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Dark Side of the Ring Season Three: 14 Episodes Coming in 2021

Michael Reichlin
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Vice TV’s hit series Dark Side of the Ring has ben officially renewed for a third season. According to The Wrap, season three will feature 14-episodes and premieres in 2021.

Jason Eisner, Vice TV’s Executive VP and General Manager tells The Wrap that Dark Side is a ‘knockout show’ for the channel. He touted series Executive Producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener as “true heavyweight champions of the world.”

Eisner continued, “Seasons 1 and 2 of ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ are examples of the compelling, thought-provoking, and engaging storytelling we champion here at Vice TV. We can’t wait to see what the series will throw down in the third round!”

Eric Bischoff recently announced that he was interviewed for two episodes of Dark Side of the Ring season three. The subject matters he was interviewed for include Brian Pillman and WCW’s Collision in Korea pay-per-view (1995).

Evan Husney and Jason Eisner both commented on the renewal on social media.

Awesome Kong Releases Statement Critical Of GLOW’s Use Of Racial Stereotypes

Chris Stephens
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Kia Stevens, aka Awesome Kong, plays the role of Tammé Dawson on the Netflix series GLOW. The show was canceled due to the pandemic but efforts are underway to possibly end the series with a movie.

According to a recent Instagram post by Stevens, the show does not have any writers who are persons of color. She also stated the show has been irresponsible with how they have portrayed storylines related to racial stereotypes.

“It has been problematic to use our faces, oftentimes solely in the context of a racist storyline, and to be brief with our story development to serve the in-depth white storylines,” she wrote.

Stevens continued to mention that there are no persons of color on the show’s writing team.

“With zero persons of color in the writer’s room this season, it’s a huge oversight to be writing our narratives without anyone else to represent us besides ourselves,” she continued.

She also pointed out that a central theme of the show is performers from the original GLOW dealing with portraying characters who are racial stereotypes. She noted that the same thing is happening again with actors on the Netflix series.

Kia Stevens Statement On GLOW

“The meta-narrative of our show — actors dealing with the conflict of perpetuating stereotypes in order to have opportunity — is exactly what is happening in our real life.”

“We can no longer be quiet about the pain this has caused and the harm it has done in perpetuating the representation of people of color as sidekicks to elevate white leads.”

Stevens concludes her statement with a call for showrunners to hire an executive producer who is a person of color. They also would like the show to address how portraying racial stereotypes has impacted the performers and amplify their voices and characters in Season 4.

Stevens’ comments seem to imply some version of the show will be returning for a new season or a movie. This cannot be confirmed, however. It was also revealed recently that Taya Valkyrie was cast in season 4. At least one episode had been filmed before the pandemic shut down production. The series was always scheduled to end following the 4th season as well.

Kong returned to the wrestling world last year with AEW. She was briefly a member of Brandi Rhodes’ Nightmare family before the angle was scrapped.

Kong’s full Instagram post is below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiD0sipqUy/?igshid=4c0d1kabaz8x

Lillian Garcia’s “Chasing Glory” Podcast Coming To The WWE Network

Chris Stephens
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WWE and Lillian Garcia have announced that the longtime ring announcer’s podcast “Chasing Glory” is headed to the WWE Network. The show will be available on the free version of WWE’s streaming service. Garcia’s podcast heading to the WWE Network is just the latest in a series of shows that are doing the same.

“I’m proud to announce that my show, ‘Chasing Glory’ will now appear on the WWE NETWORK!!! That’s right! You will now be able to see it on the FREE side of the Network beginning Monday, October 26!!”

Garcia commented on her decision to start the show in 2016 after leaving WWE.

“Since departing the WWE in 2016, I reflected on what would be next, and it didn’t take long to know the next chapter would be to create positive impact in the world! That is exactly what has happened with “Chasing Glory” as the very real stories of my WWE colleagues, athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs have impacted millions around the world! On the show, they have had the freedom to express who they are, feel connected to one another, and leave the listeners empowered.”

WWE Network To Feature Several New Podcasts & Shows

In addition to Lillian Garcia’s podcast headed to the WWE Network, so too will the “Swerve City” podcast by Isiah “Swerve” Scott. he noted the show will have a bigger budget as well.

https://twitter.com/swerveconfident/status/1317150885189910529

Sam Roberts is also set to host a new show on the WWE Network. This will not be a different version of his podcast but an entirely different show, however. His new show will premiere Thursday morning.

All 3 podcasts are currently hosted in video form on YouTube and on various podcast platforms. They will be available in video once debuting on the WWE Network as well.

A new episode of Steve Austin’s “Broken Skull Sessions” will also premiere next month. The Undertaker will return to Austin’s show as part of the “30 Days of the Deadman” series announced recently.

Garcia released the below teaser video for her show:

More Details On Ben Carter Signing With WWE

Chris Stephens
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It is currently being reported that Ben Carter has signed or is expected to sign with WWE shortly. No official announcement has been made, however. According to recent comments on Wrestling Observer Radio, Carter’s decision had much to do with current international travel restrictions.

