WWE released several names from its roster in recent weeks, but those cut from the company aren’t entirely gone just yet. Instead, several names who’ve been given the dreaded pink slip will still be playable as part of WWE 2K25.
Released talent who will be playable in WWE 2K25 include:
Duke Hudson
Akam
Rezar
Blair Davenport
Cedric Alexander
Luke Gallows
Karl Anderson
Giovanni Vinci
Sonya Deville
Isla Dawn
Elektra Lopez
Paul Ellering was also among those released from WWE. While the Hall of Famer/Final Testament alum won’t be a playable character in WWE 2K25, he will be a non-playable manager in the game.
The inclusion of these released Superstars demonstrate how quickly things can change in WWE. While these talents hoped that WWE 2K25 would just be the latest in a series of games they would be a part of, next month’s instalment will most likely be the last time they are playable in a WWE video game.
These released talents will be part of the largest roster in the history of WWE video games with stars from the past and present. With over 300 names confirmed for the game, in addition to Wyatt Sicks-themed DLC, fans will be able to recreate their favorite matches or create never-before-seen contests in the upcoming game.
WWE 2K25 will release on March 14, with the Deadman and Bloodline Editions of the game launching a week earlier on March 7. With WWE 2K Mobile also announced, this year is shaping up to be a massive one for wrestling fans and gamers alike.
WWE and TNA recently announced their multi-year partnership, which will see talent from both promotions ‘cross the line.’ On a recent edition of the Talk’n Shop podcast, Karl Anderson shared that this partnership is a dream come true, especially for stars in TNA.
“I don’t care what anybody thinks or says, any chance you get an opportunity to work with WWE, you’re getting a platform that people dream of getting.”
Luke Gallows, Anderson’s tag-team partner agreed, and shared that he had fun watching a recent TNA iMPACT, his first time watching in eight years. Gallows also looked ahead to this weekend’s Royal Rumble, which he predicts could see TNA involvement.
“They pulled the trigger on Joe Hendry. So now you wonder, does this feed into, and there’s speculation about this, a Joe Hendry surprise Royal Rumble appearance? I would have to think yes, correct?”
Hendry has already teased entering the Royal Rumble, and if he does, he will be proud to represent TNA Wrestling. Whether or not the viral star enters this weekend’s 30-Man match, fans can expect years of crossover between two promotions which were once bitter rivals. Wes Lee will be in action during this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT after costing his former allies the Rascalz on last week’s show.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the WWE-TNA partnership and to see who crosses the line next.
Welcome to the Daily Drop for Friday, April 26, 2024. There is a lot going on in the pro wrestling world, and tonight will be a big night as well.
Before we get going, there are some additions coming to the WWE Family. Luke Gallows celebrated the birth of his new con. Also, Erik and Valhalla are now expecting their second child. That should explain why Valhalla, and her antlers, have disappeared from WWE television recently.
The 2024 WWE Draft starts tonight on SmackDown. This will give fans a chance to see the company shake up their rosters. We already covered the complete draft pool and rules for this year, which you may check out below.
Now, let’s get into the Daily Drop!
WWE:
WWE SmackDown Card (4/26):
Cody Rhodes and A.J. Styles to sign contract for Undisputed WWE Title Match
2024 WWE Draft begins
The Undertaker Wants More Titles: The Phenom has officially come forward to say that WWE should introduce a secondary title situation for their women’s division, something akin to the United States or Intercontinental Titles.
Sharpshooter Origin: In a recently resurfaced interview that is now making the rounds online, Bret Hart is featured admitting that Konnan is the one responsible for teaching him the Sharpshooter as a finisher.
Bret Hart gives credit to Konnan who physically showed Bret how to use the Sharpshooter! pic.twitter.com/sHwt2do0Mg
Vince McMahon’s New PR Firm: McMahon has hired Sitrick And Company to represent him. Sitrick And Company has represented several high-profile clients, including Pepsi and Make-A-Wish. Their roster also featured the late Kobe Bryant and the late Roy Disney, who was Walt Disney’s brother and a longstanding executive at the Disney corporation.
AEW:
Grizzled Young Veterans Are AEW: Zack Gibson and James Drake, known as Grizzled Young Veterans, are prepared for their AEW in-ring debut. They will wrestle The Acclaimed on Collision this Saturday.
Tony Khan’s Neck Brace: In case you’re wondering, Khan did appear during th NFL Draft in a neck brace. They also brought attention to how he took a piledriver the night before during the broadcast.
“As Tony Khan becomes the first ever NFL executive in a draft room shaking off the effects of a PILEDRIVER he recieved on National Television in a WRESTLING RING the night before.”
Actual words said during the NFL broadcast. We just witnessed history, folks. LMFAOOOO. pic.twitter.com/I2bwmenNBf
Baby fever is in the air in WWE with several Superstars set to have their families grow thanks to new additions.
