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AEW Dynamite Anniversary Show Preview

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All Elite Wrestling marks the one year of Dynamite tonight with a special 1-Year Anniversary of their flagship show.

To mark the occasion, AEW has booked a stack card. For the first time ever, all [sanctioned] championship belts will be up for grabs.

There are five matches signed for this week’s live AEW Dynamite:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against “The Murderhawk Monster” Lance Archer. Archer earned the title shot by winning the Casino Battle Royal at All Out.
  • Best Friends will challenge FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championships. This bout will carry the “Brush With Greatness” stipulation with a 20-minute time limit.
  • AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will face Big Swole.
  • “The Best Man” Miro & Kip Sabian will be in action.

In addition to these matches, MJF (with Wardlow) is scheduled to make a huge announcement.

Jon Moxley Makes Bloodsport Debut Against Chris Dickenson (Video)

Impact Results 10/13: Moose Finds EC3, Rich Swann Cleared For BFG

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Impact Wrestling 10/13 continued the build to Bound For Glory on October 24th, 2020. Doc Gallows faced Madman Fulton, Kimber Lee faced Kylie Rae and more.

Impact Wrestling 10/13 Quick Results:

  1. Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie defeated Tasha Steelz & Kiera Hogan vs Neveah & Havok
  2. Crazzy Steve defeated Fallah Bah
  3. Heath, Hernandez, Rhino, Cousin Jake, & Alisha Edwards defeated Johnny Swinger, Cody Deaner, Tommy Dreamer, Tenille Dashwood, and Brian Myers
  4. Kylie Rae defeated Kimber Lee
  5. Doc Gallows defeated Madman Fulton

Moose Finally Finds EC3

Moose finally found EC3 this week in the final segment of the show. EC3 was holding the TNT World title that he called a false title for a false idol. He put the title down and dared Moose to fight him, which Moose quickly obliged to. The two brawled in some undisclosed location, just as they will at Bound For Glory.

Moose got the better of the exchange and walked away from a bloody EC3 with the TNA World title in his grasp.

Rich Swann Cleared To Compete At Bound For Glory

Eric Young closed out this week’s episode with a promo. He asked Scott D’Amore to officially announce that Rich Swann would not be medically cleared for Bound For Glory. Young attacked Swann again last week in a gym. D’Amore announced that Young had done extensive damage to Swann’s ankle last week but he would be cleared to compete at the PPV.

Young then attacked D’Amore but Rich Swann came out for the save. He hit a springboard cutter off the ropes, seemingly not favouring his ankle at all. Young escaped the ring and Swann celebrated with the title to end the segment.

Doc Gallows Defeats Madman Fulton In No DQ Match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGHwpPrJ3u8

Before this match could begin, the Good Brothers cut a promo. They noted they are happy they signed with Impact but that they need to become the tag-team champions. They will have that opportunity at Bound For Glory in the 4-team tag match. This week, Gallows would face Madman Fulton, who will team with Ace Austin at Bound For Glory.

Fulton and Gallows were first counted out but the match was restarted as a no-dq no-countout match. Gallows finished his opponent off with a double-handed chokeslam onto two tables for the win.

Kylie Rae Shows A More Vicious Side Ahead Of Bound For Glory Title Match

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

Kylie Rae will face Deonna Purrazzo for the Knockouts title at Bound For Glory. This week she took on Purrazzo’s run-in buddy, Kimber Lee. Rae scored the victory with the Smile To The Finish submission but the newly aggressive Smiley Kylie wouldn’t let go of the hold.

Purrazzo hit the ring and attacked her challenger from behind but Kylie fought back and took the champ down with a superkick. Rae mounted the champion and reigned down the blows but Purrazzo found away to escape to end the segment.

Heath Or Rhino Need To Win Call Your Shot Gauntlet To Remain In Impact

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M5HBnEepGY

After contract negotiations between Impact and Heath broke down last week, a new deal was worked out between Rhino and Scott D’Amore this week. They agreed that Heath would be entered into the Call Your Shot Gauntlet on the PPV but if neither Heath or Rhino win, then Heath will be given no more opportunities in Impact and Rhino will forfeit his contract as well.

This week a 10-person tag was scheduled with the winning team facing each other next week in a 5-way match. The winner of that match will be given the #20 spot in the gauntlet on the PPV.

Heath picked up the win for his team by pinning Johnny Swinger with the Wake-Up Call.

Havok Agrees To Help Re-Incarnate Father James Mitchell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHY7jtUIqXA

The Knockouts division seems to have several tag-teams working together at the moment. This week’s opening match featured 3 of them. The team of Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie might be busy planning for the Demon Assassins wedding but they were able to focus their efforts enough to pick up the victory here.

The finish of the match came after Taya had taken out Neveah, Havok, and Kiera Hogan on the outside. This left Rosemary in the ring with Tasha Steelz. Rosemary hit a spear followed a double undertook sit-out slam type move.

After the match, Rosemary and Taya stared down Havok & Neveah in the ring while Hogan and Steelz watched on from the ramp.

Rosemary needs Father James Mitchell to officiate her wedding to John E Bravo. For this to happen, she needs Havok’s (who helped murder Mitchell) help. Later in the show, Havok and Rosemary agreed to a match for next week. If Rosemary wins, the Sinister Minister will be brought back, if Havok wins, he will not be.