Due to Carter living in the UK and current travel restrictions, he would not be able to travel to independent shows as much as he would have been able to before COVID-19. Not being able to work the independent shows reportedly made his decision to sign with WWE easier.

“He’s already really good but he could get a lot better by wrestling a few more years in the indies,” said Dave Meltzer.

It is being speculated that Carter will be part of the NXT UK brand.

Carter broke out last month in matches on AEW Dark and the Late Night Dynamite special. Both AEW and WWE are said to have had interest in him although it is not clear if AEW offered him a contract as well.

News that Carter was likely headed to WWE was first revealed by Miro on a video game stream.

“We lost Ben Carter. Ben Carter is lost. He’s gone to the dark side,” said Miro. “I mean, good luck to Carter. All the best to him. I was really impressed with his stuff.”

Tino Sabbatelli Returns To NXT After Allegations Of Leaking AEW News

Chris Stephens
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Tino Sabbatelli is once again signed to a WWE contract. According to a report from PW Insider, the 37-year-old from Orlando re-signed with the company last week. The report also states that Ace Steel has been re-hired in a coaching role at the PC as well.

According to a report from Fightful, there are those in AEW who believe Sabbatelli was responsible for leaking news from AEW tapings. It is not clear if he did or not, however.

Shortly after Eric Bischoff’s appearance on an episode of AEW Dynamite was leaked before airing, accusations were made that it was leaked by an “NXT reject” who was at the tapings. Chris Jericho stated as much on an episode of his Saturday night live stream.

“For example, when we had the debate and Eric Bischoff, and it was announced on Reddit. We know who the spy is by the way, oh we know, and he’ll never be back in f*ckin AEW. NXT reject was the spy, so print that!” Jericho said.

Sabbatelli wrestled on an episode of AEW Dark this summer after having been released from his NXT contract this spring. He teamed with Brady Pierce in a losing effort to The Best Friends.

Colt Cabana: “I’m Not Really The Wrestler Who Thrives In Front of No fans, Maybe Jon Moxley and His Style Is”

Jake Skudder
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AEW star Colt Cabana recently discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the affect it is having on live pro wrestling. On the Art of Wrestling podcast, Cabana talked about how his style of performance is not attuned to a setting without live fans in the arena.

“I think my wrestling has taken a tad of a hit, you know?” Colt Cabana began on the podcast. “I was just starting to move forward. My last match was this really fun match, you could watch it on YouTube, it was myself and Peter Avalon in Utah.”

Colt Cabana on ‘No-crowd’ Wrestling

Cabana elaborated further, saying “I’d never been to Utah! The crowd for Utah in this match on [AEW] Dark was going crazy for me! I felt this real connection to the fans and something that I have lived off of for years is a true connection to the wrestling fan.”

Colt would then relay how it felt with the pandemic hitting and the lack of fans being available live in the arena. “I felt the momentum going, ahen we shut down and then when we wrestle? It’s in front of nobody, there are no fans.”

Cabana would finish by making some intriguing comments regarding AEW Champion Jon Moxley. Whilst in context it may be a complement to the Champion, there’s potentially scope to put Cabana in the title picture down the line?

“And I’m not really the wrestler who thrives in front of no fans. Maybe Jon Moxley and his style is. So it’s a perfect time for Jon Moxley to be the AEW champion. But for me? It put me on ice. It put me on ice big time. So if that’s the worst of my worries? It’s fine.”

Colt Cabana
Colt Cabana is All Elite

Bret Hart On Goldberg’s In-Ring Skills: ‘His Workrate Was 0/10’

Steve Russell
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Bret Hart recently opened up about the career-ending kick he received from Goldberg at Starrcade 1999. Hart spoke about the incident during a recent episode of his Confessions of the Hitman series, noting how, although he liked Goldberg as a person, his “workrate was 0/10.”

Hart explained how Goldberg “was a guy that nobody seemed to have taught how wrestling really works.” He argued how Goldberg’s approach revolved around picking up an opponent and slamming them down as hard as possible.

“His wrestling, his workrate was 0/10. Like, everything he did hurt – everything! He could tie up with you and hurt you. He’d tie up with himself and hurt himself!”

Turning his attention to the kick that would, unfortunately, end his career, Hart stressed how it was the work of “somebody who had absolutely no skill at all.”

Reflecting on the incident, Hart recalled how Goldberg simply threw him into the ropes and then “tried to kick my head off my shoulders.” As far as he’s concerned, there was no “working aspect” to the strike.

“There’s no way you can do it without hurting somebody, and the thing with Bill was that all the ‘I’m sorries’ in the world don’t mean anything when you hurt somebody for real.”

Bret Hart Explains “The Nature Of The Business”

Bret Hart then shared how he never received a call from Goldberg following the career-ending kick. He explained how Goldberg never reached out to ask how he’s doing or discuss the incident.

“[…] but he did say when I saw him about a year after I got hurt, in fact a few weeks before [WCW] terminated my contract, I remember he said to me, ‘it’s the nature of the business – we all know what can happen out there. It’s the nature of the business.'”

Hart took issue with Goldberg’s flippant approach, arguing how their incident wasn’t reflective of the business at all. He stressed how the nature of the business is to not hurt the guy you’re working with.

