Malakai Black, NJPW, MLW, Gabe Kidd, Kevin Knight News

• MLW internally says they're close to a sellout for their Dallas show. They've done well in the area since booking the Von Erichs about 5 years ago.

• MLW doesn't expect the ice storm hitting Dallas this week to affect their Kings of Colosseum show.

• We asked about Tony Schiavone's status as he was absent this week from AEW Dynamite. We are told he's expected back soon.

• To follow up, Malakai Black is not expected back in AEW.

• We're told Mike Mansury had some time off in December for paternity leave, but is back in the fold.

• In an update on Kevin Knight's NJPW contract, we're told the company has been actively negotiating with him.

• NJPW also expects that Gabe Kidd, TJP and David Finlay will remain with the company.

• The Young Bucks remained in Japan for a couple of days following Wrestle Dynasty.

• The claim from those at NJPW was the Chris Charlton decision was theirs, not AEW's.

• Fightful Awards will be delivered to AEW talent next Wed

• More New Japan talent is expected to arrive in MLW soon.

Gabe Kidd

Fightful caught up with NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd for a conversation ahead of his match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke with Kidd for nearly twenty minutes.

When asked if his then-upcoming match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty marked the biggest match of his career? Kidd said, “It’s another match to me. Everyone keeps hyping it up like it’s something special. I’ve had big matches before, like Tag League, where I dominated. This is just another day at work, another chance to batter an AEW wrestler and get paid handsomely.”

Kidd says it is less about personal achievement and more about showcasing what New Japan seemingly fails to recognize about him. They don’t want to see me shine. “Kidd tells Sean that NJPW would have no choice but to bring him back after he pins Omega.
Kidd would share his criticisms regarding the industry, including those of New

Japan and AEW. He said AEW is a company he sees as a “television show” rather than a wrestling organization. He stated the AEW Continental Classic was a “fake G1.”

Sean asked about his recent wrestling experience for ROH. Kidd said, “I came in, beat people up in five minutes, and left with five boxes of catering.” He also mentioned the difference between New Japan’s grueling schedules and his preference for AEW’s.

As for his physical health, as he is heading into Wrestle Dynasty, Kidd tells Sean, “It was Christmas, baby! I was out drinking from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve.” He added that he would probably roll into the match still drunk.

Kidd claims he always feels great. “I’m English; I don’t know your American shows or your caffeine pills. All I know is I’m ready to batter anyone who steps in the ring with me.”

Kidd talks about the relentless pace of New Japan’s schedule. He said, “This has been my most active year, 121 matches. Compare that to Kenny’s 43 matches. These AEW guys get to go home six days a week. I saw my family five weeks out of the entire year.”

Kidd embraces the grind, likening himself and his faction, the War Dogs, to modern-day road warriors. He adds, “We’re on the road every week, beating people up,” he said. “When New Japan gives us time off, we’re hitting the indies, keeping the momentum going.”

The conversation then turns when “Kenny hasn’t wrestled in a year. He’s broken. Meanwhile, I’ve been carrying New Japan on my back, bringing eyes to the company. You can’t compare us.” Kidd said. 

As for Omega’s return to AEW, he says to Sean, “They’re advertising him for months down the line, but he’s not even going to make it past Wrestle Dynasty,” Kidd warned. “They think they can build plans around him? We’ll see what happens when I’m done with him.”

Kidd reflections on his time in the New Japan dojo offer a raw insight into his determination. The grueling regimen, the solitude of training during the pandemic, and the mental toll of isolation have all shaped a wrestler who is as much a product of perseverance as he is of skill. He recalls, "During COVID, I was in the dojo doing a thousand squats every day on my own... People don't understand that."

This relentless drive is not merely for accolades but for validation. For Kidd, the Tokyo Dome represents the culmination of years of struggle—both in the ring and within himself. He openly discusses his time in a psychiatric ward and the battles he fought to find stability, making it clear that wrestling is more than a career; it is his salvation. “This isn’t a business to me. This is my life,” he declares.

Regarding his opponent, Kenny Omega, Kidd dismisses Omega’s status with disgust and adds, “He’s 41 years old, he’s been out for a year... If you think he’s coming anywhere close to me, he’s not.”

He defends the integrity of New Japan, calling it the best wrestling in the world and positioning himself as its protector.

As Wrestle Dynasty approaches, Kidd discusses his journey from the dojo to the Tokyo Dome, his battles with mental health, and his drive to prove himself so that this match becomes more than just another entry in New Japan’s storied history.

You can see Gabe Kidd take on Kenny Omega this coming Saturday at Wrestle Dynasty.

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BIG JUSTICE

Big Justice, the social media influencer now making waves in the wrestling world, joined Fightful for an interview. Big Justice appeared at Full Gear with his father, Big Boom AJ. Big Boom AJ defeated QT Marshall in his Zero Hour match. Big Justice spoke with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp.

Big Justice spoke about his journey into wrestling with his father, who played a pivotal role in shaping his love for the sport. Sean asked him about the special moment he shared with his father at the PPV event. 

“It just meant the world to me. See, my dad wrestling, he hit the power boom. That was so cool," Big Justice said. The moment was meaningful because wrestling had always been an important part of their relationship.

One of the standout moments in Big Boom AJ’s match was when Big Justice got involved and hit QT Marshall with the spear. AJ told Sean it didn’t go as planned at first. He added, "It was pretty scary because I didn’t know if I should do it," Justice admitted. "But after Aaron Solo came and messed with my dad, I was like, now I have to."