On social media, The O.C.’s Luke Gallows shared the news of the birth of his son Thomas. Gallows appreciated that Thomas arrived into the world “on a day Dad was home” and added that it’s “going to be so much fun raising you T-Bone!” Thomas Hankinson is the former Raw Tag Team Champion’s fifth child, the same number as his tag-team partner Karl Anderson.
Gallows isn’t the only Superstar who’s family is growing. On Instagram, Valhalla and Viking Raider Erik shared that a new baby is coming to their family this November. In February 2021, Valhalla gave birth to a son after a 44-hour labor and the announcement of baby #2 featured their first child wearing a shirt bearing the message ‘big brother.’
In the comments, several WWE Superstars including Nikki Cross, Natalya, Ivar, Indi Hartwell, and Piper Niven shared their congratulations. This news of course means that Valhalla won’t be competing anytime soon which explains why she is not eligible in the upcoming WWE draft. Erik has been out of action since late 2023 and underwent neck fusion surgery in November. There’s no word yet on when fans can expect him back in the ring. WWE has opted to keep his tag-team partner Ivar on-screen and the remaining Viking has done quite well for himself as a singles Superstar.
Baby News
Here are some recent articles about wrestlers who have welcomed are set to welcome babies into the world.
AJ Styles took a hiatus from WWE after the Bloodline attacked him. This was done so they could move LA Knight into Styles’ spot as John Cena’s tag team partner. Then, when Styles finally returned, a lot of things changed for him.
AJ Styles Goes Through Character Shift
AJ Styles, The Good Brothers and Michin were the OC, but things have been much different since Styles’ return to the picture. He has been a bit withdrawn from his faction, and now that separation is complete. Sadly, they didn’t get a lot of focus for a disbanding.
Last night’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown unveiled a notable development as AJ Styles, the leader of a prominent WWE faction, was formally declared to have severed ties with the group.
During the broadcast, Wade Barrett announced that AJ Styles is no longer associated with The OC, which includes Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Michin. While hints of this departure had been dropped over the past few weeks since AJ’s return to the ring, this marked the first direct confirmation.
The apparent rift between Styles and The OC has been apparent for months, signifying a significant shift in the storyline dynamics. Fans saw this coming, as AJ has exhibited a new demeanor since his return, but to split them without an actual angle is a bit confusing.
What’s Next
Looking forward into the future, The OC appears set to continue operating, but they are down AJ Styles at this point.
Despite their absence from television since August, WWE creative seems to have laid out plans for their future. The trio, comprising Styles, Gallows, and Anderson, last teamed up in December during house shows, where they faced off against opponents such as Pretty Deadly and Grayson Waller, as well as The Street Profits. Now, they are going their separate ways, with AJ doing his own thing, with Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, and Michin as the new incarnation of The OC stable.
WWE has a history of fantastic stables, and some of them last a long time, forging an undeniable impression with fans. The O.C. has definitely been through a lot in WWE, with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows’ release in between the stable’s runs with the company, but they may be nearing an end.
Possible Issues In The O.C.
The turmoil within The O.C. is still going, and cracks are starting to show. Uncle Allan might be growing impatient with Michin in the process.
A digital exclusive from WWE showed Michin seeking advice from Styles after her loss to Women’s Champion IYO SKY last week. She wanted to ask him if he had any advice for her after seeing the match.
Styles only asked, “Did you win?” and walked away after she shook her head to indicate that she was unable to pull down victory.
The issues within The OC arose when Styles took a two-month hiatus after an attack by Solo Sikoa. He was originally slated to team with John Cena at Fastlane, but then he was replaced by LA Knight.
Start Of Possible Issues For The O.C.
Styles returned on December 15th, and he was placed on top of the card. He first showed up to help Knight and Orton against The Bloodline, but then he made it clear that he’s all about his own success after attacking Knight.
At SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution, Styles ignored The O.C. when they greeted him, because he was upset about their lack of support when taken out by The Bloodline months earlier. The stable is not fully disbanded, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a dismantling eventually.
These developments suggest a potential split within The OC, but WWE has teased similar scenarios in the past, only to provide wrestlers with a fresh start. It remains to be seen if The OC will strengthen or if plans are in motion to dissolve the group. Those words from AJ Styles might also just be tough love from AJ Styles as he motivates Michin to continue her way up the women division’s ranks.
AJ Styles is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble in a Fatal 4-Way match. That match will also include Randy Orton and LA Knight. Perhaps this situation with the O.C. will escalate further at Tropicana Field.
WWE is set for SmackDown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and that episode could include a big return. This is your official spoiler warning, because this article is full of them.
Spoiler for 12/15 WWE SmackDown
PW Insider reports that, “AJ Styles is expected to return tonight at Friday Night Smackdown,” This return has been a long time coming.