Fans interested in Confessions of the Hitman can subscribe to the series here.

Entire 1st Round Of AEW Tournament To Take Place On Dynamite This Week

Chris Stephens
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AEW recently announced a single-elimination tournament to determine a new #1 contender for the promotion’s world championship. AEW has confirmed that the entire 1st round of the tournament will take place on this week’s Dynamite.

Here are the 1st round matches that will take place on Dynamite this Wednesday night:

  • Penta El Zero M vs Rey Fenix
  • Colt Cabana vs Adam “Hangman” Page
  • Kenny Omega vs Joey Janela
  • Wardlow vs Jungle Boy
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Additionally, the following has also been confirmed for this week’s Dynamite:

  • The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) vs. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) – winner receives a tag-team title shot.
  • Dr. Britt Baker DMD vs TBA
  • Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman have a steak dinner.

The finals of the AEW tournament will take place at Full Gear on November 7th, 2020. Former tag-team champions Kenny Omega and Adam “Hangman” Page are on opposite sides of the bracket. If they were to face each other in the tournament, it would not take place until the finals.

AEW’s is advertising a season’s pass for upcoming shows at Daily’s Place:

Bayley On PWI Women’s Top 100, Embracing The Dark Side

Steve Russell
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WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley has shared her feelings on being ranked #1 on the PWI Women’s Top 100 list. She broached the subject while appearing on an episode of the PWI Podcast.

When asked if she believes PWI was right in making her #1, Bayley stated, “Hell yea. I think it’s obvious that I made a major change late last year.”

She explained how it felt that everybody thought her heel turn was doomed to fail. Bayley highlighted how people maybe thought the wrong decision had been made and she “couldn’t pull it off.”

As far as Bayley’s concerned, she’s “proved everyone wrong, especially with the craziness of what has been going on with the pandemic and not being able to perform in front of fans, which makes everything harder. But, I was still able to pull it off and use it to my advantage.”

Bayley On How Doubters Helped Fuel Her Motivation

Bayley also spoke about how everyone second-guessed turning her heel. She stressed how the uncertainty stemmed from her long-term run as a babyface, highlighting how she had found so much success with that character over 7 years. Despite this success, she knew it wasn’t something she wanted to do forever.

“I want to experience everything in my career. I want to ride the wave and do all sorts of things. I knew I couldn’t do it being that one character. Honestly, once I had the company’s blessing and Vince’s blessing, I knew I had to make it work. I had to make it work because it was my decision. If I failed then I failed myself and I failed the company.”

She shared how she used people’s doubts as fuel to prove them wrong. Bayley noted how this translated on-screen, explaining how she was committed to making the heel turn work for herself on a personal level.

By making it work and proving it to herself, it subsequently quietened the doubters and proved she could do it to those backstage, including Vince McMahon.

Lance Storm Isn’t A Fan Of Miro’s Character Direction in AEW

Steve Russell
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Former WWE Producer Lance Storm hasn’t been too impressed with how All Elite Wrestling has been utilizing one of its latest signings, Miro.

Storm shared his thoughts on AEW’s use of the former WWE Superstar during a recent appearance on the Figure Four Daily podcast. He revealed how he’s personally “not a fan” of Miro’s current character direction. Storm did, however, acknowledge how he’s not necessarily representative of AEW’s target audience.

He argued how, if AEW were able to put on shows with full arenas, fans “would get a far better feel on how the Miro presentation is working.” Storm explained how the lack of live fans means pro wrestling is missing a vital “barometer to which you gauge what was working.”

Real Life Interests Weakening On-Screen Characters

Lance Storm explained how he’s always been a fan of powerhouse wrestlers like Miro, juxtaposing his current gimmick with how Rusev was portrayed in WWE. To him, showcasing real life interests with onscreen characters can potentially weaken a wrestler’s gimmick.

“Tying him up in a wedding angle and playing video games, which may be who he really is, I’m not a big fan of. I think it’s very much like when they did the personality type profile thing with Finn Balor in NXT when they showed him playing with his Legos. I’m like, ok, he may really play with Legos, but the demon Finn Balor shouldn’t be playing with Legos. I thought he was a cool badass and now I think he is a guy that plays with Legos.”

Although he knows Miro has interests outside of pro wrestling, Storm would rather see them kept separate from his AEW character.

He explained how he’d much rather see a “big badass Miro” instead of the version “hanging out with Kip Sabian playing video games.”

Storm then stressed how he is aware he may not be the kind of viewer AEW is targetting. He acknowledged how he’s barely in the over 50+ demographic versus the younger demo that is so crucial to AEW’s ratings.

Booker T Explains Why He’s ‘Glad’ WWE Separated The New Day

Steve Russell
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WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the WWE Draft during a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast. He also explained why he’s “glad” Big E has been separated from his New Day stablemates.

Booker T noted how the recent WWE Draft was different from the drafts that took place when he was an active in-ring competitor. He stressed how the hype WWE attempted to create for the Draft was only “for the fans.’

“The draft to me, it’s just working for another show. It wasn’t about the hype. The hype was for the fans. […] I’m not trying to rag on these guys or anything these days, but the draft back in the day, there was a reason why we had to have a draft, and a SmackDown and a RAW. We had so much talent on the roster.”