Crazzy Steve Picks Up Victory Over Fallah Bah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peLnu0YoKvQ

There is a wad of cash that is flowing through the Impact Wrestling roster like the sisterhood of the traveling pants (unless I misunderstand what that movie is about). This started when Hernandez and Rhino were feuding over gambling debts and arm-wrestling. Then last week Fallah Bah obtained the cash in the backstage shower area. This week Fallah Bah and Crazzy Steve met in singles competition with the wad of cash playing a significant role.

Steve kept trying to get Fallah Bah to take his shirt off, potentially revealing the wad of cash’s location. The finish of the match came when Steve ripped Bah’s shirt off and revealed he was keeping the cash attacked to a necklace. Steve hit a schoolboy on the distracted Bah and picked up the 3-count. Bah escaped to the back still with the cash, however. Josh Matthews noted on commentary that Hernandez will now know for sure it was Fallah Bah who stole the cash from him.

Next Week On Impact Wrestling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1llCwNe5bE

The following matches are scheduled for next week’s show:

  • Hernandez vs Cousin Jake vs Rhino vs Alisha Edwards vs Heath
  • Eddie Edwards vs Sami Callihan
  • Chris Bey, Rohit Raju & Jordynne Grace vs TJP, Willie Mack & Trey Miguel
  • The North vs The Good Brothers

Updated Card For Bound For Glory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQW1A6W9GyM

The following matches are scheduled for Bound For Glory:

  • Impact World Championship
    Eric Young (c) vs Rich Swann
  • Knockouts Championship
    Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Kylie Rae
  • Impact Tag Team Championships
    The Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs the Good Brothers vs The North vs Ace Austin & Madman Fulton
  • X-Division Championship
    Rohit Raju (c) vs Jordynne Grace vs TJP vs Chris Bey vs Trey Miguel vs Willie Mack
  • Undisclosed Location
    EC3 vs Moose
  • Ken Shamrock w/ Sami Callihan vs Eddie Edwards
  • Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match

Aleister Black On Redefining His Character After Failing To Connect On The Main Roster

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Aleister Black was moved to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2020 WWE Draft. The former NXT Champion recently spoke to Sports Illustrated about the evolution of his character, battling mental health issues and much more.

The man formerly known by Tommy End achieved a great deal of success in NXT. Since transitioning to the main roster in February 2019, the results have been mixed. In recent months he turned heel, got new theme music and has been sporting an eye patch after getting viciously attacked by Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy.

Black spoke to Justin Barrasso about these changes. “I think the reason for that is we moved so far away from what Aleister Black was in NXT that people started getting confused about what exactly Aleister Black was supposed to be,” he said.

“After a few conversations, I said, ‘I need a different direction.’ That led to the creation of this new Aleister Black, where he is a little more human and people can latch on to him quicker.”

Aleister Black Wants to Work With Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman

Black clarified that being ‘a little more human’ does not necessarily mean being a good guy. It can also mean being a villain, but he thinks it makes it easier for fans to identify with the character’s motives.”

The Great Chessboard

Black has struggled to find his footing on the main roster. However, he is not discouraged. He sees the opportunities presented on Raw and SmackDown as a “great chessboard.” If he does not get the opportunity to do what he needs to do, he’s got no problem burning the whole chessboard.

“If that means he’s sent to purgatory, that’s fine, because he’s been in purgatory. If you want to take it one step further and send him to hell, that’s fine, too. He’s accustomed to hell, his whole childhood was spent there. If Aleister Black doesn’t get his opportunity, then no one does.”

Aleister Black acknowledges that this mentality is more relatable than what we saw from his first year on the main roster.

“Before, that motive wasn’t as clear. A few months ago, what did he stand for? He was fighting for himself, then he got entangled with Rey Mysterio, and that left himself open to vicious beatings each week. It seemed like he never learned from his mistakes, which is strange for Aleister, because he seems so calculated. That got shuffled away a little bit.”

Head over to Sports Illustrated to read their full interview with Aleister Black.

Christian Talks RETRIBUTION Leader Having “A Lot of Untapped Potential”

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Former WWE/TNA Superstar and multiple time World Champion Christian recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. Christian appeared on the show to discuss the release of the new Cagefighter movie.

Christian also discussed a number of other topics, including the RETRIBUTION stable and angle on Monday Night RAW. Captain Charisma would state that the new leader of the group, Ali, is an exciting prospect in the role.

Christian on Ali in Retribution

“I think that he’s got a lot of untapped potential” Christian began on the podcast. We haven’t really had a chance to see any layers of his personality, I don’t think. And? I think that there’s a lot there.”

Ali was recently revealed as the leader of the RETRIBUTION group. Ali would align with the group on RAW shortly before the WWE Draft. The casting of such a ‘fringe’ character on WWE programming to such a prominent role was risky; however Christian believes that WWE have the chance to develop Ali further alongside the likes of T-BAR.

“I’m interested to see how that unfolds and how he builds on it” Christian continued. “Now? He’s got an opportunity. That’s what you know everybody needs, that opportunity to show what they can do and he’s got it now.”

Christian would finish by praising Ali further, saying that he hopes the newly ‘heel’ Ali can flourish in the role. “I’m really really interested and hoping that he can hit it out of the park on this.”

It was recently reported that WWE opted to send a RETRIBUTION member ‘back’ to NXT. Pwinsider.com reported that Mercedes Martinez had been removed from Retribution after she had been assigned the “Retaliation” name. There’s currently no confirmation on why WWE decided to take this route with Martinez.

Do you agree with Christian? Do you think that Ali will be able to get higher up the roster with RETRIBUTION? Let us know in the comments

AEW Rankings Report 10/14: Brodie Lee Drops Several Spots

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AEW has released new rankings ahead of tonight’s special Anniversary episode of Dynamite. All championships will be on the line tonight.

