dominguez & William Freyday

• Only Akam wrestled for AOP in this match. Rezar just stayed on the outside and talked with Paul Ellering.
• Akam finished off the local talent, and his partner finally came into the ring after the match to deliver the Super Collider.
• They cut a promo about how Heavy Machinery were foolish to challenge them.
• This brought out Heavy Machinery and the 2 teams stared each other down for a moment.
• Paul Ellering got in between the four of them and ordered his team to back away.

Winners: Authors of Pain

3. The Velveteen Dream vs. Raul Mendoza

• The Velveteen Dream does not appear to be going by Patrick Clark anymore.
• He wins clean here with a very Macho Man-esque flying elbow drop.

4. NXT Women’s Championship Match
3-Way Elimination Match
Asuka (c) vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross (Sanity)

• Cross picked up the first pin by eliminating Riot with a corkscrew neck breaker while Riot was draped on the top rope.
• Asuka and Cross then just started to have a wild brawl.
• They brawled to the back and the ref waved the match off.
• In the final move of the brawl Cross hit Asuka with a cross body that took both of them through a table.

In the latest edition of the Elite’s Youtube series “Being the Elite”, Omega and the Young Bucks play a “harmful rib” on Masa. They also welcome Flip Gordon to the Ring of Honor roster.

Cody and Frankie Kazarian also appear on this episode:

Being the Elite

The Bucks and Omega have now posted 57 episodes of the show, which often includes other members of Bullet Club.

Flip Gordon, who took part in Ring of Honor tapings back in June, only started his career back in 2015.

The Young Bucks recently won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championships at Dominion, and are scheduled to defend those titles against former champions, Roppongi Vice, at the NJPW Los Angeles show on July 1st. The Bucks are also ROH tag team champions, and will most likely face War Machine soon.

Kenny Omega most recently wrestled to a time limit draw with Okada at Dominion. He is scheduled to participate in the IWGP U.S Championship tournament on July 1st and 2nd.

The 16 Carat Gold weekender is arguably one of the biggest in Independent wrestling and this year’s iteration certainly delivered on the lofty expectations of the wXw fans.

The three day event featured some of the best that the European, US and Japan scenes have to offer and here are the results over the three days:

Day 1 – March 10th

Cody Rhodes b. Da Mack

Marius Al-Ani b. JT Dunn

Timothy Thatcher b. Koji Kanemoto

Ilja Dragunov b. Robert Dreissker

Matt Riddle b. Donovan Dijak

Bad Bones b. Paul London

Mike Bailey b. ACH

WALTER b. David Starr

https://twitter.com/wXwGermany/status/841363240403779586

Day 2 – March 11th

Non Tournament Bout – Jeff Cobb b. Donovan Dijak

Matt Riddle b. Mike Bailey

Ilja Dragunov b. Timothy Thatcher

WALTER b. Marius Al-Ani

Bad Bones b. Cody Rhodes

wXw Shotgun Championship Match – David Starr (c) b. Absolute Andy, ACH & Paul London to retain the wXw Shotgun Championship

Non Tournament Bout – Robert Dreissker b. JT Dunn

wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship Match – Jurn Simmons b. Axel Dieter Jr. (c) to become the new wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion

https://twitter.com/wXwGermany/status/841325551642169345

Day 3 – March 12th

Ilja Dragunov b.. Bad Bones to advance to the finals

WALTER b. Matt Riddle to advance to the finals

Non Tournament Match – Bobby Gunnz b. Koji Kanemoto

wXw Tag Team Championship Gauntlet Match – A4 b. Paul London & Da Mack, Avalanche/Julian Nero and Ringkampf to retain their titles

wXw Shotgun Championship Match – Emil Sitoci def. David Starr, Jurn Simmons and Cody Rhodes to become the new wXw Shotgun Champion

Alpha Kevin b. Marius Van Beethoven in a No Ropes Match

Non Tournament Match – Mike Bailey & ACH b. Donovan Dijak & JT Dunn (w/ Cody Rhodes)

Ilja Dragunov b. WALTER to win the 2017 wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament

https://twitter.com/wXwGermany/status/841015668514381830

The annual wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament has become one of the most prestigious events in today’s Independent wrestling scene and some of the biggest perfumers in the industry have won the 16 man competition. Former winners include Chris Hero, El Generico, Tommy End, Zack Sabre Jr and Sami Callihan.