AJ Styles has been out of action as he sold a beatdown from Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. At the time, Styles was set to be John Cena’s tag team partner at Fastlane against the Bloodline, but then LA Knight took Styles’ spot.
It was further noted that, “AJ Styles had initially been planned for a return several weeks back, but WWE decided to hold off on the return.” It is reported that this week is more of a sure thing, as Styles will return to the road for WWE.
Status Of The OC In WWE
AJ Styles’ OC stablemates, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, returned to the ring several weeks ago, but they have only worked live events. Their television hiatus may end with Styles’ return
Fans can probably expect AJ Styles’ return to WWE SmackDown during the December 15th episode. With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, that event will mark 8 years since he shocked the word by finally landing in WWE after a career outside the company.
Exclusive Insight into AJ Styles’ WWE Return
I was told on several occasions over the past 30 days that AJ Styles is set to return “imminently.” This is something that they have held back on for some reason, but it appears the Phenomenal One will be joining the company to close out 2023.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will also be a double taping. So, AJ Styles can get two weeks’ worth of tapings out of the way on one night to really jumpstart his comeback.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are locked into their WWE deals for quite some time, Fightful Select has learned.
Gallows and Anderson returned to WWE in late 2022, coming to the aid of AJ Styles in his feud with the Judgment Day.
Both men had previously been released by WWE in April 2020 as part of ‘Budget Cuts’ and had found success in Impact Wrestling, as well as other promotions.
Contracts
When Fightful Select asked sources in WWE, they were told that Gallows and Anderson are under five-year WWE contracts that have them set to stay until late 2027.
These deals are far longer than the typical WWE contract, which like other promotions is a standard three-year deal.
As WWE’s Head of Relations, Triple H oversaw the return of Gallows and Anderson, and it is reported that he encouraged the pair to re-sign with WWE in 2019, over tempting offers from Impact, AEW, and NJPW.
Fightful’s report suggests that the Game felt bad that he cost The O.C. opportunities elsewhere, only for them to be released in April 2020, hence their longer new deals.
Gallows and Anderson
After debuting in WWE in 2016 (as part of AJ Styles’ feud with John Cena,) it wasn’t long before Gallows and Anderson captured their first of two reigns as Raw Tag Team Champions.
The pair also has the distinction of being part of The Undertaker’s final match, as they (unsuccessfully) aided Styles during the Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36.
Though the pair have worked with Styles since returning, the Phenomenal One is currently out of action after suffering an injury at a WWE live event.
Talent from four of the biggest promotions in the world will come together for Wrestle Kingdom.
The show, scheduled for January 4, 2023, will be the seventeenth Wrestle Kingdom event, New Japan’s biggest annual event.
Next year’s show will mark the first time since 2019 that Wrestle Kingdom will take place on one day.
Karl Anderson
Earlier this week, it was reported that WWE Raw Superstar Karl Anderson will defend his NJPW Never Openweight Championship at the World Tag League/Super Junior Tag League finals on Wednesday, December 14.
Anderson was previously scheduled to defend his title at NJPW Battle Autumn but instead competed at WWE Crown Jewel, which took place the same day.
In an update from Fightful Select, it is reported that NJPW and WWE have agreed that next month won’t be Anderson’s last match in Japan, and that he will work the Tokyo Dome.
Sources who spoke to Fightful said Gallows and Anderson have “always been penciled in” to compete at Wrestle Kingdom, despite reports of tension.
Gallows and Anderson had committed to working these dates for New Japan before their WWE returns in October and before leaving Impact Wrestling in August.
The Four
Having (at least) two WWE Superstars compete at Wrestle Kingdom is a huge deal, but just part of a stacked show.
Of course, New Japan’s own talent will be competing at the show, but so will names from AEW and Stardom.
AEW’s Kenny Omega will challenge IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
KAIRI, who recently became the first IWGP Women’s Champion, will defend her title against fellow STARDOM wrestler Tam Nakano.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are headed back to NJPW next month.
The OC announced in a video posted to Anderson’s Instagram account on Tuesday they will be in Japan for the World Tag League/Super Junior Tag League finals on Wednesday, December 14. It was also stated in the video that Anderson would be defending his NEVER Openweight Championship at the show.
Going Back to Japan
Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
This comes after Anderson was scheduled to defend the NEVER Openweight title against Hikuleo at NJPW’s Battle Autumn event in Osaka on November 5, but was double booked as it took place on the same day as WWE’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
Anderson decided to do the six-man tag match at the WWE event in Saudi Arabia instead of defending the title.
As a result, NJPW came up with a storyline where NJPW threatened to strip Anderson of the NEVER Openweight title if he doesn’t show up to Battle Autumn. However, Hikuleo said he wanted to beat Anderson for the title instead.