AEW Men’s Singles Division

AEW World Champion: Jon Moxley (19-0)
TNT Champion: Cody (19-2)

  1. Lance Archer (13-1)
  2. Brian Cage (9-1)
  3. MJF (9-1) 
  4. Brodie Lee (8-2) (TNT champion last week)
  5. Scorpio Sky (8-2)

The only movement in the men’s singles division this week sees Cody reclaim his spot as the TNT Champion. After losing the title in a dog-collar match, Brodie Lee drops to #4, the exact spot Cody was ranked at last week.

Two big title matches take place in the division this week. Cody will defend against unranked Orange Cassidy. Jon Moxley will also look to defend the AEW World Championship against #1 ranked Lance Archer.

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AEW Women’s Division

AEW Women’s Champion: Hikaru Shida (17-1)

  1. Nyla Rose (11-2)
  2. Big Swole (10-3)
  3. Penelope Ford (9-5) 
  4. Abadon (5-1)
  5. Dr. Britt Baker (5-6)

There was no movement in the women’s singles division this week. #1 ranked Nyla Rose sent a message on Dark, however. Vickie Guerrero said that Rose won’t wrestle on Dark anymore until she gets another shot at champion Hikaru Shida.

#2 Big Swole will get a title shot tonight on the Anniversary show as well.

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AEW Tag Team Division

AEW Tag Team Champions: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (11-0)

  1. Best Friends (17-6)
  2. Young Bucks (7-3)
  3. The Natural Nightmares (8-2)
  4. Butcher and the Blade (9-5) 
  5. Santana & Ortiz (8-5)

There was no movement in the men’s tag-team division this week. Last week on Dynamite, FTR successfully defended their belts against the unranked TH2.

Tonight on Dynamite, the titles will again be on the line as FTR look to defend against the #1 ranked Best Friends.

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Sonya Deville Says She and Mandy Rose Are Best Friends Again

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Mandy Rose defeated Sonya Deville at SummerSlam this August. The match carried a stipulation that the loser would leave WWE. Despite Rose ending her career, Deville says the two have made up after Rose apologized. She took to Instagram to announce their reconciliation, which evidently took place on a boat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGTPY_RHtWQ/?igshid=h0umxson49s6

Deville also recently celebrated “National Coming Out Day”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGNp57ennDq/

Where Is Sonya Deville?

Shortly before SummerSlam, Deville and Rose were staying at Deville’s Florida home when an intruder broke in. The suspect has been denied bond and is currently in prison awaiting trial. He is believed to have sent several disturbing messages to Deville’s social media.

According to reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the reason Deville vs Rose at SummerSlam was changed from hair vs hair to career vs career is because Deville’s legal team didn’t think it was a good idea for her to appear in court with a shaved head. Deville is believed to have been scheduled for time off after SummerSlam regardless, due to acting opportunities.

“The original idea was not to shave her bald, but to cut off most of her hair for some sort of an acting role. No word on how long she’ll be gone but she’s not leaving WWE,” wrote Dave Meltzer. 

Britt Baker Addresses Fan Criticism Of AEW’s Women’s Division

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All Elite Wrestling star Dr. Britt Baker has acknowledged the criticism leveled at the promotion’s women’s division. However, Baker stressed how it’s not just on AEW. According to her, “we need help from the fans at home too!”

Baker shared her thoughts during an interview with Uproxx.com. She explained how “[…] it’s something the company is working on” before highlighting the impact COVID-19 had on the promotion.

“You know, and we got hit hard—our women’s division, because of the COVID outbreak. Half our roster is international talent, so we immediately didn’t have access to any of those women. Then Kris Statlander got hurt, and I got hurt. And there’s only so much time on AEW Dynamite to start with.”

Baker explained how AEW has plans in place to help grow the women’s division. However, “[…] at the same time we need help from the fans at home too! We can’t have the women’s segments being the lowest rated or the lowest views each week. Because at the end of the day it’s a business, and AEW needs ratings.”

Britt Baker stressed how the Wednesday Night Wars between AEW and NXT aren’t a secret. She stressed that in order to get more time dedicated to AEW’s women, “we need the ratings up” during their segments.

“So for the fans that are so encouraging and saying ‘We want more women, we want more women!’ that’s great, but please don’t turn the channel when the women are on TV then!” Baker stressed. “We want everybody to be watching the segments and cheering us on from home.”

Cody Rhodes On Remaining Open To Fan Feedback And Criticisms

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AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes has addressed the feedback and criticism the promotion has received from its fans.

He confessed to TVInsider how he has always been open to feedback and has actively sought it out in the past:

“I wanted to hear what they liked, what they didn’t, what worked and what they thought didn’t work and why. I still very much stand by that.”

Cody explained how a “background noise” exists on certain social media platforms before admitting to a personal managerial mistake he’s working on remedying.

“One of the mistakes I made in management early on is I talked a lot. I talked a lot in terms of the product will be this. This is how the product will be presented. I was basically trying to frame up what our goals were for the company. But when you talk so much, the show almost draws the ire of many fans.”

Cody On AEW’s Social Media Reports

According to Cody, AEW has a full data report of social mentions provided after every show. He claimed how this report helps them to discover “credible thoughts” shared by fans worldwide.

However, this report also allows them to “[…] see the hurt WWE fan that is pretty much going to say what they want to try and draw attention. A lot of times we have given them attention. We’re learning slowly and surely that Twitter is really aging out in terms of its value and what it can offer. That’s what I learned in year one. Talk less as a member of management and show more.”