This year’s iteration begins on March 10th in Oberhausen, Germany. The full event will be available to view in full on wXw’s on demand: www.wxw-wrestling.com/pages/media/wxwnow.php

https://twitter.com/wXwGermany/status/835414183130902529

Here are the results from PWG’s Mystery Vortex IV show that took place in Reseda, California.

Trent b. Candice LaRae

Trevor Lee b. ACH

Matt Sydal b. Pete Dunne

reDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) b. Death By Elbow (Chris Hero & JT Dunn)

Chuck Taylor b. Adam Cole – Taylor is now the Number 1 contender to the PWG title

Matt Riddle & Jeff Cobb b. PWG Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks

PWG Champion Zack Sabre Jr b. Marty Scurll – ZSJ took the submission victory to retain his title

Look who showed up in Reseda this evening! Took on Matt Sydal at PWG #mysteryvortex pic.twitter.com/cTunTTNFne

— ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB) December 17, 2016

The latest development in the ongoing battle between WWE and the various wrestlers suing them came today in the form of WWE filing a motion to dismiss the action filed by Marcus “Buff” Bagwell and Scott “Raven” Levy. This is the case dealing with WWE Network royalties, and there are two prongs to it:

1. That WWE has a legal obligation to pay both wrestlers royalties for WCW footage in general.
2. Levy’s 2000 WWF contract, because it allows for royalties from videos released in formats yet to be invented and did not specifically exempt royalties from internet and video on demand subscription fees the way current WWE contracts do.

WWE’s motion to dismiss deals with each in simple yet highly detailed fashion:

1. WWE does not fall under any of the legal criteria that would make it a successor company to WCW, if just because the legal entity formerly known as WCW still exists as the Universal Wrestling Corporation. Both plaintiffs’ WCW contracts also saw them forgo video royalties in exchange for other considerations.
2. The key language in the contracts is that royalties come from a “direct sale” of WWE home video products, with the references to technology not yet invented referring to formats like Blu-Ray. It didn’t exist at the time of the contract, but, like VHS, Laserdisc, and DVD, it’s a physical product that can be sold and re-sold. There’s also a detailed argument about how there’s legal precedent saying that a “sale” refers to a physical product, not a temporary license like a WWE Network subscription is. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt also points out that a WWE contract’s royalty structure is pretty much impossible to apply to WWE Network.

No word yet as far as when a ruling should be expected.

WWE Smackdown (11/29)

This week’s episode of Smackdown kicked off with Renee Young in the ring. Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch joined her in the ring for a contract signing for their Smackdown Women’s Championship match this Sunday at WWE TLC. Alexa Bliss told Renee Young to get out of the ring. Bliss also scolded Renee for her fashion choices. Becky Lynch then compared Alexa to her four year old cousin. Bliss continued to insult Becky Lynch and they both signed the contract. After they both signed it, they brawled in the ring. Lynch hit the Becksplex on Alexa Bliss. Alexa then fought back and shoved Becky through a table off of the turnbuckle.

Reaction: I thought this promo was really good. Becky Lynch can be a bit of adventure on the microphone but tonight she did a good job. Alexa Bliss is excellent on the microphone and her facial expressions are hilarious. I find this feud to be much more interesting than the one between Charlotte and Sasha Banks on Raw.

.@AlexaBliss_WWE blocks @BeckyLynchWWE's #Bexploder, and sends the Champ crashing through the table! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/gbOh4XYeVU

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

Dolph Ziggler & Kalisto vs Baron Corbin & The Miz

Corbin dominated the match early and threw Ziggler out of the ring. The Miz was then tagged in and he immediately grabbed a ladder from under the ring. Ziggler got up and connected with a DDT on The Miz outside the ring. Ziggler then hit Corbin with a Superkick. Back in the ring, Ziggler tagged in Kalisto. The Miz hit Kalisto with a boot to the face and dove outside the ring onto Ziggler. Miz then launched Ziggler into the barricade surroinding the ring.

Kalisto then dove onto Corbin outside the ring. Ziggler hit a Superkick on The Miz as he was lying on the ring apron. Maryse shoved the ladder into Ziggler’s face. Kalisto landed the Salida del Sol on The Miz in the ring. Before the referee could count to three, Baron Corbin nailed Kalisto in the back with a chair. The referee then disqualified The Miz and Baron Corbin.

Winners via DQ: Dolph Ziggler & Kalisto

Reaction: This was a quick match but it served a purpose. Ziggler will be facing The Miz in a ladder match for the IC Title on Sunday. Corbin will be squaring off with Kalisto in a chairs match at TLC. Both the ladder and a chair came into play during this match. I like it when things make sense, don’t you?

