Wrestle Kingdom 18 is almost upon us. Fightful Select caught up with New Japan Strong’s Openweight Tag Team Champions, The Guerillas of Destiny’s Hikuleo and El Phantasmo (ELP) for an exclusive interview.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke with Hikuleo and ELP before their upcoming Tag Team Championship match against Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI.
Sean mentioned they recently faced Goto and YOSHI-HASHI at NJPW’s World Tag League 2023 - Tag 16. When asked how they were feeling ...
2023-12-26 22:00:02 +0000 UTC
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A high profile NJPW name possibly has a contract coming due.
Speaking to Fightful, NJPW Strong Tag Team Champion El Phantasmo heavily hinted to us that his deal with the company is up at the end of January 31. We’ve not confirmed this with New Japan Pro Wrestling sources, but the Guerrillas of Destiny star was certainly pointing that direction. He noted to Sean Ross Sapp that he was headed into a contract period.
We do not know about the contract status of his tag team partner H...
2023-12-26 18:00:06 +0000 UTC
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By Nate Marquardt, Issue 6 of Fightful Magazine
***
When I was a child, I dreamt about becoming a fighter. I always loved pretending I was a ninja, playing karate, boxing, and wrestling with my friends and family. I started training for MMA at the age of 16. By the time I was 20 years old, I gained my first world title by winning the tournament to crown the first Middleweight King of Pancrase. I won seven title fights in Japan and signed with the UFC in...
2023-12-25 22:00:02 +0000 UTC
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STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!
- MLW: "Holiday Rush" results
- GCW: "Holiday Special" results
- "The Iron Claw" movie review
- NXT Level Up (12/22) results
- NWA: "Powerrr" (12/19) results
- AEW: "Worlds End" predictions
- ROH *TV TAPING SPOILERS* (1 hour-end)
2023-12-25 18:13:16 +0000 UTC
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Fightful Select had the opportunity to catch up with former IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Deonna Purrazzo at WrestleCade in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp asked Deonna how she felt about her future. Deonna could be a free agent soon if she chooses not to re-sign with IMPACT. Deonna told Sean that she was feeling confident.
Deonna said the last time the two discussed free agency was almost four years ago. She told Fightful that she’s rehabilitated he...
2023-12-25 18:00:05 +0000 UTC
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SRS is back after a year for a special Figure Haul!!
2023-12-25 13:00:13 +0000 UTC
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By Sean Ross Sapp
2024 looks to be a huge year in pro wrestling for several reasons.
Full disclosure, this was a piece we’d planned to release in January, but the constant evolution (or de-evolution in some sense) kept pushing it back. An insane 2022 was followed by a crazier 2023, and 2024 doesn’t look to slow down any time soon.
Both AEW and WWE look to have some major free agents due at the start and throughout 2024. AEW signed much of their talent in early 2024, and ...
2023-12-24 18:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
We wanted to open up Fightful Award nominations to our audience, so we'll be listening to your recommendations and narrowing them down.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please Copy these topics, place ONE nomination underneath, and post in the comments. If you want to edit them after the World's End PPV, that's fine.
If you would like to sponsor this year's awards show or individual awards, reach out to Sean Ross Sapp, Kate, or the Fightful twitter...
2023-12-24 14:00:05 +0000 UTC
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The C2 is down to its Final Four, and what a ride it's been.
Thunder Rosa is back in AEW, making her return to the ring in her hometown of San Antonio. But she's not the one getting a TBS title match next week.
The entire card for World's End is coming into focus, including Adam EdgeCope vs Christian, who just found the perfect Matriarch for his Patriarchy.
What an episode of Collision, and that's not all we have to talk about, because Mustafa Ali is embarking on a world tou...
2023-12-24 02:58:59 +0000 UTC
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A major name within All Elite Wrestling is expected to leave the company.
Word has made its way around that industry that longtime AEW employee Rafael Morffi will be finishing up with the company at the end of the year. Morffi has served as Vice President of Live Events/Touring. Morffi has teased new opportunities of late, and is expected to be pursuing other interests in 2024.
Though the news was discussed within the industry, it didn’t seem to make its way around backstage at ...
2023-12-23 20:46:03 +0000 UTC
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An update on the Cody Rhodes-WWE contract.