Cody Rhodes is set to defend his AEW TNT Championship against Best Friends’ Orange Cassidy on tonight’s Dynamite Anniversary Show.

Heath Opens Up About His Issues With His WWE Run

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Impact Wrestling star Heath has reflected on his time in WWE, believing his former employer “never really wanted me to get over as much as I could.”

Heath joined Sitting Ringside for an interview where he detailed his issues with WWE. He believes WWE took issue with him for pitching ideas whenever he could earn some momentum with fans.

“They would work and then they would switch it. Then they end the story and put me on ice and you would not see me for a year and a half,” Heath explained. “If you do, it’s me putting over this guy. Once that happens to you four or five times, you get frustrated.”

Heath continued, “Then you start asking questions and they say you are asking too many questions and you’re being a bother. What can I do? There is no communication between the lines. You are paying me. You have a guy that wants to work and wants to do things but you can’t get anywhere. It’s like tires spinning.”

Heath was let go by WWE earlier this year as a cost-cutting measure by the promotion in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Since leaving the company and joining Impact Wrestling, he has claimed several WWE Superstars have contacted him expressing their interest in making the jump between promotions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M5HBnEepGY

Steve Cutler On The Status Of The Forgotten Sons

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Forgotten Sons member Steve Cutler has addressed the current status of the SmackDown faction during a recent appearance on the Borne the Battle podcast.

Cutler confessed how, at this time, it’s a waiting game. He noted that a potential return will eventually happen, explaining that their time is “coming.”

“Couldn’t tell you and I wouldn’t tell you either way. Just one of those things where it’s we’re being patient and doing what we can and waiting for our spot and waiting for our time and it’s coming, don’t worry. It’s coming.”

Cutler explained how they have had better communication with WWE’s SmackDown creative team as opposed to their time on NXT. He noted how the scripts they’ve been given on SmackDown contain more accurate verbiage they would use in real life. However, there is still plenty of back and forth between themselves and creative.

“[…] it’s just one of those things where you’re working back and forth and it’s like no problem. But, they kinda got the gist of us, I feel main roster on SmackDown, creative had more of an understanding of what to do with us than NXT because it’s just a — both NXT, SmackDown and RAW are all different. NXT is more wrestling based and kind of getting a character out there, but more or less everything is based on wrestling where RAW and SmackDown is the entertainment part of WWE.”

The Forgotten Sons debuted on SmackDown following WrestleMania 36. However, they were shortly removed from on-screen programming following statements stable member Jaxson Ryker made on social media.

Cody Rhodes Believes ‘Authenticity’ Helps Elevate AEW

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Current AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes has stressed how AEW’s “authenticity” helps elevate it from other promotions.

Cody shared his thoughts whilst appearing on The Rich Eisen Show. He joined the show ahead of his TNT Championship defense on tonight’s Dynamite Anniversary Show.

He noted how “When I get around marketing guys or new wrestling fans, who want to know what makes us different, authenticity is always the No. 1 thing I say.”

Cody pointed to the past to strengthen his argument. He highlighted names like his father, Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Cody stated that the connection between these wrestlers and their fans helped them stand out and succeed.

“Back in the 70s and 80s, when wrestling fans were rabid for the sport, everyone thinks it is because they thought it was real. However, I disagree with that notion. Dusty, Hogan, and Flair succeeded because of the connection fans made to their characters.”

Cody explained how the only way to achieve this genuine connection is by being truly “[…] authentic in your interview, your ring work, and everything else.” He is confident that this commitment to authenticity is what helps AEW separate itself from its competition.

Cody Rhodes is set to defend his AEW TNT Championship against Best Friends’ Orange Cassidy on tonight’s Dynamite Anniversary Show.

Aleister Black Wants to Work With Roman Reigns

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Recently drafted SmackDown Superstar Aleister Black has praised the blue brand’s Universal Champion Roman Reigns. According to Black, Reigns is currently delivering the “best work he’s ever done.”

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Black noted how the partnership between Reigns and Paul Heyman has been presented in “super organic” way since the two began working together. Black stressed how The Tribal Chief gimmick is so natural to Reigns, he doesn’t believe he’s even playing a character.

“For Roman, I feel like this is the best work he’s ever done. Roman is in that super rare spot where he is so comfortable in the role that his confidence is Level 1000,” Black explained. “Everything is presented in a way that is super organic, it makes you think he’s not even playing a character. To be honest, I don’t think he is playing a character. I think this is playing to every strength of Roman Reigns, of which there are a lot.”

Now that Black is also on the blue brand with a new theme and attitude, he confessed he would love to feud with Reigns in the future. It’s something he’s apparently already spoken to Heyman about.

“I’d love to be entangled with Roman and Paul, and I’ve spoken with Paul [Heyman] about this before. There are a lot of things that move the different pieces on that chessboard, getting me to checkmates, and that’s one of them.”

Aleister Black was recently moved to SmackDown following the WWE Draft.

Update On Plans For Andrade & Mickie James Following WWE Draft

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Several talents were left undrafted after the 2020 Draft concluded with this week’s episode of Raw and after WWE announced some more draft picks during the night, there are two talents which have been left without a brand.

Pwinsider recently provided some updates on the future of both these stars in Mickie James and Andrade. According to their report, the plan as of this past Monday night was for both Andrade and Mickie James to join the Raw roster:

“As of last night, the plan is for the Andrade and Mickie James, the two talents left undrafted following the 2020 Draft to land on the Monday Night Raw roster.”