Anderson has held the title since winning the title from Tama Tonga at NJPW Dominion this June. Despite being the champion, Gallows and Anderson returned to WWE in October as they weren’t under contract. They’ve reunited with AJ Styles and helping him even the odds against The Judgment Day.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are back with WWE, but only after a tumultuous exit from the company.
The former Raw Tag Team Champions returned to WWE last month to aid AJ Styles in his feud with The Judgment Day.
The pair had been released from WWE in April 2020 as part of the first wave of releases explained as ‘budget cuts.’
Offended
Gallows and Anderson’s final appearance for WWE before being released came at WrestleMania 36, during the much-acclaimed Boneyard match between Styles and The Undertaker.
Speaking about being released on After the Bell, Luke Gallows explained why it was kind of offensive to be cut after such a popular match.
“It’s eleven days removed from this Boneyard match that we got all this praise for. so we didn’t see it coming. It offended him and it offended me too a little bit. We’re eleven days out from main eventing Wrestlemania.”
Luke Gallows.
The match, which would also be The Undertaker’s final match, saw the Deadman win in the main event of WrestleMania 36: Night One.
A Total Surprise
Gallows and Anderson were one of dozens of names cut in April 2020, which included Matt Cardona, Miro, Kurt Angle among many more.
During the podcast, Anderson explained that when he was called, he did not figure he would be one of the many released.
“When the Talent Relations person called that day, I saw them ringing my phone. I said ‘you must be having a bad day and wanting to hear a good voice.’ He goes ‘well it’s not so good for you either.’ I go ‘Huh?!'”
Like Anderson, Gallows had no idea he was going to be released, even as more names were added to the list of cuts.
“He [Gallows] doesn’t even know what’s going on because he’s outside mowing his lawn. The guy rings and the HR guy goes ‘I just got off the phone with your partner’ and Gallows go ‘why?’ It just came as a surprise to us.”
Hitting the Ground Running
Gallows and Anderson’s departure in 2020 came less than four years after the joined WWE, which in Gallows’ case, was a return.
Anderson explained on After the Bell that he and Gallows immediately went to work after receiving the dreaded call.
“Those kind of things set people back for days. But after that first hour, we had CBD Oil, we had a beer, and we had a wine label. We had an Impact Wrestling offer. We had New Japan on the phone. All of this was rocking. By the end of the day, I had almost forgotten what had happened.”
Gallows and Anderson would return to New Japan, debut for AEW, and compete for Impact Wrestling before their return to WWE this year.
The second bout has been announced for WWE Crown Jewel, and it’s a big one as Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will work their first premium live event since returning to the company.
On Monday’s Raw, Gallows and Anderson make their in-ring returns with a win over Alpha Academy. After the match, The Judgment Day interrupted to set up AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio later in the night. Finn Balor reminded everyone how he started “this club” and promised to end them as well, so he challenged The O.C. to a six-man tag team match at Crown Jewel, and Styles accepted.
Anderson’s Other Match on November 5th
The OC: AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Anderson is still the NEVER Openweight Champion in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It was previously reported that WWE would allow Anderson and Gallows to continue fulfilling their agreed bookings with NJPW, all the way up through Wrestle Kingdom in January.
Anderson is already booked to defend his title against Hikuleo in Osaka, Japan, at New Japan’s Battle Autumn event on the same day sas Crown Jewel – November 5th.
A direct flight between the two cities clocks in at under 14 hours. By the time Crown Jewel starts locally in Riyadh, it will already be 1 a.m. in Japan.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson feel like right back where they belong after returning to WWE last week on RAW.
Finn Balor and The Judgment Day have tried to recruit AJ Styles to The Judgment Day for several weeks but The Phenomenal One declined. After Styles refused again on RAW, The Judgment Day attacked.
The Good Brothers made their shocking return to the company and stood by AJ’s side as The Judgment Day retreated. The O.C. then stood tall and posed in the ring to end the segment.
Gallows and Anderson Deliver A Warning To Alpha Academy
The Good Brothers will return to action in a WWE ring tonight against Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis). Byron Saxton caught up to Gallows and Anderson as they arrived to the arena for tonight’s episode of RAW in a WWE Digital Exclusive.
Luke Gallows said that they’ve been around the world in the past two and a half years but WWE is their home.
Two and a half years, Byron,” said Gallows. “We went around the world through the pandemic, main-evented everywhere we went, we added more hardware to those big a** mantles we have.
But more than that, we knew deep down that this is home. The best competition in the entire world, in all of sports entertainment and professional wrestling, is in WWE, and we have unfinished business.
Karl Anderson noted that the team has unfinished business in WWE and warned Alpha Academy ahead of the tag team match tonight.
Alpha Academy, listen Byron, they’re good,” said Anderson. “They are superstars, but lets be honest and make something very crystal clear, they ain’t The Good Brothers. The Good Brothers have been gone from WWE for two and a half years.
