FREE Loaded News Update: WWE News, AEW-WBD, Speedball

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• Fightful does not to April Fools jokes. WE'RE NOT PLAYING ON YOUR PHONE!!!!

• This week on Fightful Select's paid tier, we'll have AEW Dynamite backstage news, BetOnline lock picks for Dynasty, PPV preview pods, special post shows, Discord access and more. SRS will be in the Discord Live chat for Sunday's Dynasty.

WWE

• Rhio (not Riho) had a WWE tryout this weekend. She served as an extra on Raw, checking on Jimmy Uso.

• Man Like Dereiss was also in the Jimmy Uso/Gunther segment as security.

• We've heard nothing of the Rock being in London, and have no idea what those rumors were about

• Fightful reached out to Netflix sources about "This is Awesome" chants being added to their version of WrestleMania 40. Their claim is it only replaced expletive chants.

• A number of WWE talent arrived back home this weekend if they weren't needed on Raw, concluding their tour.

• In case you wondered, the blood in the Jimmy Uso angle was intentional.

• Some talent haven't been back overseas in weeks, and only worked one date on the tour.

• Karrion Kross wrestled his first WWE match of the year on WWE Main Event. He used his old theme, performed by Scarlett.

• Kross actually flew back home last week to work the FSW Chris Bey benefit show, then back to the UK.

• In asking WWE staff, they almost all agreed Brussels was the best date on the European tour.

• Former WWE announcer Greg Hamilton is now working for PFL.

AEW/NJPW

• While some suspect it's an April Fools Joke, one source within NJPW say that the Tokyo Sports report of Tetsuya Naito working without a contract could be accurate. They noted many talent are working without deals.

• Regarding the SEScoops report about Max AEW viewership, we've not confirmed that independently. All we've heard is back in January when a WBD rep noted that it was among the top streaming live sports on the platform. AEW itself doesn't get those numbers.

Indies/ Fightful

• Cole Radrick tore his ACL and was subsequently fired from his day job. You can support his GoFundMe at this link.

• We spoke to Ed of Squared Circle Expo at this link

• Fightful has a new Jimmy Van/SRS video coming up this week looking at Japanese POPY figures.

• Their last episode covering LJN Black Cards is at this link.

• SRS spoke to Luke Kurtis, who has done work with NJPW, WWE, TNA, and AEW at this link.

• A reminder, if you happen to speak Spanish, we have Fightful Espanol and SELECT ESPANOL!

• Fightful Podcasts are on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Podbean, Player FM and all other audio

MLW

• Mistico is injured, but is considered day to day and will be at MLW's show Saturday. If he's unable to perform, there are plans on camera for him.

• There are several surprises planned for the MLW Battle Riot. There are a number of MLW debuts and someone MLW considers a high profile name.

• MLW has worked with a Hollywood prop department for weeks on a number of cinematic entrances.

UK NEWS

- Those we spoke to in Riot Cabaret had nothing but praise for their several debuts on their last show, with a lot of praise also to Thunder Rosa for competing at their event a night before an AEW Dynamite appearance.

- When we enquired about paramedics being spotted heading to the back at Riot Cabaret’s latest show, we were told it was a precaution and everyone ended up ‘fit and well’ in the end.

- A representative of NOAH was present backstage at PROGRESS Chapter 178: Fix Your Hearts.

- Both Sunshine Machine vs Smokin’ Aces and Eddie Dennis vs Tate Mayfairs were curtain sellouts backstage at PROGRESS Chapter 178.

- Tyler Bate was backstage visitation at PROGRESS Chapter 178.

- Adam Gamble took a seat and remaining ringside for the rest of PROGRESS Chapter 178 after his appearance.

Gene Munny Interview Notes

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan recently sat down with Gene Munny to discuss a range of topics. You can check out the notes from the interview below.

Corey began the interview by asking Gene about his Progress Family, with Gene praising both Martina and Will Kroos and himself for his ‘biological son’ Ozawa’s success in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Gene also mentioned that he’s wanted to build his family in Progress for quite some time, initially wanting to be revealed as Lana Austin’s son. As for if there will be other family members revealed in the future, Gene said it was possible if promoters pay the talent.

On his family’s rivalry with Simon Miller, Gene noted that he feels Simon is a ‘bit of an enigma’ and that he should probably drop his singlet to show off his body, likening the Protheus champion to Goldberg in build. Gene said his work with Miller has been some of the most fun he’s had in Progress.

While speaking about NORTH Wrestling, Gene noted that Liam Slater is one of the most underrated talents in British Wrestling and said that Leon Slater is the future of the industry. He also quipped that he is looking for a belt to hold up his trousers, and maybe the North title should be that belt. While talking about his time in North, Gene also discussed facing Joe Hendry and being the only person to kick of out of the Standing Ovation.

On possibly heading on excursion to Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH, Gene was enthusiastic about the idea and admitted he would love to bring his ‘nipple tassles’ to Japan. Gene also spoke at length about his appearances in Ireland, including with both RCW and Fight Factory as well as expressing his interest in a possible return to OTT.