There has also been some buzz of Andrade moving back to the NXT brand.

Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer believes that Vince McMahon never “got it” with Andrade. When Paul Heyman was removed as the Executive Director of WWE Raw earlier this year, Andrade lost a key ally.

The 2020 edition of WWE Draft saw a number of big stars changing brands including names like Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, and the Fiend being moved to different rosters. You can check out the updated rosters of Raw and SmackDown after both nights of Draft at this link.

Results: NJPW G1 Climax 30 Day 16

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New Japan Pro-Wrestling thirtieth annual G1 Climax tournament has arrived!

Watch on NJPW World with a paid subscription. Only live Japanese commentary available. English commentary will be uploaded within several days. This event will have reduced attendance capacity to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

Start Times:

  • Pacific: 10/14 2:30AM
  • Eastern: 10/14 5:30AM
  • UK: 10/14 10:30AM
  • Japan: 10/14 6:30PM
  • East Australia: 10/14 8:30PM

NJPW World Video (Japanese Commentary)

G1 Climax 30 Day 16 Results

Yota Tsuji def. Yuya Uemura (7:56)
Once more, the classic and always compelling dynamic of technique versus power was on display between Uemura and Tsuji. Uemura took advantage early with a keylock to weaken Tsuji’s arms in preparation for his “deadbolt” double arm suplex. Tsuji showed that he’s not all brute force as well, when he rolled through Uemura’s hold to get on top and apply a single leg Boston crab. Uemura was able to break the hold, but Tsuji landed a spear followed by a giant swing, then the Boston crab for the submission victory.

B Block: KENTA def. YOSHI-HASHI
Soon into the match, KENTA left the ring and started playing with the staff that YOSHI-HASHI carries to the ring. Perturbed by this, YOSHI-HASHI would follow him to the outside, but be thrown head-first into the ring post. From there, KENTA went about systematically dismantling YOSHI’s left arm. YOSHI’s comebacks were short-lived, and KENTA hit a diving foot stomp and went for the Go 2 Sleep. YOSHI-HASHI managed to avoid it and hit a spin kick to grant himself some reprieve. He hit a running powerbomb and tried to apply the Butterfly Lock even with one bad arm. KENTA did not tap, and YOSHI broke the hold to hit a running double knee attack, but KENTA got out of the way and punished YOSHI-HASHI with heavy kicks. He attempted the Go 2 Sleep again but YOSHI would reverse it into a DDT to the crowd’s pleasure. He hit the Kumagoroshi for a near fall and went for Karma, but KENTA avoided it and applied the Game Over facelock. YOSHI-HASHI nearly earned a rope break, but KENTA rolled him back into the center of the ring and YOSHI-HASHI submitted.
KENTA goes to 8 points

B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. def. Juice Robinson
To the surprise of likely everyone, the match began with Juice Robinson grinding Zack Sabre Jr. down on the mat, using his weight advantage to keep the spindly submission artist beneath him. All the skill and leverage in the world won’t help if you can’t move. Eventually, Juice stood up and started trying to lift Zack for power moves, at which point Zack was able to mount a comeback, targeting Juice’s left arm to weaken the left handed punch that often signals the end for his opponent. Juice still had one good arm and was able to put up a fight, but Zack would repeatedly interrupt his comebacks with guillotine chokes and bodyscissors attacks. He kept going back to the left arm, and when Juice tried to powerbomb him out of an armbar, he needed two tries to do so. Juice hit a big right-handed punch and went for the Pulp Friction, but Zack dropped out of it and rolled him into the European Clutch for the three-count.
Zack Sabre Jr. goes to 10 points

B Block: Tetsuya Naito def. Toru Yano (8:04)
Tetsuya Naito was walking especially slowly to the ring as he entered, which made Yano get restless. Of course, when the bell rang, Yano was not actually interested in wrestling Naito, and spent a long time going in and out of the ring to delay the inevitable. Soon, though, he had pushed both Yota Tsuji at ringside and Tetsuya Naito down and taped their wrists together between the guardrail, but they were able to make it back in the ring before before Naito was counted out. Naito offered Tsuji a fist bump after they had delivered a double clothesline to Yano and freed themselves from the tape. Tsuji was going to accept it, but it was just a fake out; Naito kicked Tsuji and body-slammed him on top of Yano. Yano hit a sneak low blow on Naito and tried to roll him up, but Naito kicked out. Naito retaliated with a pop-up kick to the groin and a jackknife pin to defeat the Sublime Master Thief.
Tetsuya Naito goes to 12 points

B Block: EVIL def. Hirooki Goto (15:33)
With Naito now at 12 points, Goto is ostensibly out of the running, while EVIL has the best chances of defeating him since he has the tiebreaker victory. If Goto does win, it will be a matter of honor and sportsmanship conquering… evil. With the aid of Dick Togo at ringside, EVIL dominated Goto in the early stages of the match. Goto fired back up to lift the running EVIL and hit the Ushigoroshi, but Togo’s distraction enabled EVIL to stop Goto as he climbed to the top rope to capitalize on his first bit of momentum. EVIL hit a heavy lariat followed by Darkness Falls only for Goto to kick out, and attempted the EVIL STO, but EVIL avoided it. He forced EVIL out of the ring and hit a plancha on both EVIL and Togo! Goto hit a headbutt and a reverse GTR on EVIL for a near fall. He tried for the regular GTR, but EVIL dodged it. He attempted a discus lariat and EVIL caught his shoulder to transition into the STO finish. The G in G1 does not stand for Goto this year.
EVIL goes to 12 points