We’ve been to Japan, we’ve been to Las Vegas, we’ve been to England, and that is just in the last month. It is time for the WWE to see why we are probably the best tag team in the entire world.
Styles has been feuding with the Judgment Day fr months, as the group continues to try and recruit the two-time former WWE World Champion.
Good Brothers
Despite being WWE Superstars, Gallows and Anderson are still expected to compete for New Japan.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Anderson, the reigning NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, will compete at Battle Autumn on November 5.
Fightful Select reports that the duo have been working for New Japan without contracts, and have plans to use the two in the coming months.
It was also reported that New Japan officials were aware that Gallows and Anderson were returning to WWE despite dates committed through to the end of this year.
Officials at NJPW are hopeful that WWE will allow Gallows and Anderson to work Wrestle Kingdom in January 2023, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
Return to WWE
Gallows and Anderson are back with WWE, two years after they were released by the promotion.
Fightful’s report adds that Gallows and Anderson were sent feelers from WWE during their recent run in Impact Wrestling.
It was said that neither man kept WWE’s interest in them a secret behind the scenes in Impact.
Both men’s contracts were originally set to end in July, but extended for a month, meaning their Impact deals ended in late August.
Gallows and Anderson’s first match back will come on tomorrow’s Raw when they will face Alpha Academy.
Some former WWE Tag Team Champions are expected to be joining WWE very soon.
According to a recent report from PWInsider, The Good Brothers, Luke/Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, are expected to be rejoining WWE soon. The initial expectation is that the duo will be returning to RAW to re-align with AJ Styles.
The trio were actually spotted together yesterday in Washington DC. They were likely filming something for WWE. Styles has been feuding with The Judgement Day faction on RAW, so The Good Brothers returning to back him would certainly make sense.
Back in August, The Good Brothers wrapped up their obligations with IMPACT Wrestling, dropping a match to The Motor City Machine Guns in Texas. The duo’s deal actually expired in July, however, they came to an agreement to add a few more additional dates.
The initial expectation was for The Good Brothers to return to Japan and work there at least through Wrestle Kingdom. However, that no longer seems to be the case.
This would be the tag team’s second run with WWE. They first signed with WWE back in 2016, where they saw great success. After winning a WWE Tag Team World Cup, and two runs as WWE RAW Tag Team Champions, they signed new five-year deals with WWE.
Despite this, The Good Brothers were part of the massive cuts made within WWE amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Good Brothers are set to hit free agency soon it seems.
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson’s contracts with IMPACT Wrestling will expire on Sunday, July 17th, according to Fightful. The pair inked a deal with IMPACT Wrestling back in July of 2020. As of this writing there is no indication as to whether or not IMPACT is looking to re-sign the pair, or if The Good Brothers want to go elsewhere.
While under contract with IMPACT, Gallows and Anderson have been allowed to work dates for both New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). They have great relationships with both companies, so seeing them end up in either wouldn’t come as much of a shock. The pair have worked all across the globe, having been signed to WWE, Ring Of Honor (ROH), and NJPW in the past.
Initially, they signed new five-year deals with WWE back in 2019 but were sadly released by the company as part of their COVID-19 budget cuts. A return to WWE isn’t impossible, however, but doesn’t seem very likely despite having a good friend in AJ Styles still working there. Regardless of what Gallows and Anderson decide to do, they can reflect on a very impressive run with IMPACT Wrestling.
The pair had two Tag Team Title runs during their recent stint, both over 100 days; 119 and 231 days, respectively. They also took home the promotion’s Tag Team Of The Year Award in 2021. Their last match under the IMPACT Wrestling banner took place at Multiverse Of Matches on April 1, where they defeated The Briscoe Brothers in the main event.
Impact Wrestling’s Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have opened up about declining WWE’s offer to host a podcast. Last year, WWE kickstarted its own podcast network featuring several of its Superstars. During their time with the company, the pair were offered the chance to partake in the new initiative. However, it wasn’t something that interested either of the Good Brothers.
“WWE came to us and said they were going to have a podcast network, and we want to have [Corey] Graves and you guys,” Luke Gallows told the Cut Wrestling Podcast. “And we were like, ‘Ehh, it’s not the same.’ Besides us not liking the business offer on it, it’s not the same. It’s not Talk ‘n Shop without [co-host Rocky Romero], so we declined the offer on it. We said, ‘Let’s just do it and see if it catches on.'”
Gallows noted how only four weeks after being extended the offer, he and Anderson were cut from WWE. He shared how since leaving the promotion, their podcast has taken on “a life of its own.”
Anderson added how WWE pulled them both aside and informed them, “we want you to do a podcast.” They were told how they would be given a private room before Monday Night Raw each week to interview guests.