.@BaronCorbinWWE, you can't do that until Sunday at #WWETLC! @HEELZiggler & @KalistoWWE win by DQ! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/IDPvwvv19j

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

American Alpha were interviewed backstage about their match tonight versus Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. Gable and Jordan stated that they will prove again tonight why they are the best team in the WWE.

Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and Luke Harper were then shown backstage. Orton interrupted Wyatt and questioned Luke Harper. Orton asked Harper if he was going to do what needs to be done tonight against Kane. Harper looked aggravated and Wyatt instructed Harper to go send Kane back to hell. There is obviously some friction between Harper and Orton. I do not believe that Harper is completely sold on Orton joining the Wyatt Family.

"Harper … go send @KaneWWE back to HELL!" – @WWEBrayWyatt #SDLive #WyattFamily pic.twitter.com/GLnJn5MvrR

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

Carmella came down to the ring for a match but that never happened. Carmella gave a special message to John Cena. Carmella apologized for what she will do to his girlfriend, Nikki Bella at TLC. Carmella claimed that she was going to rearranged Nikki’s “Bella twins” and her face as well. Nikki Bella came sprinting from backstage and attacked Carmella. The referee seperated them and that allowed Carmella to haul off and slap Nikki in the face. Nikki then got up and continued the assault on Carmella.

"@JohnCena, I want to publicly apologize for what I'm going to do to your girlfriend [at #WWETLC]." – @CarmellaWWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/lNqKBBw8PB

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

Ambrose Asylum w/ Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose introduced James Ellsworth as his first guest on the Ambrose Asylum. An “Ellsworth!” chant broke out amongst the crowd. Ambrose poked fun at Ellsworth’s old wrestling boots. Ellsworth thanked Ambrose for helping him become an official WWE Superstar. Ellsworth stated that if Ambrose ever needed anything he would do it. Ambrose asked Ellsworth to wash his car, do his laundry and pick him up a six-pack and some candy for later.

Ambrose asked Ellsworth who he will be rooting for this Sunday at TLC. Ellsworth stated that it would be an honor to wrestle Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship. AJ Styles interrupted the party and stood on the announce table. Styles poked fun at Ellsworth and called him a dummy. Ambrose stated that Styles had then lost to a dummy three times.

Styles got in the ring and claimed that he was tired of Ambrose making him out to be a joke. Styles demanded respect and claimed that he was going to beat the hell out of Ambrose at TLC. Styles dared Ellsworth to show up during his match againt Ambrose at TLC. Ambrose claimed that Styles was weak mentally. Ambrose stated that this Sunday the fun and games were over. Ambrose went on to state that he will recapture the WWE World Championship at TLC.

Styles pushed Ellsworth into Ambrose who fell into a ladder. AJ then whipped Ellsworth into a table and smashed Dean Ambrose with the steel steps. Styles returned to the ring and beatdown Ellsworth. Styles hit Ellsworth with a ladder and then tossed him out of the ring. Ellsworth’s feet got caught up in the bottom rope and Styles hit him with a steel chair. AJ then hit the Styles Clash on Ellsworth off of the steps onto the floor outside the ring.

Reaction: Finally, Styles got the upper hand on Ellsworth and Ambrose. I find Ellsworth to be very entertaining but I’m not really interested in seeing him in the WWE World Championship picture. Having said that, this was a very good promo. There has only been one match in the first hour and fifteen minutes of tonight’s Smackdown. Usually that would annoy me but tonight’s promos have all ended in brawls.

"@AJStylesOrg has just delivered the MOTHER OF ALL #StylesClashes to @RealEllsworth!" – @MauroRanallo#SDLive #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/KKihIY7zO4

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

Luke Harper vs Kane

Kane and Harper tied up to begin the match. Kane shoved Harper down and Harper got back up and they locked up again. Harper bounced off of the ropes and hit a couple of shoulder blocks but Kane was not phased. Kane then leveled Harper. Luke Harper got back up and hit Kane with a series of uppercuts. Kane once again shrugged them off and came right back at Harper. Smackdown went to a commercial break with Luke Harper outside the ring with a shocked look on his face.