B Block: SANADA def. Hiroshi Tanahashi (28:25)
Matches between Hiroshi Tanahashi and SANADA are always interesting because a trained eye can spot all the ways that they wrestle like each other. Being both proteges of Keiji Mutoh, their offense, largely based on attacking the neck and knees to make them more susceptible to both submissions and bursts of high-speed offense. Tanahashi exemplified this, as he caught SANADA with his first dragonscrew, sending him reeling to the outside, and then landed on him with a High Fly Flow crossbody. He brought SANADA back and continued attacking his legs with Dragonscrews, but SANADA was able to make it to the ropes to break Tanahashi’s Texas Cloverleaf. SANADA was able to make it to his feet and fight back with a rope-hung Magic Screw and a springboard dropkick. SANADA went for the top rope moonsault, and he could see that Tanahashi had moved while he was in flight. When he landed on his feet, he felt it in his knees, and his stumble allowed Tanahashi to hit a Sling Blade. He followed up with a bridging full nelson suplex for a near fall, and looked to capitalize with the High Fly Flow. SANADA lifted his knees to block the move, but it hurt him just as much as Tanahashi. He managed to trap Tanahashi in the Skull End and soon went for the top rope moonsault again, but Tanahashi got his knees up! Feeling the pressure, SANADA tried for a hurricanrana, but Tanahashi caught his legs in midair and twisted SANADA into the Texas cloverleaf again! SANADA scratched and clawed and made it to the ropes. Tanahashi hit another Sling Blade and tried for the High Fly Flow, but SANADA hit him with a cutter in midair! With two top rope moonsaults, he stays in G1 contention.
SANADA goes to 10 points

G1 Climax 30 Standings

A Block:
12 points – Kota Ibushi, Jay White, Kazuchika Okada
10 points – Will Ospreay
8 points – Jeff Cobb, Taichi
6 points – Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi
0 points – Yujiro Takahashi

B Block:
12 points – Tetsuya Naito, EVIL
10 points – SANADA, Zack Sabre Jr.
8 points – Hirooki Goto, KENTA
6 points – Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Juice Robinson
2 points – YOSHI-HASHI

WWE RAW Viewership Increases For Draft Night Two (10/12)

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Monday’s edition of WWE RAW averaged 1.855 million viewers with a 0.57 rating in the key 18-49 demographic. This was up from last week, which did 1.686 million viewers and 0.52 demo rating. 

To compare, just one year ago, RAW averaged 2.279 million viewers. This marked the second night of this year’s Draft. 

WWE had to deal with just one NFL game that aired on ESPN, which was between the Saints and Chargers that had 10.654 million viewers. Last week’s show faced two NFL games. 

Here’s the hourly viewership breakdown for Raw, courtesy of Showbuzzdaily.com:

  • Hour 1: 2.006 million, 0.60 in the 18-49 Demo
  • Hour 2: 1.884 million, 0.59 in the 18-49 Demo
  • Hour 3: 1.676 million, 0.52 in the 18-49 Demo

SmackDown Viewership

Friday’s SmackDown averaged 2.178 million viewers on FOX. This is up from the 2.155million viewers that the show did for the previous week.

SmackDown averaged 2.087 million viewers in the fast nationals, which was up from the 2.042 million viewers a week ago. This number measured the top metered markets. 

The first hour drew 2.156 million viewers while the second hour did 2.017 million viewers. For comparison, the first show of last week’s show did 2.105 million viewers while the second hour did 1.980 million viewers. 

SmackDown pulled in a 0.60 rating in the 18-49 demos, the same from 0.50 rating as last week’s show.

Cody Talks About AEW Possibly Working With Other Promotions

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This Wednesday night, All Elite Wrestling celebrates the 1-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite. TNT Champion Cody spoke with USA Today to discuss his biggest regret from the first year, AEW dealing with the the COVID-19 pandemic, how he’s approaching the next 12 months and much more.

Updated Preview For AEW’s Dynamite Anniversary Show

AEW has spent the past year establishing their identity and building a core audience. During that time, we’ve also seen some crossovers with other promotions.

AEW World Champion also holds the IWGP United States Champion for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. AEW Executive VP Kenny Omega is the reigning AAA Mega Champion. NWA Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa has been a regular on recent AEW programming. Last week’s Dynamite even saw a cameo from the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Fans are naturally interested in the prospect of AEW collaborating with other promotions. Cody says he doubts we’ll ever see a big pay-per-view event co-promoted by AEW and another company. However, we could see relationships established which could result in talent exchanges.

“I think you’ll never see a full-scale, joint-promoted show,” Cody said. “We have too much pride in our individual brand. But in terms of the relationships, we’re never closing the doors and we’re never going to pull up the bridges.

Visit USA Today to read their full interview with Cody.

Alberto Del Rio’s Trial Date Set

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Alberto Del Rio is set to go to trial early next year on charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. He was arrested in May after a woman came forward and stated she had been held captive by Del Rio for a period of several hours.

According to a recent report from PW Insider, Del Rio has received a trial date of January 25th, 2021. The trial will be held in San Antonio, Texas.

His accuser is alleging that Del Rio sexual assaulted her and physically beat her during the kidnapping as well. If convicted, Del Rio is looking at a possible lengthy prison sentence.

How Much Possible Prison Time Is Alberto Del Rio Facing

Aggravated kidnapping in Texas carries a sentence of 5 to 99 years in prison. Del Rio is also looking at a possible fine of up to $10,000.