According to Anderson, “We looked at them and said, ‘F*** that!’ If you want us you have to come to the hotel with some wine and beer, and they agreed. Then they told us the money they wanted us to do it for it, and we were like, ‘Nope, we are out.’ Podcasting ain’t that fun.”
Both Gallows and Anderson were released by WWE earlier this year. WWE claimed the cuts were due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on business. They would eventually sign with Impact Wrestling.
Gallows and Anderson have started a number of new business ventures since leaving WWE and it has made many wonder if this is a sign that their days in the ring are numbered.
The Good Brothers were recently interviewed by Entrepreneur.com where they talked about things like their future business plans, getting released from WWE and more.
During the interview, Gallows and Anderson were asked if the new projects they have undertaken are a sign that they are planning their retirement and the two responded negatively:
“We are not counting down the days until then. We want to be out there when we’re 50 if we can be. There’s a chance our bodies don’t hold up, so we want this brand that we’re creating now to be the thing that carries us into the next thing.”
The fact that the duo decided to sign with Impact Wrestling and make the company their home base in the US surprised a lot of people because many were hoping Gallows and Anderson to sign with AEW.
When asked about it, the duo claimed that Impact officials put together a very good deal for them and they explained that the company is promoting them as their top stars. You can check out the full interview at this link.
Impact Wrestling is on the road to Bound For Glory on October 24th, 2020. Along that route, Impact will travel down Victory Road on Saturday for a special event airing on Impact Plus. On last night’s edition of Impact Wrestling, the full card for Saturday’s event was set and more.
Impact 9/29 Quick Results:
Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary defeated Havok & Neveah
Jordynne Grave defeated Tenille Dashwood
The Good Brothers defeated The Rascalz
Fallah Bah defeated Johnny Swinger
The North defeated Ace Austin & Madman Fulton
Here are 8 Takeaways From Impact Wrestling 9/29:
Impact’s Tag Division Heating Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV_OKVzEq9s
Impact Wrestling’s tag-team division is really starting to heat up. There were two big matches in the division this week and multiple big matches upcoming.
This week the Good Brothers defeated The Rascalz in tag action. After the match, they got on the microphone and said it was time for them to challenge the Motor City Machine Guns for the titles. They issued the challenge for Bound For Glory.
Later in the night, however, more tag-team action would headline the show. Former tag champs the North took on Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. The North would score the victory after hitting Northern Assault on Ace Austin but a tag-team melee would ensue after the match. The Good Brothers came out to get in Page and Alexander’s face but Austin and Fulton attacked them from behind. The North then joined in on the assault but the sides were evened up when the Motor City Machine Guns came out to assist. 4 of the division’s top teams brawled to end the show.
Ken Shamrock Returns, Attacks Eddie Edwards
Last week’s show concluded with a mystery person attacking Eddie Edwards in the back. Edwards will face Eric Young for the Impact World Championship at Victory Road but perhaps an old rival is attempting to get in his way. He was cutting a promo on Young when Sami Callihan appeared on the stage. Edwards’ longtime rival insisted it was not him who attacked Edwards last week but he knows who it was. The lights went out again and when they came back on Ken Shamrock was behind Edwards. He took him out and applied the Ankle Lock submission. Edwards will have to go into his title match with Young at Victory Road in a weakened state.
Jordynne Grace Evens Series With Tenille Dashwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCEv-W99OQ
Tenille Dashwood defeated Jordynne Grace thanks to her personal photographer, Kaleb Konley, in the main event last week. A rematch was granted this week between the two Knockouts. This week Grace would make Dashwood submit to a rear-naked choke, evening the series at 1-1. The rubber match was then scheduled for Victory Road on Saturday night.
Heath To Have His First Official Match At Victory Road
We learned this week that Heath maxed out his credit cards to pay for all the celebrity endorsements and infomercials he’s been purchasing. He pulled out the travelling wad of cash that has been making the rounds between wrestlers lately and noted that he can use the cash to pay his credit card bills. Just as he said this, however, Reno Scum attacked along with Hernandez and took the money.
Later in the show, Rhino convinced Scott D’Amore to allow the unsigned Heath to team with him against Reno Scum at Victory Road.
Moose has been searching for EC3 who stole the TNA World title from him this summer. This week, EC3 appeared on a projection screen. He invited Moose to a funeral he is holding for the TNA title next week where he plans on burning the belt. It looks as though weeks worth of this angle could all culminate in a big segment next week.
This week’s episode kicked off with a wedding-related tag-team match. Rosemary is set to be married to John E. Bravo soon but things are a little complicated. As Rosemary is a demon, she needs a Sinister Minister of sorts to officiate the wedding. This requires bringing James Mitchell back from the undead realm. Havok and Rosemary joined in sending the devilish Mitchell to that realm earlier this year and Havok declined to help Rosemary in bringing him back, leading to this tag match.