When Smackdown returned, Harper was in control of the match and had a Chinlock applied to Kane in the center of the ring. Kane battled out of the Chinlock and hit a Jawbreaker. Kane went for a Chokeslam but Harper blocked it and kicked Kane in the head. Harper went for a pinfall but Kane kicked out at two. Kane fought back and connected with a DDT on Harper. Kane followed it up with a Sidewalk Slam and went for a pin but Harper kicked out. Harper battled back and hit Kane with a Dropkick to the ribs. Kane was affected and hunched over in the corner. Harper leaped on him twice and connected with a couple of shots to the ribs. Harper then then climbed to the second turnbuckle and hit Kane with a couple of punches.

Kane fought out of the corner by hitting a Powerbomb on Harper. Kane once again went for the Chokeslam but Harper grabbed the rope. Harper connected with a Sidewalk Slam of his own but Kane kicked out once again. Kane slammed Harper to the mat and climbed to the top rope. Kane went for a Clothesline off of the top rope but Harper ducked it and drilled Kane with a Superkick. Kane once again powered out of the pinfall at two. Harper then climbed to the top rope but Kane got up and punched him in the face. Kane then joined Harper on the turnbuckle and connected with a massive Superplex to Harper.

Both men slowly got back to their feet and began to trade punches. Kane blocked a punch by Harper and grabbed his throat. Kane then connected with a Chokeslam and picked up the victory.

Winner: Kane

Reaction: When you think of Kane versus Luke Harper it doesn’t sound like it would be a good match. This match was actually quite good. The announcers made a comment after the match that Bray Wyatt will not be happy with Luke Harper following this loss to Kane. I’m intrigued with the Wyatt Family storyline right now. It appears that Harper may be on his way out and Orton will be replacing him. I’m curious if this will wind up with Orton turning his back on Bray after he has already destroyed the Wyatt Family from the inside. I do not really know where they are going with this and that is a good thing. Luke Harper has always been one of the more underrated Superstars on the roster. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the Intercontinental Championship picture and having a single’s run of his own. Harper can work well with almost any male Superstar on the Smackdown roster. I think if you put him up against someone like Baron Corbin they would put on some very physical and entertaining matches.

#CHOKESLAM by @KaneWWE!!! ONE TWO THREE!! #SDLive @LukeHarperWWE pic.twitter.com/46nPuNNTqZ

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

Smackdown Tag Team #1 Contenders Match: Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt vs American Alpha

Randy Orton and Jason Jordan started out the match. Jordan went on the offensive to start things off. The WWE cut to Slater and Rhyno watching the match from backstage. This was humorous because the television screen they were watching was black for a second and essentially Slater and Rhyno were staring at nothing.

Bray Wyatt entered the match and Jordan went to jump onto him but Wyatt ducked and Jordan went flying into the ropes. Bray tagged in Orton and he continued the assault on Jordan. Gable tagged himself in and immediately connected with a Crossbody off the top rope on Orton. Gable climbed to the top rope again but Wyatt knocked him to the outside of the ring and Smackdown went to a commercial break.

When Smackdown returned, Wyatt and Gable were in the ring. Wyatt hit Gable with a DDT on the ring apron. Wyatt then went for a pin but Gable kicked out at two. Orton then entered the match and applied a Chinlock to Gable. Orton hit a Powerslam on Gable and once again went for a pinfall but it was unsuccessful. Orton tagged in Wyatt and Gable connected with a Dropkick then sent Bray to the mat. Gable tried to tag in Jordan but Bray got up and punched Jordan off of the ring apron.

Bray mounted Gable on the mat and punched him in the face several times. Orton was tagged back in and propped Gable up on the top rope. Orton connected with a Superplex on Gable. Jason Jordan and Bray Wyatt were then tagged in. Jordan leveled Wyatt with an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Chad Gable hit Orton with a Cannonball off of the ring apron. Back in the ring, Jordan hit a German Suplex on Bray Wyatt.

The lights then went out and Luke Harper was ringside. Bray went for the Sister Abigail but Gable prevented it. American Alpha then went for the Grand Amplitude but Orton hit Gable with an RKO out of nowhere. Jordan went to hit Bray with a Spear but Harper pulled Bray out of the way. Wyatt then hit the Sister Abigail on Jordan for the victory. Wyatt and Orton will now face Slater and Rhyno at TLC this Sunday. Slater and Rhyno were interviewed backstage but AJ Styles interrupted. Styles stated that nobody cared about the Tag Team titles. Ambrose then appeared out of nowhere and attacked Styles and Smackdown went off the air.

Reaction: This was a very solid match to close out a good episode of Smackdown. It appears that Harper and Orton are back to getting along for now. Tonight’s episode was promo-heavy but they all were effective. TLC is shaping up to be an exciting show and I cannot wait to watch it on Sunday.