On his philosophy surrounding comedy in wrestling, Gene admitted most of his ideas come from outside wrestling, and feels that getting a good laugh was as good as a loud cheer for an athletic spot. Corey finished off the interview with Shooting Softly, as Gene said nice (and not so nice) things about Man Like DeReiss, Kid Lykos, Emersyn Jayne, Kid Likos II and Luke Jacobs.

Speedball

Grapsody’s Phil Lindsey and Righteous Reg spoke with one of AEW’s newest signed stars, Speedball Mike Bailey. The conversation highlighted Bailey's journey through the wrestling world, his influences, and his highly anticipated match against Kenny Omega and Ricochet at AEW Dynasty.

Reg mentions that Bailey has a deep-rooted connection to California's wrestling scene. Reg shared his excitement about seeing Bailey compete in AEW, recalling multiple live shows where Bailey had delivered incredible performances. He specifically mentioned witnessing Bailey's AEW debut against Beast Mortos in Fresno.

Bailey, in turn, acknowledged Rich’s long-time support, recalling how he was one of the voices advocating for his return to the U.S. wrestling scene. Their discussion highlighted Bailey's early days in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and how his performances had built a dedicated following even before his AEW debut.

Bailey reflected on his previous encounter with Omega at PWG in 2015; Bailey expressed how much the match meant to him then and how it has shaped his career since.

Bailey noted that AEW embodies what PWG represented in 2016: a platform for top-tier professional wrestling. He acknowledged that many wrestlers who thrived in PWG are now leading figures in AEW, reinforcing the commitment to showcasing the best talent.

Discussing his admiration for Kenny Omega, Bailey detailed how Omega’s career trajectory served as an inspiration for him. Bailey mentions how Omega, unsatisfied with the wrestling scene in Canada, took a unique path by creating a wrestling video and sending it to DDT in Japan, where he eventually built his career. Bailey said that resonated with him.

Bailey shared how his time in DDT shaped his understanding of professional wrestling, exposing him to a style that blended theatricality with improvisation. He described performing in unconventional venues, such as shopping malls where audiences had no prior interest in wrestling, and how this experience refined his ability to engage crowds through innovative storytelling.

When Bailey was asked how he developed his signature approach, Bailey emphasized that true uniqueness in wrestling is about understanding which aspects of the art form to follow strictly and which to innovate.

Bailey explained that his in-ring style results from 20 years of experimentation, performing in front of diverse audiences, and analyzing what resonates with different crowds. His polished approach in AEW today is a culmination of years of refining his craft, balancing creativity while remaining consistent.

As Bailey gears up for his match against Omega and Ricochet, he remains focused on delivering an unforgettable performance. He sees wrestling not as a closed circle but as a continuous spiral of growth and reinvention.

Bailey tells Phil and Reg that he had to navigate the uncertainties of independent wrestling for most of his career. There was always the lingering concern of when the next opportunity would come. 

However, being contracted to AEW has given him the stability to focus on wrestling entirely. Reflecting on the past, he acknowledges the challenges faced, especially during the global shutdown that left the future of professional wrestling in question. Now, in 2025, Bailey believes professional wrestling is at its peak, with healthier locker rooms and more supportive environments.

Bailey has had a grueling schedule in his past, often wrestling 150 matches a year, including as many as 10 to 12 matches over a single weekend. However, AEW has allowed him to shift his focus from volume to precision. 

While he may wrestle fewer matches per week, he is now putting more effort into refining his craft. He remains dedicated to his training, spending two months staying sharp while waiting for his AEW visa to process. Rather than working at an overwhelming pace, he delivers high-quality AEW performances.

In 2023, Bailey returned to Japan for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, an experience he found both challenging and exhilarating. Wrestling 12 matches in 20 days with only one non-travel day off was a test of endurance, but he loved every moment. His passion for traveling and wrestling worldwide remains strong.

Bailey said he aspired to return to New Japan Pro Wrestling and work with CMLL. Representing AEW internationally is something he takes seriously. He hopes to use his platform to provide opportunities to other wrestlers in countries with fewer chances to break into major promotions.

Bailey acknowledges that Ricochet is one of the most talented high flyers of this generation, but points out that Ricochet's focus on trolling rather than winning has hindered his success in AEW. For Bailey, his strategy remains clear: focus on defeating the champion, Kenny Omega, while ensuring Ricochet does not disrupt his path to victory.

A significant part of Bailey’s wrestling identity has been his entrance music. Before AEW, "Brass Monkey" by the Beastie Boys was a signature aspect of his presentation. His new theme, "Ultima 84," created by Mikey Rukus, carries the same energy. Bailey trusted Rukus entirely with the project, similar to how he trusts Sway Archer with his wrestling gear designs. The final result was a perfect fit, capturing the essence of who he is as a performer.

You can follow Speedball on X and Instagram at @SpeedballBailey. Also, check out his Twitch channel at twitch.tv/speedballbailey.

Check out Fightful’s Grapsody Podcast every Saturday at noon EST on Fightful’s YouTube Channel. (Writer’s Note: Grapsody will not air at its regular time on Saturday, April 5th.)

Follow Phil Lindsey on X @PhilDL616 and Righteous Reg at @RighteousReg.