Wednesday, November 8, 2017

More on Rockstar Spud signing with WWE and being released by Impact.

Rockstar Spud is confirmed to be signing with WWE, PWInsider reported today. As expected, he is pegged to be a part of the Cruiserweight division on 205 Live. Spud had been rumored to be joining 205 Live following his Impact Wrestling release. New details recently emerged on the former X Division Champion's departure from Impact Wrestling.

 
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer stated that Spud's release was not due to budget cuts within Impact Wrestling, but rather because Spud asked for it. Apparently there was a problem with his work visa, and with the current policies that are being enforced under the Trump administration it became difficult for Spud to get into the country.

Meltzer noted that Impact spent nearly $20,000 in legal fees straighten out any issues with the immigration offices in the U.K. so Spud can return to the U.S. Two weeks after he returned to the country, Spud asked for his release from Impact and was granted it in September.

Spud joins a list of superstars that includes Taryn Terrell, Eddie Kingston, Robbie E, Jeff Jarrett and Reno Scum, all of whom have parted ways with the company in recent weeks.

Another place that has the story on Owens and Zayn being sent home.

MORE ON OWENS AND ZAYN LEAVING WWE TOUR

WWE sent Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were sent home from the Smackdown side of the WWE European tour.

Multiple sources have told acouple news sites including PWInsider that the pair were sent home not for one reason but for several things that came up over the course of the tour.

There was an issue on last night's TV taping where the duo allegedly "did what they wanted" during the close of the segment with New Day, as opposed to being physically run off by the team.   We are also told there was a situation where Owens was allegedly complaining  loudly on a tour bus after the taping, which one person decreed was "the last straw following a long few days of touring."   Another person who was on the bus cited that Owens was "just venting" and that it wasn't a major issue, but that the situation at TV may have exacerbated the situation, forcing WWE's hand.

The pair returned to the United States today.

WWE has not responded for a request for comment on the situation.

an interesting article here. With 'Nature Boy', ESPN opens a door for WWE Network to bust through

GLOBAL WRESTLING FEDERATION STAR TUG TAYLOR PASSES AWAY

Chaz Tayor, the son of Global Wrestling Federation star Richard "Tug" Taylor announced today that his father, who been battling health issues in recent years, passed away today at the age of 71:


Former GWF announcer Doyle King remembered Taylor on Twitter with the following story:


Although in the United States, most of his most well known work was in Global in the early 1990s, Taylor worked quite a bit in Mexico as well. 

BRAM ON WHY HE LEFT IMPACT WRESTLING

The Impact Wrestling veteran and ex-husband to WWE’s Charlotte has revealed that he will be asking for his release from the company following a frustrating year with the promotion. During an interview with Morgan Richards from Radio Cardiff at one of Insane Championship Wrestling's online tapings in Cardiff, UK on Monday, Bram commented on his situation with the company before receiving the release, commenting:

“Well Bound for Glory is today, I don’t know when this goes out but here’s a secret. I’m actually going to ask for my release after today. So Monday morning, the sixth (November) that’s when I’m going to ask for my release. As much as I love that company and ever since I’ve been there I’ve wanted to be there for as long as I can. It’s not the same place that I entered three years ago and I feel slightly stifled and let down by the place. So I’m very excited to be free, be a free agent and see what other avenues and options are out there for me because the last year I feel I’ve been miss used, mismanaged and it’s sort of a waste of a year really when it comes to my career besides doing what I do away from there”.

The 31 year old, whose real name is Thomas Letimer, is a fourteen year veteran in the business and hadn’t featured on Impact Wrestling / GFW since his storyline with Rosemary and Decay back in the summer of twenty-sixteen. He’s spent the last year competing largely on the independent circuit across Europe, US and Japan.

Once a original member of The Ascension at his time at NXT, he further commented on his future adding: “For me it’s exciting just to see what’s next, to have that door open because that door’s been shut generally. For the last seven years I’ve always been under contract with someone so to be free is scary but at the same time is liberating and exciting”.

A full announcement is expected to be made from both Bram and Impact Wrestling later this week.

Bram will next compete at ICW’s Fear & Loathing X IPPV event against Aaron Echo, DCT, Jody Fleisch, Joe Hendry and Kid Fite in a six man ladder match for a shot at the ICW Unified Zero-G World Heavyweight title on November 19th, from Glasgow, Scotland

WWA Hysteria 51 - Battle Lines. Man I forgot how much I enjoyed watching this group, glad I'm catching up. 2017

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

Battle Lines have been drawn! Andrew Hunter wants to be the first to welcome Krutch to the WWA. Dakota France and Jeremy Gray have some words for CCW and Ray Waddell. Jordan Whittaker and Josiah sign the contract for their upcoming WWA Championship Steel Cage Match, but then they have to tag together against Avispo & Logan Abell. The WWA National Title is up for grabs in a Main Event Battle Royal. Plus Mickey Midas, Teddy King, Kahaji Khan, Lucas Tyler, Drake Jaxon, Alexander Knight, Cortland Moore, Tony Evans, the Queen, and a special WWA return!

Another indy group I'm playing catch up on today. :) WWA (from kentucky) Hysteria 50 - The 2017 Kentucky Classic

I've been a fan of this group for awhile. CCW, The System, Church of The Misfits, were my faves here. So today I'm catching up on the last couple of shows by them. They put out a nice, solid product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM6agFpXbp8

When another indy group appreciates what I do by showing their great product. :)


This is what Fight pro Wrestling out of Maryland said to me on their Youtube channel, and the views picture is ALL OF YOU who have visited this blog over the last couple of days. So groups like Fight pro Wrestling, and the other groups I focus on get viewed by many people in many different places, and that's exposure of their great shows for many to see who may not be able to see it otherwise. :)

Kevin Sullivan Says He Doesn't Think The WWE Will Bring Back Hulk Hogan At This Point

Jim Ross On Chris Jericho Challenging Kenny Omega, Impact Bound For Glory's Booking, Gail Kim

SAMI CALLIHAN, JT DUNN, PETEY WILLIAMS, M-DOGG 20 AND MORE: LIMITLESS WRESTLING 'HYBRID MOMENTS' IN PORTLAND, MAINE LIVE REPORT

Limitless Wrestling “Hybrid Moments”


November 4, 2017

Portland, Maine

This is my first time seeing a Limitless show in person, so unfortunately, I don’t have much context to storylines. I’ll do my best to put everything in context to

MATCH ONE: Sami Callihan v. Ace Romero

First match of the night and also the best match of the night.  This was a fantastic opener.  One of the criticism’s I have had for Romero (which I told him personally, so I’m not speaking out of turn) is that his work revolved around him being the super heavyweight doing wild high flying moves for shock value rather than telling a story using his size.  All of that went out the window in this match.

This had a lot intensity and the crowd was electric for this.  They told the story of Sami trying to get Ace up for a big move.  When he hit a huge Death Valley Driver the crowd popped huge but it was a nearfall.  The finish saw Romero win with a spinning lariat.