“A conviction for aggravated kidnapping is generally punishable as a felony of the first degree, which can result in a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000,” the law firm of Dunham and Jones’ website states.

If a defendant can prove they dropped the victim off at a safe location, however, the charge would be reduced to 2nd degree kidnapping. This crime carries a possible penalty of 2 to 20 years in prison.

The penalty for sexual assault in Texas is also 2-20 years and a $10,000 fine.

Cody Promises To “Talk Less” During 2nd Year Of Dynamite

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AEW Dynamite is 1-year old. One thing Cody Rhodes promises will be different about the 2nd year of Dynamite is that he’s going to talk less. He spoke to USA Today recently about this and other topics.

“As an executive, in the first year I spoke way too much,” Cody said. He would contiue to say that he tried to give AEW an identity in the media.

“I wanted to really promote the brand, I wanted to pound the pavement, but in speaking I kind of confined our product. I tried to give an identity to a product (when the) identity is evolving, its identity is growing,” Cody continued.

Cody Rhodes On AEW’s Identity Evolving 

He would continue to say that AEW will have a different identity over the next year.

“AEW is going to have a different identity in Year One than it has in Year Two, and we want that identity and that flavor profile to improve. But to say it’s one thing would be incorrect because wrestling is something that there’s no one specific way to do it right. There’s many different ways to do it right.”

Cody then talked about some of what he said being taken out of context. These comments then seemed to drive tension between AEW and WWE fans.

“I spoke too much as an executive in my efforts to promote the brand and a lot of this kind of click-bait journalism (followed) in areas where what I said was taken out of context and might have rubbed people the wrong way or might have created more tension between an NXT fan and an AEW fan. A little less talk from me, a little more action, is one of my goals (going forward).”

The full interview can be read here.

‘The Multiverse of Matt Hardy’ Web Series Premieres

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Matt Hardy has launched a new web series. The first episode of “The Multiverse of Matt Hardy” released on his official YouTube channel yesterday.

“In his brand new web series, Matt Hardy attempts to learn how to balance his normal, everyday life with all of the multiple identities inside of him,” reads a description of the show.

Hardy released a teaser for the web series on Twitter recently.

The Multiverse of Matt Hardy

The 6-minute video focusses on Hardy’s life at the Hardy Family Compound in North Carolina. He wrestles his kids and even teaches them some promo skills as well. Hardy goes through several of his personas throughout the video.

Injuries From Sammy Guevara Feud

Hardy has yet to wrestle since his match against Sammy Guevara at All Out 2020. That match was briefly stopped shortly after Hardy appeared to be knocked out after falling off a lift through a table.

Hardy was also injured via chairshot from Guevara leading up to the PPV match.

“I was really lucky I wasn’t concussed badly,” Hardy admitted about the chairshot. “I was able to hit the chair a little bit and slowed it down. If I wasn’t able to slow it down, I’m sure it would have knocked me completely unconscious. But even knocking it down and slowing it down, it still split me open.”

Joey Ryan Suing Impact Wrestling For $10 Million

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Joey Ryan was part of a short-lived faction called “Cancel Culture” in Impact Wrestling. Not long after the faction started, Ryan was the subject of a series of allegations as part of the #SpeakingOut movement online.

Ryan has since reportedly filed lawsuits against some of his accusers. According to a report from Pwinsider, Ryan has also filed a lawsuit against Impact Wrestling as well.

Ryan is stating that Impact failed to live up to their side of the contract which committed to him until 2021. He seeking $10 million. The lawsuit was filed last month in Nashville.

Ryan alluded to possibly taking legal action against his former employer in a YouTube video released in July.

Contract Dispute

In Ryan’s lawsuit, part of his Impact contract is attached. Sections of his contract note possible reasons he could be released from the company. Below are some reasons Ryan could be released from Impact according to documents obtained by PW Insider:

“(g) Wrestler commits any act with Promoter believes, in its reasonable business judgment, would damage Wrestler’s or Promoter’s reputation.”

“(h) Wrestler commits any act (other than in character in accordance with direction provided to Wrestler by Promoter’s Creative team) which places or could place Wrestler or Promoter (or any of its affiliates) in a patently negative light; or

(i) Any instance of a violation for which Wrestler has already received a warning, reprimand or notification therof, provided, however, that in the case of a breach under paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g),or (h), Promoter shall provide Wrestler with written notice of breach and a 5 day cure period.” 

Section (i) seems to imply Impact needed to give him written notice and time to defend himself if they felt he breached sections (G) or (H). Ryan also noted in a YouTube video this July that he didn’t feel the company could fire him for allegations that allegedly took place before he signed with the company as well.

Denying Allegations

Ryan has also denied that he is guilty of any of the allegations against him. He had the following to say on the video he released in July:

“I have never had sex with a woman without her consent. I have never acted criminally towards a woman and I have never acted criminally with sex. And unlike these allegations, I have actual evidence that can show you that,” Ryan said. 

The lawsuit was filed in Nashville on September 15th and Impact was served on September 24th.

WWE Files to Trademark Livewire, Main Event & More

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WWE filed to trademark a few new terms last week on October 8th. Among them are WWE Livewire, WWE Main Event and The Game.

WWF Livewire was a live call-in show on the USA Network that ran from 1996 through 2001. WWE.com has dubbed it “the most uncensored show in WWE history.”

Live featured a rotating cast of hosts and guest appearances from the likes of Todd Pettingill, Sunny, Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, Vince Russo, Dok Hendrix (Michael Hayes) and Michael Cole.