Winners & #1 Contenders For The Smackdown Tag Team Championships: Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt

#SisterAbigail!! The #WyattFamily is going to #WWETLC to face @HeathSlaterOMRB and @Rhyno313!! #1Contender pic.twitter.com/telCi0c0T9

— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2016

205 Live (11/29)

Austin Aries and Corey Graves joined Mauro Ranallo on commentary. All of the Superstars on 205 Live were on the entrance ramp and they were introduced to the WWE Universe. A vignette for the Bollywood Boyz was then shown.

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/803797913251917824

Bollywood Boyz vs Drew Gulak & Tony Nese

Harv and Gurv Sihra started out the match on the offensive. Tony Nese was laid out by both of them but was able battle back and tag in Gulak. For the next few minutes, Gulak dominated the match. Nese was tagged back in and he continued the assault on the Bollywood Boyz. Gulak got back into the match and maintained control of the match.

Nese got back in the match and he applied a Chinlock to one of the Bollywood Boyz. Harv battled out of the Chinlock and connected with a Neckbreaker. Harv tagged in Gurv and he hut Gulak with several chops and a kick to the face. The Bollywood Boyz hit a double Superkick on Drew Gulak for the pinfall victory.

Winners: The Bollywood Boyz

Reaction: Not the best way to start off the debut episode of 205 Live. There were some cool spots in this match but overall it was very clunky.

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/803800282756878338

TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick had a confrontation. Perkins stated that he is still owed a rematch and that he wants Kendrick to retain the Cruiserweight Championship tonight. Perkins wants Kendrick to keep the belt so he can get his rematch and take the title away from him.

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/803801771600580608

Ariya Daivari vs Jack Gallagher

Gallagher started out this match extremely cocky and applied a few submission holds to Daivari while posing for the crowd. Daivari battled back and but Gallagher escaped his Headlock. Gallagher did a handstand on the top turnbuckle and then took Daivari down. Gallagher then tied Daivari up in a knot in the center of the ring and taunted him from the corner. Gallagher then hit him with a running kick and Daivari escaped the knot.

Daivari connected with a Neckbreaker on Gallagher and slapped him in the face a couple of times. Daivari applied a Chinlock but Gallagher fought out of it and connected with a couple of Dropkicks. Gallagher then headbutted Daivari and hit him with a Dropkick in the corner for the victory.

Winner: Jack Gallagher

Reaction: This match was bizarre and entertaining. Jack Gallagher may look ridiculous but he is fun to watch. The main positive to take from this match is that Gallagher was able to get the crowd into it. That is something that has escaped the Cruiserweight division when it is featured on Monday Night Raw.

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/803803266274369537

Cruiserweight Championship Match: Brian Kendrick (c) vs Rich Swann

Kendrick started off the match in control. Swann battled back and hit a Dropkick. Kendrick kicked out of a pinfall and Swann applied a Chinlock. Kendrick reversed the Chinlock into a German Suplex. Kendrick attacked Swann in the corner but Swann fought back and connected with several chops to the chest of Kendrick.

Swann landed a Tiger Bomb on Kendrick and Kendrick rolled out of the ring. Swann followed him out of the ring and hit a Summersault Clothesline off of the barricade. The action returned to the ring and Kendrick connected with another German Suplex. Kendrick then hit a Neckbreaker and Swann’s head hit the top turnbuckle. Swann then fell out of the ring and to the floor.

Swann was able to get back in the ring before the referee counted him out. Kendrick immediately hit him with a Suplex. Kendrick went for the Captain’s Hook but Swann blocked it. Swann then connected with a Michinoku Driver on Kendrick. Swann followed it up with a kick to the face of Kendrick. Swann went for the Standing 450 but Kendrick got his knees up and then locked in the Captain’s Hook.

Swann was able to reach the bottom rope and the crowd cheered him on. Both men were on the top turnbuckle and Kendrick bit Swann’s wrist and hit Sliced Bread. Swann kicked out and the crowd started to chant “this is awesome!”. Swannt connected with three spinning heel kicks in a row and pinned Kendrick for the victory.

After the match, Swann thanked his mother that has passed away and dedicated the match to her. Kendrick was also interviewed on the entrance ramp. Kendrick blamed the loss on TJ Perkins for playing mind games with him earlier in the night. Kendrick also stated that the WWE Universe should not get used to Swann as the Cruiserweight Champion. Kendrick vowed to get his title back and walked away.