I thought this was the best way for Romero to work, as the overwhelming, domineering big man who can move, ala Vader.  After the match, Sami took the mic and put Ace over huge, saying he’s always wanted to wrestle him and he knows he’s the future of the business.

WINNER: Ace Romero

MATCH TWO: Jordynne Grace v. Jessicka Havok

Second match of the night and the second best match of the night.  I’ve been lucky enough to see Grace work a lot over the last couple of years, and I’ve seen her transform into one of the most polished performers on the independents.  That continued in this match.

This was a fantastic match with really great physicality.  The story of it was Grace using her strength to attempt to hit the big move on the larger Havok.  While it sounds like the opening match, they did enough to make it different and unique.  Grace hit a top rope power bomb for the victory.

WINNER: Jordynne Grace

MATCH THREE: Darby Allin v. Josh Briggs

Allin was a late replacement for Teddy Hart.  The last time I saw Allin work, it was early on in his EVOLVE days and he looked like someone trying to find himself.  Clearly, in the last 18 months, he went and did just that.

The story of the match was Allin’s risktaking and high flying offense against the size and strength of Briggs.  Allin looked so comfortable in his character and his confidence was clear that it was great to watch.

Briggs won with the I Hope You Die (reverse Razor’s Edge into a Falcon Arrow).  This was a good match that ended up making both guys look stronger.

WINNER: Josh Briggs

MATCH FOUR: Maine State Posse v. The Thick Boys (Jay Freddie & John Silver)

After one match, the Thick Boys are suddenly one of my favorite tag teams.  I’m not sure what’s thick about them and I don’t want to know.  However, they were both out in the Sid Vicious 1996 Canadian Tuxedos and it was tremendous.

Good match.  The finish saw Silver and Freddie win it with a double cradle bomb.  After the match, Joey Eastman came out and cut a promo saying he sees something in the Maine State Posse and that they’re bigger and better than the state that they’re from.  The Posse respectfully declined and left the ring, leading to Eastman running them down.

WINNERS: The Thick Boys

MATCH FIVE: Petey Williams v. “M-Dogg 20” Matt Cross

This match was titled “Innovators” for the contributions both guys made to the independents back in the day.

This was a very good match that showed that both guys still could go.  Cross ended up winning with a Superman springboard into a cutter.

WINNER: Matt Cross

MATCH SIX: Maxwell Jacob Friedman v. Jonathan Gresham

I wasn’t expecting the match that these two ended up having.  Rather than showing that MJF could go hold for hold with the technical master of Gresham, they ended up having a 1980’s WWF house show comedy match centered around an eye poke and the crowd chanting “pee pee sucker” at MJF.

Whether this was the match the crowd was expecting, they ended up enjoying it a lot.  MJF ended up winning with a reverse armbar after a low blow and having been working over the arm the entire match.  It was interesting seeing Gresham doing something different and he was good in the role.  MJF also did well in his role.

After the match, MJF wouldn’t let go of the hold.  Matt Cross came out for the save and cut a promo challenging MJF for the next Limitless show on January 19.

WINNER: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

MATCH SEVEN: Cam Zagami Open Challenge

Cam cut a good promo running down the crowd beforehand.  He issued the open challenge, and from the crowd came Chris Dickinson in street clothes and untied work boots.  He squashed Cam with two brutal Pazuzu Bombs (running Border Toss/Fale Bomb).

He cut a promo saying the entire locker room is afraid of him because they don’t know what he’s going to do.  He was implying that wrestling was fake but he’s real and people don’t know if he’ll actually hurt them.  I’m not sure about breaking the fourth wall, but there you have it.  He called out Eddie Kingston for being afraid of him and said Kingston had better things to do than be here and face him.  So on January 19 on the next show, he can take those better things to do and shove them up his ass, which is where he’s going to shove his boot, too.  Overall, it was a very good promo and is how I think Dickinson’s character should be presented.

WINNER: Chris Dickinson

MATCH EIGHT: Christian Casanova v. “All Ego” Ethan Page

Stokely Hathaway came out and cut a very good promo offering Casanova a spot in the Dream Team, which Casanova accepted.

They had a pretty good match with lots of back and forth.  There was a ref bump, which brought out Mr. Grimm.  He teased hitting Casanova but ended up crushing Page with a pounce.  Casanova then hit Ego with a chain and got the win.  Grimm went to put Ego in an actual bodybag (which is his gimmick) when the Thick Boys ran in for the save.

MATCH NINE: Six-Woman Scramble – Davienne v. Willow Nightingale v. Ashley Vox v. Terra Callaway v. Kennedi Copeland v. Skylar

There was a comedy spot at the beginning, but from there, it was a pretty straight-forward scramble in that there were a lot of spots with dives onto everyone.

The finish saw Callaway beat Copeland after a full-nelson slam.  Good spot for the match before the main event.

WINNER: Terra Callaway

MAIN EVENT: JT Dunn v. “All Good” Anthony Greene (with DL Hurst & Brett Domino)

This has been an ongoing program over who is the true “Ace” of Limitless Wrestling.

Dunn ended up with a (worked) knee injury after coming off the second rope mid-way through the match and sold it the rest of the way.  He did a great job of selling it to the point that the crowd went silent as the ref checked on him.  Greene ended up working it over the rest of the match.

They went back and forth the rest of the way.  Dunn with the Death By Elbow for a nearfall.  Later, he hit a tombstone on the apron and they both went out on the floor where it ended up being a double countout.  Domino and Hurst were about to take Dunn out when Ace Romero made the save.  Dunn pushed him away and said he didn’t need his help.  He turned right into a Green superkick.  Greene and Romero brawled and Ace got the best of him.  This brought out Briggs who brawled with Ace.  Dunn, Greene and Ace ended up out on the floor.  Briggs in the ring and he did a Superman dive over the corner to the floor to take them all out.  Briggs cut a promo challenging all three to a Fatal Four Way on January 19.  Good ending to the show.

WINNER: Double Countout

I really enjoyed this show.  My only criticism was that outside of two matches, every match ended with a handshake, a promo putting the other guy over or a hug.  I’d like more issues/conflict between talents leading into future shows, but that’s just my personal taste.

The crowd was hot all night and really loved the show, so that was a great atmosphere to be a part of for a small promotion like this.  If you’re in the northern part of New England, I would definitely suggest checking out a Limitless show.  Everyone (including the staff) worked very hard to make sure people went home happy.

Check them out online @LWMaine

Chris Jericho On Challenging Kenny Omega For WrestleKingdom 12

Chris Jericho comments on the big Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho match at WrestleKingdom 12.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VCKo-J2Nn0

Chris Jericho challenges Kenny Omega for WrestleKingdom 12 (video)

QUICK REVIEW OF TED DIBIASE DOCUMENTARY “THE PRICE OF FAME”

Former WWE Writer Talks Angle That Vince McMahon Hated, Nixed Batista Backstory Idea, HBK - Jericho

For any WWE fans who care about stuff like this. KURT ANGLE FILLS IN FOR TRIPLE H: 11/7 RAW RESULTS FROM BIRMINGHAM, ENG

Finn Balor beatBray Wyatt.

Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews beat Goldust and Curt Hawkins.

Jason Jordan beat Bo Dallas.

Pete Dunne beat Dan Maloney to retain his WWE UK Championship.

Asuka beat Dana Brooke.

Braun Strowman beat Kane by DQ.

Sasha Banks and Bayley beat Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss, with Alicia Fox as the referee.

The Miz beat Matt Hardy to retain the Intercontinental Title.

Kurt Angle took the spot Triple H had been in earlier on the tour and joined Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to beat Cesaro, Sheamus and Samoa Joe.

FORMER WWE & IMPACT WRESTLER MATT MORGAN ELECTED

Former WWE and Impact Wrestling star Matt Morgan has won the race for Longwood City Commissioner, District 4 in Florida.  He is captured the election to the tune of 58.5% - 41.5%.

In a press release announcing his plans to run last August, Morgan commented, "I have never been the type to sit back and ‘armchair quarterback’ or just complain about things. I am the type that goes out and gets things done. I feel it's my duty to step up and finally start DOING what needs to be done here for my fellow neighbors in this beautiful city.  “I want to do everything possible to make this city a place my three-year-old autistic son can take pride in. I hope that one day he decides to raise his family here as well. I decided it's time to start doing. It's time to be the voice for the voiceless here in the city of Longwood.”

After his wrestling career, Morgan became a spokesperson for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the Drug Abuse Resistance Program (D.A.R.E.).

 

ROCKSTAR SPUD UPDATE

Acouple different wrestling news sites have confirmed that Rockstar Spud will be signing with WWE and will start with the company once all the proper visa paperwork has been completed.  The plan is for Spud to be part of the 205 Live brand.

Spud, the first-ever winner of the company's British reality competition series British Bootcamp, had been used as a wrestler, personality and even ring announcer over the course of his run with the company from 2012 through 2017.  He's an excellent, versatile performer.

The recent photo Dixie Carter put out on her social media with a number of current and former Impact company wrestlers and staff was actually from a farewell dinner for Spud, who we are told is heading back to Great Britain while his visa is finalized.

CWF Mid-Atlantic Worldwide Ep. #128: 17th Annual CWF Rumble - for the Heavyweight title! (Impact Wrestling's Trever lee on this)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQYMW_j73U
-The 17th Annual 30-person CWF Rumble for Trevor Lee's Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight title

Like what you see? CWF Mid-Atlantic runs between 30-40 live events each year; many of which emanate from the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in the heart of the legendary NWA territory along Tabacco Road (1001 Springwood Ave; Gibsonville, NC). Aside from hosting live events, CWF also fully trains all prospective wrestlers and have had no less than two dozen compete for the WWE. For more information on training or to book the stars of CWF in your town, please visit us at www.cwf247.com, facebook.com/cwfmidatlantic, or follow us on twitter @CWFMidAtlantic!

Catching up on the last couple weeks of this. CWF Mid-Atlantic Worldwide Ep. #127:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ZALXr8c90

CWF Mid-Atlantic Worldwide Episode #127 (10/18/17)
-Dirty Daddy vs. Rising Generation League Champion Cain Justice
-Ethan Alexnader Sharpe, Dr. Daniel C. Rockingham, & "The Prince of Broadway" Frankie Flynn vs. Ian Maxwell, KL3, & Bobby Ballentyne

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Here's a nice rarity for you. Kurt Angle vs Alberto El Patron (True Destiny 2017) Jim Ross and Matt Stryker do commentary on this.

Relive Kurt Angle's last ever UK match from WCPW True Destiny this past February.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hFNBVcpcVE

Funny how no wrestling news site mentioned THIS! Impact Wrestling Invades Great North Wrestling

But that's ok, I'll show it to you since the other 'well known' wrestling sites  like PWInsider, Wrestlinginc or the F4/Wrestling Observer won't bother(That is until they find out I posted this and then they'll play catch up to me, again :) )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8CUIbqU3YU
Published on Nov 6, 2017
Petey Williams on Impact Wrestling Tapings in Ottawa Nov 6-10!

Multiple time Impact Wrestling X-Division Champion "Maple Leaf Muscle" Petey Williams appears with and Impact Wrestling

JJ Dillon Compares The Kliq to The Four Horsemen (KC's Being A Horseman)

JJ Dillon on Partying with The Four Horsemen (KC's Being A Horseman)

WRITTEN PODCAST RECAP: The Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast w/ Dave Lagana Part 1, on how he started in the business, working with Billy Corgan, plans for the NWA

Backstage News On Chris Jericho Facing Kenny Omega And Who Came Up With The Idea

Another one bites the dust at Impact Wrestling

Guess my Bram shirt has now become a collective item, LOL.

Thomas Latimer aka Bram announced today via Twitter that he is the latest in a long line of talents to receive a release from Impact Wrestling:


Latimer hasn't been used by the company, with the exception of a Pro Wrestling NOAH tour designed to put he and Robbie E together as a team, since March of this year.  Of late, he's been working for ICW in Europe.

There is a lot of cost cutting within the company right now to a ridiculous degree and I don't expect Latimer to be the last to exit the company this month. 

Let's watch some wrestling, shall we? Fight Pro Wrestling Episode 16


Sicend goes one on one with Jayden Miller. Gemma Cross debuts against the undefeated Kelly Klein. The main event sees a huge tag team match as Ernie Osiris and Bobby Shields team up to take on Cory Bush and the Fight Heavyweight Champion Tanner Reynolds.

Shane Douglas On Bam Bam Bigelow's Strength, November To Remember 97, Promoting ECW

Puff Daddy (or P. Diddy, whatever he's calling himself today) thought he HAD a great idea, BUT..

Realized that maybe he should keep his 'great ideas' to himself.

Posted from multiple wrestling sites.

Musician Diddy has announced he is backing off on his plan to change his stage name to Brother Love.  Apparently, he heard everyone that rolled their eyes and pointed at Bruce Prichard after he made the announcement.

WRITTEN PODCAST RECAP: E&C Pod of Awesomeness w/ Goldust on the brutal Hollywood Backlot Brawl with Roddy Piper, the wrestler who taught him to be a heel, how he turned his life around, who he wanted to have feuds with

Sharing another writer's View on Impact Wrestling paying people to attend their tapings.

I very much agree with this guy here from The pro Wrestling Torch. I even left a comment on this as well there. here's where you can see this guy's views and my comments. https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/06/impact-wrestling-searching-paid-extras-tv-tapings-week-wmcmahons-analysis/#comment-72769

I'm not the only one covering this Impact paying people to come to their shows story.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2017/1106/633833/fans-getting-paid-to-attend-this-week-impact-wrestling-tv-tapings/

Years ago Tito Santana and SGT Slaughter had the AWF and they paid "Non-Wrestling fans" 5o0 bucks each to attend their tapings, LMAO! So this isn't the first time a company has tried to pay people because their product sucks so bad.