Booker T was quick to add that today’s current roster is also filled with talented Superstars. However, according to him, there was a notable “abundance of talent” flooding WWE after WCW was purchased.

“[…] we literally had the best talent roster in the world at that time. We had an abundance of talent that could fuel two shows. It was totally different as far as how I looked at the draft back then compared to how I look at it now.”

Booker T On Big E Going Solo On SmackDown

Regarding the New Day, Booker T shared how separating the stable is in the best interest of Big E:

“This is the only way Big E can really run on his own. He could really put himself out there without having that umbrella of the New Day. You have to let it go and go out there and be Big E and create his own brand in order to fuel what he’s trying to do right now and that’s take it to the next level.”

He noted how Big E doesn’t have to “change anything” and uses this opportunity to “step up.”

Booker T then shared how he wished he could have the opportunity to coach Big E, sharing how:

“If I was to manage someone, it would be a guy like Big E because I really feel Big E could run through the whole territory if the stars were aligned right for him. I’m not saying I want to be a manager, but I feel if there is anyone I could manage and get some feelings out of the fans watching this would be a guy like Big E. Big E could really be the guy if he had the right expert tutelage.”

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were drafted to Raw following the WWE Draft. Big E, however, remained a SmackDown Superstar.

Sheamus Reflects On Jeff Hardy Feud, Possible Drew McIntyre Rivalry

Steve Russell
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Raw Superstar Sheamus has reflected on his recent SmackDown feud with Jeff Hardy during a recent interview with SI.com.

Sheamus revealed how his storyline with Hardy “hit so many raw nerves” before calling the personal story one of his all-time favorite feuds.

“That was very, very personal, and it’s one of my favorite feuds in my career. For me, the pandemic has really given me a chance to be who I really am. I’ve never been afraid of cutting to the bone and saying things that put people in an uproar. The match with Jeff at the end, the barroom, that brought out this new shady side of Sheamus.”

Now a member of WWE’s red brand, Sheamus turned his attention to Raw’s roster. In particular, he pointed to the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre. Regarding a potential match with the champion, Sheamus promised how, if it does happen, McIntyre will quickly remember “how hard I hit.”

Sheamus confessed he isn’t aware of Raw’s landscape since being drafted. However, he has heard rumblings about a feud between himself and McIntyre.

“If it does happen, I feel sorry for Drew. He’s going to remember very, very quickly how hard I hit. I’m worried I’ll hit him so hard that he’ll just turn to dust. He’s my friend, I don’t want to do that to him,” Sheamus said. “He’s been messing around with these American wrestlers for so long, tippy-tappying around the ring, but one shot from me will make him realize how easy he’s had it before I got there.”

Sheamus was recently drafted to Raw as part of the 2020 WWE Draft.

NJPW Power Struggle Card Announced For Nov. 7th

Evan S
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Following the ending of the G1 Climax 30 tournament yesterday, NJPW is moving forward with the Power Struggle tour. The live-streamed events for this tour on NJPW World will October 23, November 1, November 2, and the major event to end the tour on November 7th.

It was also announced that the Wrestle Kingdom 15 contract will allow its holder to challenge for both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at Wrestle Kingdom.

NJPW Power Struggle 2020 Card

New Japan has announced the full card for the upcoming Power Struggle event on November 7th. Six singles matches are signed:

  • King of Pro-Wrestling 2020 Championship: Toru Yano (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Great O-Khan
  • IWGP US Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Match: KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Wrestle Kingdom 15 Contract Match: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Jay White
  • IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championships Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL

Daniel Bryan Talks Wanting to Face “The Best” in WWE, Having Less Mobility

Jake Skudder
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WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan appeared on Talking Smack after this Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX. The ‘Yes’ man discussed a number of topics on the show, including his future as a Superstar on the blue brand.

“I am at a point now, in my life and career, where I want to test myself against the best performers in WWE,” Bryan stated. “Whether that’s against people I haven’t faced yet, and even people I have faced, since we’ve all evolved.”

Daniel Bryan would also admit on the show that he has lost a ‘spring’ in his step. Bryan has of course had multiple issues with his health in the past, including the head injury that forced him to retire back in 2016 before returning in 2018 at WrestleMania 34.

“I noticeably have lesser spring in my step as the match goes on, something I realized during my match against AJ Styles. I never had a problem with endurance before. [Although] I still don’t get tired but later in a match, I can’t jump as high anymore, and AJ still can.”

credit Talking Smack and a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

NJPW Confirms That Wrestle Kingdom 15 Will Be a Two Night Event

Jake Skudder
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New Japan Pro Wrestling confirmed at the G1 Climax final that next year’s Wrestle Kingdom will be a two night event.

This year’s event was the first time that the 2-night WK format was used. That was presumably due to the fact that January 4th (the traditional date for WK) was a Saturday and January 5th a Sunday. The 2021 shows do not fall on a weekend, so this announcement was somewhat unexpected.

New Japan managed to draw over 70,000 fans in the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 14 over the two nights earlier this year.