Justice recalled the moment when he stepped into the ring, "When I got into the ring and he (Marshall) turned around, I said, 'You’re done now.'”

Sean asked Big Justice about The Rizzler; he said he spoke to him that morning and that The Rizzler can’t wait to be there for All In.

While he enjoys wrestling, Big Justice says baseball is his primary focus. Big Justice mentions he is a Yankees fan. He told Sean that he has always been connected to the sport. He talked about participating in a showcase; he told Sean, "A month ago, I had my power showcase. It was an international home run derby and international all-star game, and it was here.” (Globe Life Field)

During the event, Justice said he hit two home runs, one traveling 286 feet, and played in an all-star game, hitting a double and getting walked.

Sean asked the Yankees fan about Juan Soto's departure for the New York Mets. The fan told Sean he was pretty sad about it.

Ricardo Rodriguez

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful spoke with Ricardo Rodriguez, who will be in Dallas for MLW’s upcoming event, Kings of Coliseum. 

Rodriguez joined MLW in 2023 and reflected on his experiences in WWE and MLW; he mentioned the challenges and joys of participating in signature events like MLW’s Battle Riot.

Rodriguez was excited about the global wrestling boom. “The explosion of pro wrestling across all companies, not just in the U.S. but internationally, has been incredibly beneficial for us,” he said. MLW, in particular, has been riding this wave of success, having sold-out shows and strong ticket sales.” Rodriguez credited this growth to the talent.

One highlight of Rodriguez’s MLW tenure was teaming up with Nunzio, an experience he described as fun and meaningful. The pairing allowed him to blend his humor and skills in matches, including one memorable match against the popular Microman. Rodriguez also spoke highly of his hard-hitting encounter with Matthew Justice.

Rodriguez talked to Sean about his WWE days, including his unexpected role in creating The Ascension. Inspired by the film The Devil’s Advocate, he helped with the concept of creating the team during promo classes with Dusty Rhodes. 

Another chapter of his WWE career was his time as El Local. Under a mask, Rodriguez showcased his in-ring skills, initially surprising colleagues who didn’t know he was a trained wrestler. “It was something I was very proud of,” he said, recalling the thrill of wrestling in the WWE while in his independent wrestling gear. His versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition between comedic roles as Ricardo Rodriguez and serious matches as El Local.

Whether taking on top talents, mentoring up-and-comers, or reminiscing about his WWE antics, he thrives. His stories highlight the nature of wrestling.

They discuss Mistico and the attention he has brought to Major League Wrestling (MLW). Ricardo speaks about wrestling with Mistico numerous times during his WWE days and seeing his growth. 

He talked about his time with Tyson Kidd; he recalled where the idea for their team came from. Ricardo said the idea emerged during a Saturday Night Main Event when they found an Ultimo Dragon mask in storage. From there, it became a playful gimmick, showcasing Kidd’s incredible creativity and insight into wrestling. His transition to a producer role has been seamless.

Sean asked Ricardo what the hardest he’d been hit was. Ricardo said he had had his fair share of hard hits and unforgettable moments. Among the most memorable came from Justin Gabriel in London, a back fist that dislocated his jaw before joining WWE, and a strike from Willie Mack. Ricardo said Wrestling is an unpredictable sport where accidents happen, but these moments are part of what makes the experience.

Ricardo talked about being in WWE video games and having his own action figures, which remains one of his surreal experiences. From the first scanning session to providing voiceovers, he said the process was thrilling. He said seeing himself in a game or molded into an action figure is a childhood dream realized.

Ricardo said another unique honor is being part of the early careers of future legends. He said he wrestled Big E, Roman Reigns (then known as Leakee), Bray Wyatt (previously Husky Harris), and Kalisto in some of their first matches.

Before his WWE days, he mentioned crossing paths with notable wrestlers like Willie Mack and Peter Avalon. He noted Mack's incredible talent, who still performs at a high level, and acknowledged that some people naturally “have it.” These early encounters were part of his four years on the independent circuit before signing with WWE.

Ricardo expressed admiration for several lesser-known talents from the Southern California scene. “There was this guy, Pepper Parks, who was so good,” he recalled, alongside other standout names like SoCal Crazy and Ricky Mandel. Ricardo also acknowledged that major players such as the Young Bucks, Scorpio Sky, and TJP led the pack in the area. “You could tell these guys had something to them.”

Sean mentions that Ricardo wrestled against Bret Hart and John Cena in Bret Hart's last match. Ricardo told Sean, “I feel like the more that I talk about it, the more they're gonna be like, you know what, let's [WWE] take that away from him.”

Despite the differing paths taken by wrestlers in the scene, there was a collective sense of pride in their shared success. “A bunch of us came from LA, and we made it,” he said. While he ventured into WWE and later found success performing in India and Egypt, others like The Young Bucks rose to fame with AEW. “Even though our journeys took us completely different ways, we eventually met up somewhere,” he added.

Ricardo tells Sean that one standout memory was participating in a massive 159-man battle royal for AWS. “I think it’s still in the record,” Ricardo mentioned, describing the chaos of three rings packed with wrestlers. Reflecting on the match, he admitted his strategy was simple: “Get in, do a minute or two, and get out before somebody gets hurt.”

In closing, they discussed Three Legacies Wrestling, a training school based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Carlos is the head trainer. Carlos proudly shared,  “We’ve been booming for the last two and a half years.”