LOL! Impact Wrestling is so desperate to fill seats at their tapings this week they do, THIS. Get paid to attend this weeks impact tapings.

Impact Wrestling is working with Ottawa's Smyth Casting to help fill the crowd at this week's tapings at the Aberdeen Pavilion.  The casting agency tweeted the following:


Several readers who reached out to Smyth received the following in response to queries:

Principal Cast Breakdown for the IMPACT Wrestling - Aberdeen Pavilion. 
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW!

Please email smythbooking@gmail.com if you fit the criteria.

Please send us:

Full name

Age

Phone number

E-mail address
MUST BE OTTAWA LOCAL.

NON UNION ONLY.

NON-SPEAKING ROLE.

Filming dates:

Tuesday, November 7th - Thursday, November 9th
Time: 7 PM - 11 PM
Pay rate:

$12.50 / hour for 4 hours work

($50.00 per day of work)

Location: Aberdeen Pavilion

1000 Exhibition Way

Ottawa, ON K1S 5J3
ANYONE 16 years or younger

MUST have a parent and/or guardian with them at all times.
50-75 x audience members (per day - Nov 7th to Nov 9th)

All Ages

Any Ethnicity

Bring friends and family!!

Applicants can work more than 1 day; so please mention if you are available to be hired for multiple days.

Wardrobe: casual clothing - t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts. Weekend casual.

You may be given signs to hold; you are encouraged to look at wrestlers on the website (http://impactwrestling.com/) and make your own signs, that would be very helpful - and you will get more face time on TV!!


You will get to sit in the audience and watch a thrilling night of wrestling provided to you by IMPACT! Each day of filming will be 4 hours long.

CANADA'S CWE MAKES CANADIAN WRESTLING HISTORY YET AGAIN

CWE Surpasses Historic Milestone.





Canadian Wrestling's Elite has learned that it continues to cement itself as a part of Canadian wrestling history!



CWE recently produced its 327th live event in company history and with the last few CWE is officially ranked number 11 for most shows ever produced by an organization in the history of the West four provinces dating back to the 1940s!



Who did CWE surpass to take the #11 spot?! The iconic AWA who produced a total of 325 events across Western Canada during their legendary run during the territory dates.


Now sitting in 11th place all time the 10th spot is next on CWE's radar and held by legendary promoter Alex Turk who promoted 389 shows between 1944-1964.



The top 12 promotions/promoters of all time across the four Western provinces based on volume of events promoted and the amount of events they promoted is the following,



1) Stampede Wrestling 1948-1989 (7,043)



2) Sandor Kovacs 1968-1977 (1,575)



3) Cliff Parker/Rod Fenton 1949-1967 (1,444)



4) Al Tomko- Vancouver 1977-1989 (1,406)



5) ECCW (888)



6) Tony Condello (732)



7) The Madison Club (632)



8) Stampede Wrestling 1999-2008 (454)



9) Canadian Wrestling Federation- Ernie Todd/Kryss Thorn (444)



10) Alex Turk 1944-1964 (389)



11) Canadian Wrestling's Elite 2009-Current (327)



12) AWA- Verne Gagne (325)





A huge thank you to wrestling historian, published author, Canadian wrestling legend, & CWE Alum "Mr. Beefy Goodness" Vance Nevada for this in depth information and bringing it to our attention!



CWE has THIRTY dates on the schedule between Nov 24th-Feb 24th with more still unannounced.



Check out www,cwecanada.ca for information on all of those events!

THE ROAD TO FEAR & LOATHING: WEEKEND RESULTS FROM ICW

Saturday 4th November 2017, O2 Academy, Liverpool (England)

Road to Fear & Loathing Fight Club taping

Attendance: around 250

Results of the matches

ICW ZeroG Championship match
BT Gunn [c] defeated James Drake to retain
***this was James Drake’s ICW debut


Ashton Smith & Rampage Brown defeated Polo Promotions (Jackie Polo & Mark Coffey)

Mikey Whiplash vs Bram ended in a no contest

2/3 Falls Scottish Rules match: Jimmy Havoc vs Chris Renfrew ended in a 1-1 draw

Kenny Williams defeated Joe Hendry
***this was Kenny Williams’s 50th win in ICW

Liverpool Street Fight: Bad Company (Wolfgang & The Purge – Krobar & Stevie James) defeated Fite Network (Kid Fite, Lou King Sharp & Kieger)

ICW Tag Team Championship match: The Marauders (Mike Bird & Wild Boar) [c] defeated Kinky Party (Jack Jester & Sha Samuels) to retain

ICW World Heavyweight Championship match: Joe Coffey [c] defeated Keith Lee to retain
***this was Keith Lee’s ICW debut


======

Sunday 5th November 2017, Tramshed, Cardiff (Wales)

Road to Fear & Loathing Fight Club taping

Attendance: about 350



Results of the matches

Chris Renfrew defeated Lionheart

non-title match: ICW Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray defeated Sierra Loxton and Viper

non-title match – Street Fight: ICW Tag Team Champions The Marauders (Mike Bird & Wild Boar) defeated Kinky Party (Jack Jester & Sha Samuels)

Joe Hendry defeated Beano

2v1 Handicap Match: The Purge (Krobar & Stevie James) defeated Ravie Davie

Stevie Boy defeated Big Grizzly

Death Match: Jimmy Havoc defeated Mikey Whiplash

The next show is ICW: France ‘98 at The Garage in Glasgow (Scotland), on Saturday November 18th

Monday, November 6, 2017

show on St. Louis "Wrestling At The Chase" show

Published on Dec 7, 2014
From the Khorassan Ballroom, Larry Matysik takes us back to the glory days of professional wrestling. This unique 1999 documentary covers the story of KPLR's hit TV show, "Wrestling at the Chase" and the men and women who lived it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db3xhS_ppoo

I have a multi disc set of this I got from someone and I wish we had this show on tv in Chicago Growing up. Some real amazing stuff.

DICK MURDOCH VS TERRY GORDY (October 8, 1982)

From the Sam Houston Coliseum, October 8, 1982. Rare footage of the great Dick Murdoch in action against a young Terry Gordy in his prime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyWDDPIHv0

Terry Funk Confronts Manny Fernandez (October 24th,1979) @The Sportatorium

Ernie Ladd (in street clothes) vs Tom Jones (January 2, 1981)

From Houston. The "Big Cat" makes his own rules, and in 1981, he refuses to wrestle bums like Jones.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuUGbCgzQxg

Harley Race vs El Halcon (AUGUST 31, 1979 NWA World Title)

From the Sam Houston Coliseum, AUGUST 31, 1979. Preceding promo's from Killer Brooks, Brody, & Race, which turns violent. El Halcon must unmask for the title shot.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUqRguoNvNU

Ron Killings vs Curt Hennig NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Since this blog does occasionally feature obscure tunes, here's one.