Winner & New Cruiserweight Champion: Rich Swann

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/803809979639558144

Reaction: 205 Live started off slow but picked up momentum and wound up being a pretty decent show. I thought the match between Kendrick and Swann was very good. I hope that the Cruiserweight division gets some more time on Monday Night Raw as a result of this show but I doubt that will be the case. Overall, both Smackdown and 205 Live were good shows tonight.

What did you think of this week’s episodes of Smackdown and 205 Live? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

If you’re a fan of WWE’s curated “Collections” of themed matches and angles, then we have some good news for you. As reported on Saturday by Steve Coulson of WWE Network News, Monday (November 7th) will see the release of two new additions to the Collections bucket: Austin vs. McMahon Part II and Randy Savage: Cream of the Crop. Here are the official descriptions for each collection:

Austin vs. McMahon Part II:

One of the greatest rivalries of all time rages on as the next chapter in the saga between the tyrannical Mr. McMahon and the defiant Stone Cold Steve Austin unfolds. Beginning with WrestleMania XV, follow The Rattlesnake and The Boss throughout their journey of ups and downs, Black Weddings, Greater Powers, celebrations, farewells, and more, culminating with the stunning fallout from WrestleMania X-Seven. Relive these unforgettable matches and moments in this exclusive WWE Network Collection!

Randy Savage: Cream of the Crop:

Get ready to freak out and let the madness begin with this WWE Network Collection celebrating the storied career of Macho Man Randy Savage. From unforgettable moments and interviews, to both rare and classic battles against Macho Man”s greatest rivals, there is only one place to find these eclectic moments from the Hall of Famer”s legendary run in sports entertainment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jORr5uWzOQA

It looks like one of pro wrestling’s most spectacular high flyers is a couple months away from becoming a free agent. PWinsider (NSFW ads) is reporting that ACH will be leaving the company at the end of the year. This appears to stem from his promo a couple weeks ago at an AAW show in the Chicago area, where he cut a post-match promo about how his “wife” doesn’t appreciate  him and he needs to leave her for the girl who always did, with the implication being that the wife was ROH and the other girl was AAW or independent promotions in general.

According to the PWInsider report, this got ACH a bit of heat since he’s under an exclusive ROH deal and needed the office’s permission to work on the AAW show. There was also a belief that ROH may very well have covered his travel to Chicago for the show (ROH was running in the market a few days later), which made matters worse. The two sides met to try to resolve the issues, and it looks like this is how that meeting turned out.

Analysis: This is not the first time there have been stories going around about ACH not being the most professional in his dealings with promotions. If he’s looking to just do indies, he’ll probably do fine, but you have to wonder if WWE will be skeptical of signing him based on how he acted out at the AAW shows.

For those who have been suspicious of the motives of Chyna’s manager Anthony Anzaldo, whether in general or after the Bleacher Report profile of Chyna came out, this is fairly big news: Chyna’s estate is no longer in his control, instead going to her mother, Janet Laque. Laque sent this statement to Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet:

My petition to the LA superior court to become Joanie’s estate administrator with “special letters” has been approved and gone through.  YEAH!!!!!!  This is a very big deal for me. Now I have to begin the work of getting it all together with the help of my wonderful CA attorneys and looking into what’s gone on since her death.  Should be interesting!!

For Anzaldo’s part, he told Satin that “I’m not at war with Chyna’s mother. She should be the executor. I was just here, merely, to help when it was asked upon me.”

Da Capo Press, the publisher of Chris Jericho’s next book, “No Is a Four-Letter Word: How I Failed Spelling But Succeeded in Life,” has released this blurb about the title to various media outlets and via Google Books:

Six-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and renaissance man Chris Jericho explains his secrets to success in his trademark writing styleridiculous stories, hilarious referencesshowing how a small-town Canadian kid made his seemingly impossible dreams come true, against all odds.

Organized around 22 principles, “No Is a Four-Letter Word” outlines Jericho’s guidelines to achieving your dreams and making it to the top, explaining how his encounters with legendary musicians, actors, and wrestlers influenced each principle. Whether it’s learning how to make any situation work to his benefit, spending money to make money, understanding to always sell himself, or letting go of losing the gig of a lifetime, Jericho takes you with him on his journey up success’s ladder and shows you how to apply these principles to your own life.”

As you can see, this is a self-help book and not the latest in his series of autobiographies. It’s listed as 224 pages with a release date of Feb 7, 2017, though it’s not available for pre-order as of this writing.