Taya Valkyrie would pick up the win for her team when she hit Road to Valhalla on Neveah. After the match, however, Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz would hit the ring. As Taya has been playing an active role in planning Rosemary’s wedding, Hogan and Steelz were told they would play no part in it. Evidently, this did not sit well with them and they opted to attack their new rivals. They would end up retreating as Havok & Neveah re-entered the ring.
It was later revealed that Valkyrie and Rosemary will take on Hogan and Steelz next week.
Fallah Bah To Be John E. Bravo’s Best Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFNJxiKMqyc
Johnny Swinger faced Fallah Bah this week with the stipulation that the winner would be John E Bravo’s Best Man at his wedding to Rosemary. Swinger appeared to have won the match after hitting Fallah Bah with Crazzy Steve’s monkey behind the ref’s back but the match result would not stand. A newly confident Bravo berated the ref for not seeing the illegal use of a foreign object and his assertiveness was enough to get the match re-started. Fallah Bah capitalized and scored the victory with a Banzai Drop in the corner.
A little over a year ago, Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, purchased AXS TV. The company also owns the Fight Network which airs internationally. Impact Wrestling is reportedly the most-watched program on the network by a significant margin. Now it appears, more Impact Wrestling content will be coming to AXS TV.
During a recent interview with Instinct Culture, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows noted that they will be getting their own special variety show on AXS TV.
“I am letting the cat out of the bag right here right now,” Gallows said. “I can’t say anything about titles or anything like that, but you’re gonna see us with our own special on AXS TV, that’s putting credit/belief into a ‘tag team’ or brand to come together, two guys that can entertain inside the ring and outside the ring.”
They would also say the program will follow a late night talk show format.
“I would say, think drunken late night talk show sprinkled in with Impact Wrestling stars of our choice and a little Talk ‘N Shop A Mania running wild brother…”
Karl Anderson als commented on the Good Brothers’ pending variety show.
“A Good Brother Variety Show, that’s the way to put it. Everything that you could expect from us to just be stupid and fun and sitting down and drinking and talking,” he said.
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows produced “Talk N Shop Mania” recently on the FITE Network. A second PPV is scheduled for November 13th, 2020.
TNA Spinoff Series Possibly Coming To Impact Wrestling
There are also said to be interest from AXS TV in producing a TNA-themed spinoff show. According to a report from PW Insider, the network has been high on this idea since earlier this summer. The TNA World Championship has been re-introduced back into the mix in Impact. Although it is deemed an unofficial title, Moose had been defending it for several weeks. EC3 recently stole the title from him, however.
Impact Wrestling’s Doc Gallows, formerly WWE Superstar Luke Gallows, has expressed his interest in Impact developing a working relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
Gallows joined a recent episode of This is Wrestlingon TSN 1200, where he spoke about what he hopes to achieve with his new run in Impact Wrestling.
“I’m in my prime,” Gallows said. “I’m not slowing down. I just want to grow this IMPACT brand as big as we possibly can and keep it pushing forward. Yeah, this ain’t my last wrestling contract. Oh hell no! I’m not going to stop.”
Luke Gallows On Momentum & Working Relationships
Luke Gallows noted how he wanted to keep The Good Brothers’ momentum going now they have arrived in Impact Wrestling. He shared how he believes there are more tag team championships in the future for the team. He noted how they will, in some shape or form, always be together as a team. That being said, he added how they would naturally support each other in a singles run.
Ultimately, Gallows wants to see Impact Wrestling continue to grow and evolve. He would also like to be in a position to help their friends sign once their contracts have expired with other promotions.
He then stressed how part of this promotional growth would see Impact Wrestling engage in working relationships with other promotions:
“I think it would be great. I would love to see New Japan and IMPACT form a working relationship at some point. I think it would be beneficial for both sides, and I would really love to see that. Hopefully, [I] can be a part in making that come together.”
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson recently made their in-ring debut in Impact Wrestling. The team are former IWGP Tag Team Champions in NJPW. They were released by WWE earlier in the year as part of the company’s cost-cutting methods due to the coronavirus.
Former WWE Superstars Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have made it clear: they want to see AJ Styles back in Impact Wrestling. Speaking with Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda, The Good Brothers also shared Styles’ reaction to their decision to sign with Impact Wrestling.
Luke Gallows revealed how Styles called them when he “knew that it was actually confirmed.” He acknowledged how Styles’ WWE schedule is so hectic and that they, in turn, have been “busier than we’ve ever been.”
He revealed how they’d been occupied putting plans in place, but Styles let them know he was happy for them and their decision during a phone call. Gallows then noted how neither he nor Anderson “ever actually went to AJ for advice on whether we should do it or not.”
At this point, Karl Anderson chimed in with their ultimate ambition. According to him, he and Luke Gallows want to entice Styles back to Impact Wrestling, where he once enjoyed several years as one of their top stars.