Kota Ibushi will once again be in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom, having won the G1 Climax tournament this weekend. His opponent will likely be IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito, however that is not yet confirmed.

Check out the full results from the G1 Climax finals here.

Wrestle Kingdom 14
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 from the Tokyo Dome (January 4th & 5th, 2020)

Cody Rhodes Touts AEW’s Success in The UK

Jake Skudder
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AEW EVP and Star Cody Rhodes recently tweeted an infographic with some of the company’s major stats in the United Kingdom.

All Elite Wrestling is currently broadcast on ITV4, a channel that is much more widely accessible on Freeview than WWE is on BT Sport (a paid channel). Cody wrote “this is some really positive/staggering data & research about our friends across the pond! @ITV / @AEW. Thanks to our incredible fans for such a successful first year of #AEWDynamite. We can’t wait to take the team over and wrestle there.”

Cody Rhodes on AEW’s UK Success

Here’s some of the bullet points from the infographic:

  •  AEW Dynamite is beating the first-run broadcast of all its competitors in the UK for audience volume
  • Dynamite’s audience is 5 times that of NXT, double that of SmackDown and almost double of RAW
  • It is also almost double the audience of Impact Wrestling; which had been airing in the same slot as Dynamite and also free-to-air channel.
  • Dynamite benefits from reaching considerably more people than any of its competitors.
  • Full episodes of Dynamite on ITV4 have reached 2.8m people, based on five plus consecutive minutes of viewing.

Jim Ross Talks Negotiations With Triple H As a Talent and COO

Jake Skudder
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WWE Hall of Famer and AEW Commentator Jim Ross recently discussed WWE RAW from 2005 on the Grilling JR podcast.

This week’s episode of the show was a watch-along of RAW from 10/10/05. That episode was eventful for JR as an on-screen character as he was ‘fired’ on television. As is usually the case, Jim Ross would discuss players and events from the timeframe, including former WWE COO Triple H.

Jim Ross on Triple H

“Triple H, he has a great heel too. Great deal, he was…he felt it. He lived it, You know?” Jim Ross began on the podcast. “He really was an extension of his own personality, or what he perceived his personality to be. He did a good job. I never had too many issues with him.”

JR would then add an interesting little tidbit into the conversation. The Man in The Black Hat would admit that he found negotiations with Triple H difficult once ‘The Game’ moved into a position higher than JR in the company.

“When he became an administrator? We didn’t have…we didn’t have a lot of successful negotiations. I was kind of always disappointed in that a little bit because I was…I always went to bat for him and got him the contract that he wanted.”

JR has mentioned in the past how he had to be the liaison between talent and management in the then WWF. JR was the Head of Talent Relations at the time Triple H was becoming a major player in the company (1999 onwards), and Jim Ross said that he helped get him a huge deal. “That was important to him, to have the same million dollar downside guarantee that all the other guys had.”

Not Reciprocating

Co-host of the podcast Conrad Thompson would then ask “are you saying that when those roles reversed and then he was sort of moving up the food chain, he wasn’t willing to reciprocate for you?”

JR then finished by admitting that he felt Triple H was just ‘following Vince McMahon’s lead.’ Alluding to how the industry had changed to a more corporate style in the years since JR stopped working in talent relations.

“Well, I’m just saying that…I think he just took Vince’s lead. ‘JR’s just an announcer.’ And then they found out over the years that to the audience [that wasn’t the case].”

Arn Anderson Says That FTR Could End Up The “Greatest Tag Team Ever”

Jake Skudder
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Former WWE Agent and AEW on-screen Coach Arn Anderson recently discussed the FTR tag team on the ARN podcast.

This week’s episode of the podcast was an ‘Ask Arn Anything’ edition of the show. Co-host Conrad Thompson opted to give the podcast this format every other week as Anderson has been involved in the industry at many levels; from the NWA and WCW all the way to the last decade where he worked as an agent for WWE.

One the questions posed to Anderson involved the FTR tag team. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood are hugely influenced by the team of Arn and Tully Blanchard, and Conrad asked Arn Anderson if he believed the group would ever ‘split’ and have singles runs. The reasoning being that the Brainbusters ‘split’ themselves and had singles runs.

Arn Anderson on FTR

“Backing up a little bit, Tully and never split up” Arn Anderson began on the podcast. “We went separate ways because of business decisions, but it was [cordial]. We never got into a feud or anything of that nature. These guys [FTR] are committed to being a team. I think being the best team, when it’s all said and done? That ever lived.”

Arn Anderson would then make a huge claim about the AEW Tag Team Champions. “I think that’s a very achievable goal for them. And I think it’s a admirable one, because if they do become that team and they do survive the test of time? That’ll mean they’ve been in some incredible tag matches with some of the best teams alongside them of their era.”

Anderson would finish by stating that he doesn’t see the team ever splitting up. “I don’t see them splitting up, I think their goals are too consistent. I think their friendship is too consistent and they really are tight close friends. And to be honest with you? I don’t want to see them split up. I think the sum of the parts is more valuable than them individually.”