I remember this band from the 80's when they did the song "Am I Evil" which Metallica covered. This is from 2016 and I just came across it by accident. :) Diamond Head "All The Reasons You Live".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jiifETLjFM

WCPW Hardcore Championship: A Retrospective

The Roads Between Us - NWA Ten Pounds of Gold - Episode Four

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

Days before the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship match between Tim Storm and Nick Aldis (FKA - Magnus from TNA Impact Wrestling), NWA Ten Pounds of Gold takes you on a journey down the different roads between these two men. From the NWA Worlds Champion Tim Storm classroom to Nick Aldis's reflection on winning his first World Championship in TNA Wrestling, this episode dives into their different journeys.

In the last episode of Ten Pounds Of Gold, William Patrick Corgan announced that these two men would battle for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship on November 12th in Los Angeles at Championship Wrestling From Hollywood, Bell time is 3pm for this big battle at the OceanView Pavilion in Port Hueneme, CA - more details at HollywoodWrestling.

IMPACT BOUND FOR GLORY PPV HITS & MISSES 11/5: Alberto’s return, Eli retains, Jimmy Jacobs debuts, Atmosphere, Abyss-Grado, Commentary

I guess the booking team got their booking lessons from the Jarrett is Russo era and can't come up with anything better. A shame because this company cold be, that much better but the bookers for some reason don't want it to be. Just rehash the same ol illogical booking and shrug it off thinking it's 'brilliant'.
https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/06/impact-bound-glory-ppv-hits-misses-115-albertos-return-eli-retains-jimmy-jacobs-debuts-atmosphere-abyss-grado-commentary/

Alberto El Patron On How Paige Is Looking Ahead Of WWE Return, His Impact Wrestling Suspension

JIMMY JACOBS, WHAT HAPPENED AFTER BOUND FOR GLORY WENT OFF THE AIR AND MORE POST-BFG NEWS AND NOTES

We are told a lot of the major finishes and even the Alberto el Patron angle were last minute decisions made late in the afternoon as there were a lot of people debating what direction to go in and how the finishes should go down very late in the day.

Jimmy Jacobs, who debuted on Bound for Glory, was also working behind the scenes at the PPV tonight as a Producer and will be working this week's Impact Wrestling TV tapings.  I am told he will be there all week.

Sami Callihan was the talent being hidden in the "DO NOT ENTER" trailer backstage we are told. 

After Bound for Glory went off the air, Alberto went to the back saying "Best for business" to fans he walked past.  Impact and Drake made their way to their feet and headed to the back as well.

Announced for Thursday's Impact is Eddie Edwards vs. Hijo del Fantasma for the Pro Wrestling NOAH GHC championship and Gail Kim's retirement speech.

Someone I know who was at the PPV said the reason the crowd was chanting "Can't See Sh**" during the fun LAX vs. OVE match was because the wrestlers were fighting on the floor and the videoscreens in the building were only showing the BFG logo as opposed to the action the audience couldn't see. And Also, the rest room facilities were shit to say the least for a crowd that size.

Speaking of size, 600 (possibly, if that) for a major company's PPV? Not good, and if Anthem Sports thinks that crowd number is considered 'good' for a pay per view? Then they really are a clueless bunch of dumb fucks, to say the least.

11/4 WILDKAT WRESTLING REVOLUTION RUMBLE LIVE REPORT

Edward King was on hand as our master of ceremonies to welcome us to the show. King expressed his thanks to the Wildkat fans for their support over the last 6 years. He then introduced the new Wildkat Heavyweight champ, ‘Wildcard’ J Spade. Before Spade could speak the fans began chanting, “You deserve it!”

Spade again thanked the fans for their support. He listed off his I Quit Match with Danny Flamingo and his submission and iron man matches with Matt Lancie as instances where they had been behind him. He was looking forward to his first title defense. He then asked that Edward King introduce him as the Wildkat Heavyweight Champ once more.

The celebration was stopped short by the music of Bruiser, Spade’s opponent for the night. Bruiser said he wanted to personally congratulate Spade. He pointed out that he himself is a 7 time MCW Heavyweight Champ. and warned Spade not to underestimate him. He then extended his hand as a sign of respect. and raised the hand of the champion. While Spade’s guard was down Bruiser leveled Spade with a slap and commenced to pummel him. A t-bone suplex knocked the wind from the champion and Bruiser stretched him out on the mat. Taking back to the mic Buiser said, “I told you, punk. Don’t underestimate me!” as the fans chanted, “You suck! You suck!”

Spade walked to the back under his own power, though smarting, to the adoration of the fans.

Blk Jeez v ‘Mythian Warrior’ Anthony

Before the match started Anthony flexed at Blk Jeez (formerly known as Sabian) from ringside with a young fan who had been jawing with Jeez.

Our match started out with some incredibly smooth chain wrestling; an exchange that soon saw Jeez roll to the outside requesting a time out as fans jeered him. Back inside Jeez was unable to make anything stick against his opponent and took some punishment in the form of a headscissor takedown and a slingshot elbow.

Anthony kept up the pace until a well placed kick stopped him in his tracks. Blk Jeez kept the upper hand for a bit by bending the rules in between doling out his own more legal forms of punishment. Jeez went to the top rope calling for something big, but was stopped by the uppercut of Anthony who then superplexed him off of the turnbuckle. Anthony’s newfound momentum wouldn’t carry him long however, as Blk Jeez nailed him with a sick German suplex for a 2 count followed by a flatliner. Back on the top rope Jeez flew across the length of the ring for a frog splash. Still he was only able to get a 2 count. A woozy Anthony landed a desperation superkick, but was unable to finish the deed. Jeez was caught by the official trying to use the rope for leverage during a pinfall, which allowed Anthony to get back to his feet to roll up Jeez for a 3 count.

Winner: ‘Mythian Warrior’ Anthony

This was a great way to start off the show. Highly entertaining with solid work from our wrestlers.

Anthony is a true pro in all of his matches and it’s always refreshing to see talented wrestlers like Blk Jeez make their debut in front of a new crowd.

Black Wall Street (Drolix and Marcellus Prime) v ‘Chalmation Sensation’ Danny Flamingo and Sam Houston

Houston and Drolix started us off. Drolix seemed hesitant to engage so Houston tagged in Flamingo. Drolix out-quicked Danny to begin with but soon found out why Flamingo is a former Revolution Champion falling victim to some dropkicks and arm drags. This prompted Drolix to retreat to the safety of his corner and tag in Marcellus Prime. The much larger Prime was impossible for Flamingo to overpower and Danny found himself being pummeled by the mountainous Black Wall Street member.

Houston tagged in and started putting his veteran experience to work, attacking the knee of Prime. Drolix tagged in to try his luck against the legend, but found himself in the same predicament as Prime. Black Wall Street was able to stop the assault of Houston following a double team, and the two began to pummel the vet taking every shortcut they could to keep the ball on their side of the court.