The lengthy description of how WWE would use the phrase includes, “Entertainment services, namely, a show about professional wrestling; entertainment services, namely, the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered live and through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media.”

The filing may be in advance of WWE adding Livewire to the WWE Network.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q3sItE8xVo

The application for ‘WWE Main Event’ has the same usage description as Livewire. Main Event is WWE’s weekly one-hour show that features primarily lower and mid-card talent. It has been airing across various platforms (television and digital) since 2012.

WWE’s application for ‘The Game’ lists a long list of goods and services related to paper goods, including “Cardboard and paper hangtags; packaging, namely blister cards; paper for wrapping and packaging; collector albums for sticker collectables; stickers; sticker albums; collectable photos; photo albums; photographs; framed pictures; labels, namely printed paper labels; folders; paper place mats, paper table mats, paper napkins; paper tablecloths; paper table linens” and dozens of other similar products.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tolkfJF6qso

Former NXT Star Confirms Signing With AEW

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Former NXT and Impact Wrestling star Ivelisse has made several sporadic appearances for AEW in recent times and now she has officially confirmed her signing with the promotion.

The female star recently had a virtual Q&A session with Pro Wrestling Junkies where she talked about things like rumours of having a backstage altercation with Thuder Rosa and more.

When a fan asked her about her status with AEW, Ivelisse confirmed for the first time that she has signed with the promotion and explained that it was a very emotional moment for her:

“Actually, since you asked – I haven’t been able to officially confirm anywhere yet, but I can confirm right now– and I asked if it was okay – that I am indeed signed to AEW,

Honestly, when that moment came, it was very emotional for me.” said Ivelisse, “Through the last couple of years have been really tough for me for so many reasons. Number one, the Lucha Underground thing and being kept through our contracts and all of that.”

The former WWE star also talked about her experience at All Elite Wrestling being much better than the ‘traumatizing experience’ she has had while dealing with past promotions.

She admitted that she struggled with anxiety while competing at Lucha Underground and Ivelisse claimed that she was in complete awe of how much better her experience was at AEW.

Shawn Michaels vs. Eddie Guerrero WrestleMania Dream Match Was Discussed

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Bruce Prichard was part of the backstage WWE crew for over two decades and he was involved in the planning of many big angles and matches that took place over the years of his employment.

On the latest episode of his Something To Wrestle With podcast, Prichard revealed one such WrestleMania match they had planned involving the late great Eddie Guerrero which couldn’t take place.

Prichard revealed that the idea of a dream match between Guerrero and the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels was being kicked around for WrestleMania 22:

“It was kicked around as a possibility because they never worked together, and that was, at least in my head, a dream match,” said Prichard. “That was one of those that I definitely would love to have seen.”

However, the talks of a match between the two legends never came to fruition because Eddie Guerrero, unfortunately, passed away due to heart failure in November 2005, six months prior to the big event.

The changed direction for Shawn Michaels then saw the former DX member competing against the WWE chairman Vince McMahon in a No Holds Barred match at the show. Michaels won this bout after delivering a diving elbow drop from the top of a ladder to McMahon, followed by the Sweet Chin Music.

Details On WWE’s Planned Feud For Lars Sullivan

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Lars Sullivan returned to WWE Friday night on Smackdown. He also appeared on RAW last night and attacked the Miz and John Morrison. Sullivan will face Jeff Hardy in singles action on this coming edition of Smackdown as well.

According to comments made on Wrestling Observer Radio, there is a planned direction for Sullivan. Whether the company sticks to this direction or not might be another story but the plan is for Sullivan to eventually feud with Braun Strowman.

“Well, you knew that Lars Sullivan’s feud is not going to be with Miz and Morrison, they’re just there to get destroyed,” said Dave Meltzer.

“It’s Strowman in a year but not yet, they are on a different sides,” Meltzer continued to say about where Lars is going.

“There is, Braun Strowman in a year,” Meltzer then responded when Bryan Alvarez sounded skeptical that there is a plan. “I already know that.”

Alvarez then offered to bet Meltzer $50 on whether or not the feud actually happens. Currently, Strowman and Sullivan are on separate brands.

“There is a direction, there is always a direction. It’s just Vince wakes up and changes the direction, you know how that goes,” Meltzer continued.

Tama Tonga Reveals He Learnt About Harold Meij Leaving NJPW Online

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New Japan Pro Wrestling star Tama Tonga recently discussed Harold Meij leaving the company. Harold Meij was previously New Japan’s President before stepping down from his position over the next month. Meij had been in the role since May of 2018.

There’s been some controversy regarding Meij and the former members of the Elite group, who ventured out to create the All Elite Wrestling brand in the States.

Tony Khan recently spoke to Dave Meltzer for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and said he thinks Meij’s departure could be a positive development towards a working relationship between AEW and New Japan. “I’m not sure yet,” was Tony Khan’s reaction to the Wrestling Observer. “But my initial gut feeling is it could be good.”

Tama Tonga on Harold Meij

Tama Tonga would admit on his Tama’s Island podcast that he didn’t know about the departure until he read it online. “I haven’t heard much, I’ve just been keeping up with the news [online]. Whenever they’ve been putting up on the news site, on the website for New Japan. I’ve been really trying to keep up with them but other than that it’s just [nothing]…you know?”

Tonga then praised Meij after stating that it’s just another departure in a long line of NJPW Presidents. “Since my time in New Japan? I’ve gone through so many presidents, you know? The changes happen and we keep moving forward. But Meij has been great with us, great president, great to deal with and work with. And all that but best of luck to whatever he’s got going on next.”

Tama Tonga