Do you agree with Arn Anderson? Do you think that FTR could end up the greatest tag team of all time? Let us know in the comments

Results: NJPW G1 Climax 30 Final

Evan S
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0

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s thirtieth G1 Climax tournament is almost over! Who will be the victor in the main event and etch their name in G1 Climax history: Kota Ibushi or SANADA?

Watch live on NJPW World with a paid subscription. English and Japanese commentary are available! This event will have reduced attendance capacity to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

Start Times:
October 16, 11PM Pacific Time
October 17, 2AM Eastern Time
October 17, 7AM UK Time
October 17, 3PM Japan Time
October 17, 5PM East Australia Time

NJPW World Video (English Commentary)
NJPW World Video (Japanese Commentary)

G1 Climax 30 Final Results

Suzuki-gun (Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado & DOUKI) def. CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano) (10:34)
Although part of me is disappointed that the young lions were not booked for this card despite having performed impressively for the whole tour, I have missed all the wrestlers who were not part of the tour due to the truncated card structure. Zack Sabre Jr. was the star of this match, as it showed both the vicious technician he is, in the way he stretched Hirooki Goto by his bad shoulder, but also played the straight man to the chaotic Toru Yano. He tried to stop Yano’s cheating by repeatedly re-tying the turnbuckle pad, showing that he might have the most respect for fair play of anyone in Suzuki-gun.
Finish: Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi hit YOSHI-HASHI with Zack Mephisto, then allowed DOUKI to pin YOSHI-HASHI

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi) def. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (11:54)
At first, this tag team match was more like a tale of two singles matches. Shingo Takagi and Minoru Suzuki wanted each other’s blood, and were brawling with each other before the bell. Meanwhile, Hiromu Takahashi was trying to burn off some stored up energy, as a result of not having wrestled in a whole month. Eventually, these two paths converged, and Suzuki-gun used their greater propensity for taking advantage of numbers.  The both of Kanemaru and Suzuki teamed up on the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. With a pop-up Death Valley bomb on Kanemaru, Shingo was able to even the odds. Kanemaru, suddenly thirsty, tried to take his whiskey that he normally spits in his opponents’ faces, but Hiromu superkicked it out of his hand, and Kanemaru’s largest threat was neutralized.
Finish: Hiromu Takahashi over Yoshinobu Kanemaru by pinfall with the Time Bomb

Suzuki and Shingo continued jaw-jacking after the match, and Suzuki held the NEVER Openweight Championship with his teeth as he stared menacingly at Shingo. At the same time, Hiromu Takahashi was speaking to the commentators, saying that he wanted him and BUSHI to challenge El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Jeff Cobb & Master Wato def. Bullet Club (Jay White, KENTA, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo) (9:12)
Coming off of his loss against Tomohiro Ishii, when even a draw would have sent him to the Final, he was seriously sulking, but he seemed more willing to fight and rely less on Gedo than usual.Ultimately, this match was less a structured eight man tag team bout and moreso a chaotic burst of action. Most everyone got their moment to shine, especially Jeff Cobb, who ran roughshod to help set up his team’s comebacks against the less-than-sportsmanlike Bullet Club, especially when he tossed Taiji Ishimori like he weighed nothing into Bullet Club.
Finish: Hiroshi Tanahashi tapped out Gedo with the Texas Cloverleaf.

Before the intermission, NJPW announced that Wrestle Kingdom 15 will be held next year at the Tokyo Dome. As with last year, it will be a two-day event, on January 4th and 5th, 2021.

The Empire (Will Ospreay & Great O-Khan) def. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & SHO) (12:36)
Bea Priestley entered with Ospreay and O-Khan while wearing her wrestling gear and carrying her SWA World Championship from STARDOM. Okada attacked Ospreay before the bell, rightfully frustrated at having someone who he invited into NJPW, and took under his wing, turn on him with seemingly no warning. Ospreay was noticeably avoiding actually wrestling Okada, and left The Great O-Khan to do most of the work in the ring until the end. O-Khan has seemingly kept the look that he had cultivated during his time wrestling in England, with some very comfy-looking red and yellow pants. The new Ospreay, as previously evidenced by his match against Okada on Friday, seems to have no qualms with accepting help to achieve victory, as Bea Priestley delivered a dragon-screw to SHO from the apron, which led into the ending.
Finish: Will Ospreay submitted SHO with an elevated Figure-Four Leglock.

Bullet Club (EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi) def. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI) (14:14)
Amusingly, the tag team that LIJ would be facing tonight consists of two people who were both partners of Tetsuya Naito at some point and, obviously, would both eventually join Bullet Club. Los Ingobernables de Japon were working from underneath, even with the lowest-performing G1 entrant Yujiro as one of their opponents, thanks to the aid of the well-dressed Dick Togo. BUSHI, especially, was taking seemingly one continuous beating at the hands of EVIL and Yujiro, but the crowd was with him all the way.
Finish: EVIL submitted BUSHI with the Scorpion Deathlock.