At this point the match began to resemble a street fight as a fired up Flamingo re-entered the fray. A DRS jawbreaker dazed Prime, but the referee was distracted by Drolix and didn’t count the pin. This allowed Prime to get back to his feet and nearly put Danny through the ring with a press spinebuster. Prime dumped Houston outside unceremoniously and was soon sent to the floor himself by a Rocky and Carlo’s Special (bicycle kick) from Flamingo Our former Revolution champ then landed on all three men at ringside with a death defying crossbody from the apron! The steet fight like nature of the match continued at ringside and both teams were then counted out to a draw. Not to worry as our combatants weren’t finished beating on each other. The two teams were then separated by security as Houston jawed with the official over not counting the pinfall earlier.

Winner: Draw

Rest assured this is not over. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of this rivalry. This contest had a feeling that it was personal, thanks in no small part to the brand of fury only Danny Flamingo can bring to a match.

‘Ruthless’ Ryan Davidson v ‘The Situ-Asian’ Bu Ku Dao

For years, this rivalry has been building up from the beginnings of a rolling boil to a volcanic eruption.

The two started in on each other before the bell rang and laid in some hard shots. An early Wasabi attempt by Dao ended up landing him on the receiving end of a thunderous slam. After that Davidson began inflicting a textbook beating on the ‘Situ-Asian’. Dao refused to quit and fired back with some quick elbows, but couldn’t fully swing momentum back in his favor. Still Davidson was unable to break the indomitable will of the former Wildkat Heavyweight Champ as Bu Ku would not stay down for a three count or give up while being stretched. An expertly placed DDT from Dao left both competitors on the mat trying to shake out the cobwebs.

Dao showed that he has learned his lesson from battling much larger men by attacking with some lightning quick offense in the form of strikes and a facebuster, but a successful Wasabi attempt could not keep Davidson down for the three. Dao then wrapped up Davidson in The General Tso-Mission who was able to reverse the hold into a pinning attempt. Dao slipped the pin and held Davidson’s shoulders to the mat with a crucifix pin for the three count.

Winner: ‘The Situ-Asian’ Bu Ku Dao

After the bell rang, Davidson was enraged. He set to work dismantling Dao finishing up with a fisherman buster. After the referee pleaded with him, Davidson finally took his leave so that Doa could collect himself and walk to the back.

Both Davidson and Doa have highly entertaining personalities and always put on a great show in the ring. Putting them together is a sure winner. The fire and intensity that they’ve been bringing to this feud is a nice new take as well.

‘The Equal Opportunity Ass Kicker’ Ruby Raze issues an open challenge…

Raze took to the ring ready to call out anyone in the back who would dare try and best her. Before she could speak we were all surprised to hear the intro music of ‘The King of Dong Style’ Joey Ryan!

Ryan strutted out to the ring with his patented swagger while the Wildkat fans lost their minds. If they had had rose petals in their possession they would have been tossing them at his feet. Ryan asked who wanted his lollipop, then placed his sucker in the mouth of one ‘lucky’ fan wearing an Ultimate Warrior t shirt.

At the start of the contest Joey Ryan  stuck out his pelvis and exclaimed, “Touch my penis!” A YP Plex seemed imminent, but Raze refused. He grabbed her arm in an arm lock and tried to force contact, but Raze escaped and began laying in right hands.

The fight then rolled outside and that’s when things got serious. The two began choking and striking each other to great effect right before the front row fans with Ruby Raze coming out on top of the exchange. Much to her chagrin she soon fell victim to a YP Plex, but Ryan was only able to get a 2 count! A Boob Plex later and Raze was reeling.

Ryan produced a second lollipop from his tights and the fans went ballistic. He placed it in her mouth for Sweet Tooth Music, but still only got a 2 count! The fans were now fully behind Raze who used her newfound momentum wisely. Punishing Ryan with a series of suplexes and slams she then felled him with a rope-hung brainbuster for the 3 count!

Your Winner: ‘The Equal Opportunity Ass Kicker’ Ruby Raze

Short, sweet and wall-to-wall entertaining. Yes please! Raze was the perfect opponent for Joey Ryan’s first showing in a Wildkat ring. A match handed down by the wrestling gods themselves. I’d love to see Ryan return to take on more members of the Wildkat roster in the future.

‘Wildcard’ J Spade(c) v Bruiser for the Wildkat Heavyweight Championship

After taking an eternity to engage, Bruiser had both the fans and the champion riled up. He used that anger to his advantage and smacked Spade with some cheap shots. Spurred on by the fans, Spade fired back and the two engaged in a back and forth full-contact sparring session both in and out of the ring. Once back inside Bruiser ducked a diving crossbody by Spade, but only picked up a 2 count.

Stretching, stomping and pummeling the new champion, Bruiser was cutting a path to victory with each passing moment. When the referee found himself distracted by Bruiser’s valet, the challenger took the opportunity to choke out Spade with a piece of his athletic tape. Taking every opportunity to break the rules, it was clear Bruiser had no intention of competing in a fair fight. The battered champion refused to give in, but couldn’t build a head of steam against his first challenger.

Bruiser found himself on the losing end of an exchange of right hands and Spade followed up  with a tornado DDT and a diving crossbody for a controversial 2 count. After having words with the referee over the count Spade fell victim to a t bone suplex also for a 2 count. A discus forearm to a bewildered Bruiser later and J Spade was able to pick up the pinfall victory!

Winner: ‘Wildcard’ J Spade

Exciting and high energy. The perfect first defence for Spade. Spade is a true athlete and is proving himself to be a deserving champion. I’ve also enjoyed Bruiser at the last two Wildkat shows and hope to see him more in the future.

Kojak Sly w/ Hardbody Harper v Krazy With a K

The mammoth Sly stalked Krazy from across the ring like prey. Kojak proved impervious to all of Krazy’s attacks who took an incredible bump in the form of a fall away slam when trying for a diving crossbody.

After nearly decapitating Krazy with a lariat, Sly lifted his lifeless body overhead for a vicious facebuster finally putting him out of his misery via 3 count.

Winner: Kojak Sly

Kojak Sly is definitely becoming more and more of that monster in the ring he was meant to be.

Ken Dixon(c) v Socorro w/Hardbody Harper and Kojak Sly

Socorro immediately marched out to the ring after Kojak Sly’s victory and Harper proclaimed that they would not be waiting for the main event for Socorro’s Revolution title rematch. He demanded that Ken Dixon make his way to the ring and the Revolution Champion was happy to oblige.

It was clear early on that this was personal as the two began slugging and wrenching away with some hellish blows and holds. Socorro quickly resorted to pulling the beard of Dixon. Sly and Harper proved invaluable at ringside. After Socorro missed a Splash of Soco, Dixon sent him to the outside so that he himself could recover from the assaults of Sly and Harper.

Once Socorro was back inside, Dixon began bending the rules in his own way, fighting fire with fire. The vicious slugfest that this match had become got out of hand as the referee was leveled in the whirlwind of their melee.