“Ultimately, we’re going to talk AJ Styles into coming back to IMPACT. That’s what we’re doing every single day. We’re texting him and telling him to come back.”
AJ Styles recently moved to SmackDown following issues with Paul Heyman on Monday Night RAW. He subsequently won the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
After appearing on Slammiversary, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows recently made their Impact Wrestling in-ring debut, which you can see below:
Speaking with Sportskeeda, The Good Brothers, discussed the opportunities that await their fellow WWE colleagues. The two pointed to how they evoked interest over their impending debut as an example of creating opportunities for themselves.
With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting business, Anderson believed that announcing their debut ahead of time would be an exciting, different approach:
“I would say, if this was in front of a live crowd, it may be there are ways to have a surprise, and you get that reaction from the surprise that maybe you could have held off. But I think in this Covid-19 environment, and with there not being a crowd, I think us announcing that we were coming to IMPACT actually got a lot more eyes on the pay-per-view, and that’s what made it so cool.”
Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows And More Sign With Impact
Alongside The Good Brothers, Impact Wrestling signed EC3, Brian Myers, Eric Young and Heath Slater. All were cut from WWE as a cost-cutting measure due to the coronavirus impacting business.
Gallows revealed how they were all discussing business options together due to their friendship. It’s something Gallows believed “came off beautifully.” He noted how due to their success outside of WWE, people would often seek their advice. He pointed to Slater as an example of someone who asked for help, explaining how he had been a part of WWE’s system for 14 years.
“They don’t necessarily know what it’s like outside, so we don’t mind helping our brothers along when they need it. But I think we were a huge part of that.”
Anderson shared how Impact Wrestling fans are in for something special with this influx of talent looking to prove themselves. He highlighted Slater and Myers as two to watch, promising how most haven’t seen what Myers is fully capable of.
Karl Anderson then acknowledged how EC3 has previously enjoyed a main event run in Impact and that Eric Young is a previous Impact World Champion. He stressed that this level of ability makes it an “exciting time” for Impact.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson had a lot to say about their WWE departure. They did an interview with Ryan Satin on YouTube where they addressed a wide variety of topics.
One of the more interesting topics was about them being let go by the company due to budget cuts just months after they had signed new big-money deals with the promotion.
Gallows and Anderson joined AJ Styles in the belief that Paul Heyman was responsible for the tag team being let go as he put their name on a list of talent to be released.
They do acknowledge that Vince McMahon made the final call to fire them, but they were still upset that Heyman allegedly lied to them.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the backstage reaction to their comments was mostly about how naive they could be to think that it was Heyman, not McMahon, that made the call to fire them.
There are two stories that have gone around about the internal reactions. The first story is that while McMahon made the call, Heyman didn’t fight to keep them. The second story is how Gallows and Anderson were not on the list of wrestlers to be fired but once McMahon had a talk with Heyman about future storyline plans and they were planned to be used, McMahon added them to it.
It should be noted that all wrestlers who were released in April were under a 90-day non-compete. Thus, if McMahon wanted to bring them back, he had three months to make a decision and didn’t.
Former WWE Superstar and O.C. member Luke Gallows has revealed whether he and his tag partner, Karl Anderson, talked with AEW following their WWE release.
Speaking with The Wrestling Inc Daily podcast, Gallows confessed there “weren’t a lot of talks” between the two parties. He shared how he and Anderson felt “if we already didn’t take that option maybe that option won’t be available again.”
According to him, there wasn’t much back and forth outside of friendly conversation. They never pushed for a spot and AEW allegedly never really offered one. Regardless, Gallows shared how the team is in “constant communication” with The Young Bucks on a daily basis as they are good friends.
Why Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson Signed With Impact Wrestling
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson would eventually reveal they had signed with Impact Wrestling. He revealed how, from the moment WWE released them, Scott D’Amore was “aggressively” looking to sign them.
Gallows explained what made Impact Wrestling so appealing to the team. He noted how the promotion has a “solid belief in us as a commodity.” He then added how “Scott said let’s do this together and co-promote all this stuff you guys have got” in regards to Gallows and Anderson’s numerous side projects.
“All of these things WWE would never allow me to do and if it was getting away with it, I wouldn’t be allowed to talk about it. I don’t know how much availability there would have been for stuff like that with AEW,” Gallows said. “Scott basically opened his arms and said everything you guys are doing we’ll help and co-promote. We said if somebody is gonna offer that to you and afford you that opportunity, then let me wave the Impact flag higher than ever…”
Gallows added how having a company that believes in them and that is willing to acknowledge, co-promote, and help brand-build “means the world to me and to the both of us.”
The Good Brothers recently announced they had signed two-year contracts with Impact Wrestling. They made their first appearance since their WWE release at Impact’s recent Slammiversary show.