G1 Climax 30 Final Match: Kota Ibushi def. SANADA (35:12)
This is Ibushi’s third consecutive G1 Final, and he won the whole tournament last year, while this is SANADA’s first time making it this far. Kota Ibushi’s left leg was heavily wrapped due to his celebration of kicks against Taichi on Friday. As any student of Keiji Mutoh well should, SANADA saw the leg as a weakness and didn’t take long to begin dismantling it wherever possible. Ibushi, of course, still had one good leg and two good arms, but SANADA was making life difficult for him, applying a figure four leglock that Ibushi could not escape without a rope break. Ibushi tried his best to continue with high-flying offense on one bad leg, but the pain that would follow often stopped him from capitalizing on it. Ibushi landed a powerslam and went for a top rope phoenix splash, but SANADA moved out of the way and used the opportunity to perform a top rope moonsault, but that move missed as well. Ibushi tried to throw strikes, but SANADA kept going back to his leg, and Ibushi’s desperation was palpable. He hit a sitout powerbomb on SANADA and called for the Kamigoye, but would receive a low dropkick to the knees for his troubles. SANADA put the pressure on with a bridging Tiger Suplex, and then a giant swing into the Skull End. He would let go to try and land a top rope moonsault, but Ibushi would roll out of the way again. Suddenly, he rearranged SANADA’s jaw with a head kick followed by the Boma Ye, but when he went for the Kamigoye, SANADA turned it against him with a pop-up TKO! He followed it with a top rope moonsault, and then went for another, but Ibushi blocked it with his knees! SANADA managed to rise to his feet and apply the dragon sleeper, but Ibushi turned it into a leg-hook tombstone piledriver to nearly put SANADA away. SANADA rolled Ibushi into the Japanese leg roll clutch but Ibushi would barely kick out before three, which would make the crowd break the rules and vocally pop. Ibushi landed flush with a jumping knee strike and followed it with a Kamigoye, but SANADA kicked out! Ibushi was unfazed, and struck with one more Kamigoye to win the G1 Climax!

Kota Ibushi is now a two-time G1 Climax winner. Not only that, but he is the third wrestler ever, after Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan, to win the G1 Climax two years in a row.

Becky Lynch Was Backstage At Friday’s WWE SmackDown

Andrew Ravens
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Becky Lynch decided to visit friends at Friday’s WWE SmackDown TV event. 

This episode marked the season 2 premiere of the series on FOX and the first episode of SmackDown with its new roster. WWE had a number of special guests appear on the ThunderDome screens to make the show feel special. Ric Flair, Brie Bella, Goldberg, and Jeff Jarrett were featured. 

While Lynch wasn’t on the screen, she was reportedly backstage. Alex McCarthy of talkSport was able to confirm today that Lynch was backstage at the Amway Center alongside Seth Rollins. 

The former RAW Women’s Champion has been out of action since this past March. She was last seen in action when she retained the title by defeating Shayna Baszler during night one of Wrestlemania 36 tapings.

Fast forward to May, she announced that he was expecting her first child with Rollins. As a result, she relinquished the title and took a step back from the limelight during her pregnancy.

Lynch is expected to give birth in December. If WWE can have fans in attendance for WrestleMania 37, there is a rumor that WWE officials may try to get her to work the show. 

Jim Cornette To Tony Khan: “I’m The Only One That’ll Tell You The Truth Because I Don’t Want a Job”

Jake Skudder
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Former WWE, TNA and WCW personality Jim Cornette recently discussed Tony Khan and AEW on the Drive Thru podcast. Cornette is extremely vocal about his hate of the All Elite product, and he referenced when Khan spoke to him potentially to come in for an ‘advisory’ type of role.

“The first time I ever spoke to him on the phone? I said ‘Tony [Khan], I’m the only one it’ll tell you the truth because I don’t want a job” Jim Cornette began on the podcast. “That was two years ago, I was 57, now I’m 59. That’s almost 60.”

Jim Cornette on Road Life

“I was not going to be getting on aeroplanes and flying around” Cornette continued. “Or driving around to a wrestling promotion’s events that were being held all over the country. That’s regardless who it was, I’m f*cking not interested in that.”

Cornette would discuss how he could’ve helped in a consultancy role, but wasn’t interested. Jim Cornette has in the past worked in a similar capacity for some of the biggest promotions in the world, so this referenced conversation between he and Tony Khan, although not publicly acknowledged by AEW or Khan, is very likely to have happened.

“Am I going to stay home and write my thoughts down via email? Or phone them in and take a cheque for it? Well, if it was a goddamn real promotion Pinocchio? Absolutely, if there was a way I could help” Cornette stated. “You couldn’t do anything with this show, even if you were on the f*cking ground there. Unless the first thing was fire half the f*cking roster and start over.”

Do you agree with Jim Cornette? Do AEW need to “fire half the f*cking roster and start over?” Let us know in the comments

Jim Cornette

Update On AEW’s “Blood & Guts” Match

Chris Stephens
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Before the pandemic hit, AEW had planned a “Blood & Guts” match for a special episode of Dynamite. The match was supposed to take place inside 2-rings covered by a steel cage on March 25th, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey.

With fans not being allowed at shows, however, the decision was made to put off holding the match. The Young Bucks were recently interviewed by 411Mania and noted that they spent a lot of money purchasing the structure and still plan to use it, however.