Unable to count the three after a belly to back suplex from Socorro. Sly took the opportunity to aid Socorro in leveling Dixon, but the champion was back to his feet before long to deliver an avalanche ace crusher to Socorro. He was only able to pick up the two count though and following some shenanigans from Sly and Harper, Socorro was finally able to hit the Splash of Soco and pick up the 3 count.

Winner: Socorro

A good high paced contest with plenty of action and story. If I had to sum this up in one word, it would be, “intense.”

Pump Patrol (Curt Matthews, Jared Wayne and Johnny Flex) v ‘Southern Stomper’ Luke Hawx and ‘Outlaw’ Matt Lancie

Matthews and Lancie started us off, and Pump Patrol quickly took to using underhanded tactics to get ahead. Having had enough, Luke tagged in. Soon all out chaos had erupted in the ring orchestrated by Pump Patrol, but Lancie was quick to level Wayne and Flex. After sending Matthews to the outside to join his teammates, Hawx and Lancie started mocking Pump Patrol by doing pushups and squats.

Always having something to prove against Hawx, Flex tagged in and engaged. Hawx was quick to overpower him and set in with his patented back breakers, getting in 5 of them before Flex escaped. A fired up Flex then escaped a press slam and sent Hawx to the outside with a dropkick.

Once both were back inside Lancie and Matthews tagged in and took the fight to the outside. As they beat on each other, Jared Wayne hit them both with a rolling senton from the apron! Hawx tried to dismantle Johnny Flex, but the quick and sly Flex was able to catch him on the middle rope for a powerbomb! A Pumple’s Elbow on Lancie got them a 2 count. Hawx tagged in to deal with Wayne, but the two wrestled to a stalemate. Lancie came back in hot and destroyed Matthews’ ribs with a spear! Wayne intervened and in the confusion Flex mistakenly hit Wayne in the eyes with a handful of protein powder.

Lancie and Hawx took Wayne apart with a combination powerbomb to blockbuster double team! The three count was just the cherry on top.

Winners: ‘Southern Stomper’ Luke Hawx and ‘Outlaw’ Matt Lancie.

This match has been building since X-Rated 3 back in June. All five of these guys always give more than 100% in the ring and it’s a real treat seeing them all in there at the same time. As a fan following the story it was also nice to see Pump Patrol get their comeuppance.

Revolution Rumble

Each year Wildkat puts on a unique rumble match at their anniversary event. Two combatants start off in the ring and the rest the entrants fill in one-by-one at regular intervals until all 15 have made their way in. Competitors are eliminated when they are thrown over the top rope and both feet hit the floor, as with regular battle royal rules. However, when only two wrestlers are left the match is restarted as a singles one-fall-to-a-finish contest. The winner is then granted a shot at the coveted Wildkat Revolution title at the following show.

The entry order for the match was as follows.

  1. Drolix
  2. Jace Valor w/ The Mobile Home Mafia (Herc ‘ZZ’ LaBouef and Bubba Boudreaux)
  3. Mr. Bates w/ Nathan Bradley
  4. ‘Mr. Excellence’ Brandon Scott
  5. Marcellus Prime
  6. Johnny Flex
  7. Scott Phoenix
  8. Edgrin Stone
  9. Joey Ryan
  10. Jared Wayne
  11. ‘Chalmation Sensation’ Danny Flamingo
  12. ‘The Situ-Asian’ Bu Ku Dao
  13. ‘Money’ Mike Carradine
  14. Blk Jeez
  15. Kojak Sly

Marcellus Prime was eliminated by Edgrin Stone. Mr. Bates suffered the same fate by Stone’s hand. Jared Wayne was then eliminated followed by Drolix. Scott Phoenix was eliminated by Edgrin Stone. Stone was having a career day!

Bu Ku Dao was eliminated via YP Plex from Joey Ryan. Danny Flamingo was eliminated by Johnny Flex. Joey Ryan was then eliminated. Mike Carradine was eliminated by Kojak Sly.

At this point Edgrin Stone and Kojak Sly stood toe-to-toe. Stone drew Sly off balance and eliminated him. Johnny Flex then sneakily eliminated Blk Jeez.

Our final four were Jace Valor, Johnny Flex, Edgrin Stone and Brandon Scott.

Johnny Flex used his cunning to stay in it, nailing Edgrin Stone with a drive by dive from the top rope and Brandon Scott with a sunset flip. As Stone tried to eliminate Flex, they were both dumped outside by Scott and Valor.

We were down to just Jace Valor and Brandon Scott. At this point the match was restarted as a one one one contest.

The two went at each other with a fury I had never seen from either of them before. Brandon Scott took over initially as the MHM tried to coach Valor from ringside. When Scott missed a diving fist drop Valor tried to take advantage, but was unable to match Scott’s pace.

Jace answered a discuss elbow with an overhead kick to get the ball of momentum rolling down hill for him for the first time in the match. Scott used his lightning quick reflexes and technical prowess to escape and the two engaged in a series of pin attempts. Soon after Valor found himself on top of the exchange and got the 3 count!

Winner: Jace Valor

This Revolution Rumble did a good job of shaping some of the newer Wildkat talents. I’m not sure of the numbers but I wouldn’t doubt that Edgrin Stone set the record for most eliminations in a single Rumble, and Johnny Flex’s bag of tricks gets more and more versatile with every show.

MOOSE FIRES BACK AGAINST CRITICS OF BOUND FOR GLORY

Impact Wrestling's Moose took to Twitter today to respond to those who were critical of the Bound for Glory PPV last night:


Your roster is great, it's your booking team and their lame bullshit ideas that fail that's the problem. Whose fault is it that the bookers suck ass and the illogical booking of BFG clearly showed that? HHMMM, look at your bookers, dumb ass. And if anyone wants to ask "can you do better"? My answer? ABSOLUTELY I could do better, any day of the week.  I worked for indy groups that actually know HOW to book logically, unlike Impact Wrestling.

Instead of showing how they are different? You get the same old Bullshit Booking Impact Wrestling always does.

http://www.f4wonline.com/tna-results/bound-glory-2017-live-results-eli-drake-vs-johnny-impact-245786

Here's a comparison that nothing changes if nothing REALLY changes.

Bound for Glory 2007. It was a great show from top to bottom but then in the end, there was bullsh** interference from Kevin Nash ruining a Sting vs. Kurt Angle main event. The inteference didn't enhance the match, it just ruined the overall experience that was the rest of the show. It didn't further the main event. It didn't further any real storyline, it was just a bullsh** out. It took a crowd that was having a great time and left them less than enthused walking out, because the last thing the fans remember is what they see before the show ends.

A decade later, there is no Vince Russo, no Jeff Jarrett, no Dixie Carter to point the finger at and place the blame on, yet the company did the exact same thing they always do anytime they have any hope of trying to show the world things are different. Thing aren't different and let's all face it, they won't be a year from now - and Impact have no one to blame but themselves, because every person who took the heat and was blamed for these decisions in the past is nowhere near Impact right now. It was just another bullsh** out.

It was just another bullsh** finish to another bullsh** PPV and even worse, it was the same old crap when the company needs, NEEDS, NEEDS to not be the same old crap all over again. The only ones this company are going to be bullsh**ing if they keep this up is themselves, because with each passing repeat, they lose more and more of the fan base that is left - and that fan base is a small percentage of what they had three years ago. Doing the same old angles and finishes that WWE has done to death forever won't fix that, but at this point, what the hell will fix that?

I know someone in the company will be emailing me, tonight to tell me how I am being unfair. I am not and before anyone calls, I ask them this question - when's the last time Vince McMahon completely F***ed his audience on a Wrestlemania main event? This was your Wrestlemania. You should have treated the main event like that, not a Nitro from 2000.

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Chris Jericho to face Kenny Omega at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

In a shocker, Chris Jericho will be wrestling Kenny Omega at the Tokyo Dome for New Japan Pro Wrestling on January 4th, 2018. Omega retained his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Trent Barreta at today's Power Struggle show and called out his next challenger after. It was teased that no one was left to challenge him, but Jericho then appeared in a video.

Jericho said he was the best in the world and the Alpha of this business before challenging Omega to the match, which Omega accepted. Jericho and Omega, who are both from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, have been engaged in a Twitter "feud" recently, but it wasn't apparent if that would ever amount to anything.

After Power Struggle, the other matches that appear to be set for Wrestle Kingdom 12 at the Tokyo Dome are Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White (who returned to NJPW as Switchblade today) for the IWGP Intercontinental title, Marty Scurll vs. Will Ospreay vs. KUSHIDA vs. Hiromu Takahashi for the Junior title, and Sho & Yoh vs. The Young Bucks for the Junior tag titles.

 Jericho is able to work the match due to being a free agent after his WWE contract expired.

Triple H appears at ICW show in Cardiff..

While the Raw brand is in the United Kingdom for the first several stops on their side of the European tour, Triple H paid a visit to one of the country's promotions that WWE is friendly with.

He made a surprise appearance at Insane Championship Wrestling's "Road to Fear & Loathing X" show in Cardiff, Wales today. ICW owner Mark Dallas and WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne were in the ring before Dallas called out Triple H to join them. Triple H got a big reaction from the crowd and cut a brief promo, thanking them for supporting the promotion and pro wrestling.

During the promo, Triple H called ICW one of the places where the wrestling business starts. He said the European scene is going to continue to grow, with guys like Dunne and Tyler Bate setting the world on fire, and closed by saying the industry is going to be taken to new heights.

Along with PROGRESS Wrestling, ICW is one of the promotions in the UK that WWE has a working relationship with. Noam Dar and Kassius Ohno have also appeared at ICW shows over the last few months.

The Raw roster is in Cardiff for a house show today as well, with both Triple H and Dunne wrestling on the event. Video of Triple H's appearance in ICW is available to watch below:

'Tokyo' Joe Daigo passes away at 75 years old

Yukihiro Sakada, better known as Joe Daigo and Tokyo Joe, a former wrestler and longtime agent for New Japan Pro Wrestling, passed away today in Calgary from colon cancer.
He was 75.
Daigo had been living in Calgary for more than 40 years. He was in an auto accident and was confined to a wheelchair, but helped train TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), Harry Smith (Davey Boy Smith Jr.), Natalya, and many other wrestlers in the area, as well as helped train numerous Japanese wrestlers including Jushin Liger, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Kensuke Sasaki, Shinya Hashimoto, Hiroshi Hase, Hiro Saito, Super Strong Machine, George Takano, among others.
"He really taught me a lot about training, and about life really," said Smith. "He had a sixth sense, second sight or maybe a bit psychic. I'm not sure if anything with his leg injury had to do with that, but he was always right about everything."
Sakada for the past several years had lived in seclusion in Calgary, and had kept his cancer a secret.
He wrestled from 1966 to 1974, when he suffered his career ending auto accident, in the United States, Canada, and Japan, with his home base being the old IWE promotion.
He was best known as a trainer and talent scout for New Japan Pro Wrestling, and was a key in getting international exposure and stardom for people like Bret Hart, Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith, as well as The Undertaker and Bam Bam Bigelow early in their careers.

WRITTEN PODCAST RECAP: Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard on No Mercy 1999: Moolah’s controversial past, Bob Holly wants to be champ, British Bulldog’s lackluster return (Pt. 2)

This cracked me up alittle, LOL. This Is The Anthem (Throw All Your Hands Up): McNEILL previews Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory 2017 (w/ Wrestling History Lesson)!

IMPACT HITS & MISSES 11/2: Final hype for Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact BFG main event, Dan Lambert’s promo, Moose, X Division

Shane Helms On WWE Departures, Who Can Carry Impact Wrestling, 205 Live Issues, WCW, Invasion Angle

Jim Cornette Talks Past Heat With WWE, What He Said To Vince McMahon When He Returned, WWE HOF

Former NWA Star Manny Fernandez Talks Friendship With Dusty Rhodes, Dusty Protecting Him

Picture of ring at Bound For Glory and other Impaxct Wrestling News

The PPV and the TV tapings will be the first events actually booked under the John Gaburick, Scott D'Amore, Sonjay Dutt, Jeremy Borash,   Abyss regime.  All of TV leading to tonight's PPV was locked in and filmed when Jeff Jarrett was with the company.

We received a question regarding why every Impact Wrestling referee opted out of the company.  The word that has made the rounds is that the company offered a number of them a payday greatly reduced from what they usually received, which started the domino effect when the Hebners requested releases instead.  There was talk that Jack Doan was reached out to work the PPV as a referee, but we haven't confirmed he's actually going to do so. It's expected all the refs will be locals.

In the wake of what happened with the referees, there has been some concern among wrestlers that they will be asked to renegotiate deals to take lesser money at some point over the course of this week's tapings.   Everyone is aware of how deep the cost-cutting is, with talents who aren't needed for the PPV not even being brought in until whatever taping date they are needed.  There are some talents who are working just a few taping dates before being sent home, which likely means, at least in the case of top talents, a lot of material filmed out of sequence.

The company is also down a lot of the backstage crew.  No one in Canada has told me they've seen Bob Ryder and it appears he's doing his duties from Nashville.  Jolene George, the company's seamstress, was scheduled for this week and then at the last minute was told the company was not bringing her in.  The company didn't bring in at least part of the production team that handled pre-tapes.  There were also several company staffers who were not able to get into Canada we are told, including the person who drives the merchandise to the shows. 

Devon Nicholson's Great North Wrestling went on their Facebook page asking that any fans interesting in helping to set up the building come by this morning.  Nicholson is expected to work the tapings this week.  

Wrestling Epicenter #491 - Alberto El Patron Impact Wrestling Teleconference 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6v-0504csk

Published on Nov 4, 2017
Impact Wrestling's Alberto El Patron was the guest on the GFW Impact Wrestling conference call. We hear about Paige, his problem with his fiance, and his decision to request to be stripped of the title.