“Obviously, the blood and guts steel cage match never happened. And we spent a lot of money building that structure. (LAUGHTER) But the good thing about it is that at least we now have it. So, we can pull the trigger on that at any time. I feel like we are saving that for fans. I think that is the biggest reason we haven’t done it,” said Nick Jackson.

AEW did hold a big team vs team match in May at Double or Nothing. Members of the Elite squared off with the Inner Circle in the Stadium Stampede match. Matt Jackson spoke about how the pandemic has helped the promotion to think outside the box.

“You got to remember without this pandemic, there may have never been a Stadium Stampede match, there may have never been that crazy tag team brawl match that we had with Butcher and The Blade. We really have had to think outside the box and one big thing that was said, if we are going to do this in front of nobody, let’s do things we have always wanted to do but wouldn’t have worked as well if there were people out there,” Matt Jackson said.

The full interview can be read here.

Ben Carter Headed To WWE After Receiving Interest From AEW

Chris Stephens
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Ben Carter has had a very eventful last couple of months. He made his AEW debut in September, competing on an episode of Dark and in a match against Scorpio Sky on the late night Dynamite special. In late September he then tested positive for COVID-19.

Carter had reportedly draw interest from both AEW and WWE but it appears the young up-and-comer is headed to WWE.

Miro noted on a recent video game stream that AEW “had lost” Ben Carter to “the Dark Side”.

“We lost Ben Carter. Ben Carter is lost. He’s gone to the dark side,” said Miro. “I mean, good luck to Carter. All the best to him. I was really impressed with his stuff.”

https://twitter.com/TheLouisDangoor/status/1317242030502912000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1317242030502912000%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_0&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F411mania.com%2Fwrestling%2Fmiro-suggests-ben-carter-has-signed-with-wwe%2F

Carter is from the UK but trained at Seth Rollins and Marek Brave’s wrestling school. It is possible he could be headed to the NXT UK brand.

Shortly after debuting for AEW, Carter spoke with Fightful about having played against Fulham F.C, the football club Tony Khan is the President of.

“I met him when for the first time when I wrestled Ricky Starks on AEW. It’s crazy that Tony [Khan] is basically the equivalent of Vince McMahon. Because he’s so easy to talk to and the fact that I’ve played soccer, at a high level all my life, I’ve actually played against [the Fulham Academy] when I was playing for my [island of Jersey], we went over and played [Fulham], the sports director of [Fulham]. So, I’m having these back and forth conversations just spitting football with him.”

Ronda Rousey Spotted Training With James Storm

Chris Stephens
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Ronda Rousey is rumored to be gearing up for a WWE return. The former UFC and RAW Women’s champion was once again spotted training in a wrestling ring.

Former Impact Wrestling star James Storm, who says he was on his way to WWE before the COVID pandemic hit, posted a photo with Rousey and her husband Travis Browne. Storm was truly impressed with Rousey’s passion for the sport and likened her to all-time great Kurt Angle.

Latest On Rousey & Storm In WWE

There were also rumors recently that Ronda Rousey’s WWE contract had just months left on it. Paul Heyman recently hinted in an interview, however, that it’s possible Rousey and WWE have agreed to an extension.

“I don’t understand why people don’t realize that perhaps, just perhaps, Ronda Rousey’s contract has been extended or she has worked out a new deal and it would not benefit either WWE or Ronda Rousey to go public with that information. But why wouldn’t people understand that it would be kept secret?” Heyman said.

A report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently noted that Rousey is expected back for WrestleMania next year.

“Rousey is still under contract and was expected to do WrestleMania in Los Angeles,” wrote Dave Meltzer.

James Storm also recently commented on why he believes his deal with WWE fell apart.

“Once I seen that they were making all these cuts with all these different guys and stuff like that I just knew it was a matter of time before they retract the contract,” Storm said. 

“All I can do is keep on keeping on and doing my thing and hopefully there’s another opportunity to come in the future.”

The Young Bucks Comment On Kenny Omega’s Role In AEW

Chris Stephens
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AEW’S use of Kenny Omega has been a frequent point of contention for some fans of the young promotion. According to recent comments from the Young Bucks, however, the next year of Dynamite will feature Omega in a bigger way.

“I think year two’s going to be all about Kenny Omega,” said Nick Jackson. “He’s been very … what’s the word I’m looking for … I guess “unselfish,” and he’s ready to explode. So I would keep my eye on him.”

Nick Jackson also listed Darby Allin as someone who coud really breakout further over the next year.

“Another one off the top of my head would be Darby Allin. He’s got so much potential to be such a massive star for AEW that we have to use him in the right way, and he’s definitely going to be a top player.”

Matt Jackson would say that Hangman Page will continue to be a major player in the promotion’s near future.

“I still think it could be ‘Hangman’ Adam Page,” said Matt Jackson. “The guy’s a star. He’s a sensitive dude who thinks about every little nuanced thing. He’s so interesting, and he puts so much thought into his stuff, and he’s one of my favorite people to collaborate with. He’s going to be a huge mega star. Obviously he’ll be a world champion one day. I don’t know if it’s this year; maybe it is. I don’t know.”

The full interview with The Young Bucks can be read here.

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