Fightful reported Friday that WWE was looking to imminently re-sign him. This weekend, Wrestling Observer reported that a deal was signed in October, but sources close to Cody himself claim that there's some confusion on that front.
Their claim is that the approach and initial offer from WWE was made in October, but no deal was signed at that point. One is expected to be signed, and an agreement is in place, we're told
There were se...
2023-12-23 19:41:29 +0000 UTC
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- Regarding Kazuchika Okada and Barry Bloom, we're told that nothing is official in that regard as of yet, but Bloom has been after high profile targets.
- Fightful’s Corey Brennan is told that many working WWE Smackdown didn’t even know WWE Speed was happening until shortly before the show. We’ve learned that the plan is for the show to run on social media platforms if they launch it.
- Fightful’s Corey Brennan has learned that with the Randy Orton theme song, they did on...
2023-12-23 18:00:06 +0000 UTC
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A whole bunch of WTF on SmackDown tonight, but I do like that they're trying to build several things that might lead to Mania matches in 4 months time.
AJ is a new man, and so, it would appear, is Karrion Kross.
Or hAs iT aLL bEEn pArT oF tHe pLaNNNN?
On Rampage, we get Vikingo vs Black Taurus, and I still haven't watched the Lucha Six Man from last week.
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
video: ...
2023-12-23 02:56:06 +0000 UTC
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WWE is interested in extending another contract, and it’s a major one.
Sources have confirmed to Fightful that WWE has been engaged in talks with Cody Rhodes about a multi-year contract extension. Based on what we’re told, WWE is trying to lock him down long term. Of late, WWE has extended the contracts of Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio. Rhodes would be a monumental re-signing for the the company.
We haven’t heard about terms, but everyone w...
2023-12-23 00:50:40 +0000 UTC
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The following plans are in store for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown.
Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.
- AJ Styles promo
- Holiday Havoc Match: Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Zelina Vega & Michin vs. DAMAGE CTRL
- NXT North American Title: Dragon Lee vs. Butch
- US Title Contender Tourney Semifinals SPOILERS
- US Title Contender Tourney Semifinals: Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar
- SPOILER MAIN EVENT
Backstage News
...
2023-12-22 19:00:04 +0000 UTC
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AJ Styles is back, but he might not be turning heel.
Styles returned to WWE Smackdown after three months away, to what some considered a heel turn for the longtime-top star. Styles attacked Roman Reigns, but also went after babyface LA Knight. However, based on internal WWE sources to Fightful’s Corey Brennan, it might not be a full-fledged heel turn.
Sources tell Corey Brennan that as of now, the direction is for Styles to be somewhat justified in his attack of LA Knight. Anoth...
2023-12-22 18:00:09 +0000 UTC
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Akam and Rezar could be coming back soon.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but there’s good reason. Fightful Select has learned that the Authors of Pain aka AOP are planned for a return to WWE TV soon. Specifically, we’re told that the working plan for them as of now is for them to appear on the Smackdown brand, though that could always change.
In January 2023, Fightful reported that there had been chatter about WWE interest in them. However, we’re told that the ...
2023-12-22 01:21:01 +0000 UTC
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Another top WWE talent may be with WWE long term.
WWE sources claim to Fightful that Bayley has signed a new multi-year deal with the company. WWE has been rapidly locking down numerous high level talent to long-term contracts.
Bayley has been a fixture in WWE for a number of years, and is well liked backstage among staff and talent. As one would expect, Bayley's contract extension is one that was seen as a priority within WWE.
We'll work to get more details.
2023-12-21 21:04:13 +0000 UTC
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He is a man of many talents, a Pro Wrestler, a talented musician, and a former competitor on the 36th season of MTV’s The Challenge. The Pro Wrestling veteran Lio Rush has been wrestling for nearly ten years, and Fightful’s Phil Lindsey and Righteous Reg of Grasody spoke with him in an exclusive Fightful interview.
The interview began with Righteous Reg explaining how Lio played a role in getting him into the Wrestling Media. Reg explained people did not know how to talk about Lioâ€...
2023-12-21 20:00:05 +0000 UTC
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SRS shares his experiences with talent that you've asked about!
2023-12-21 18:00:06 +0000 UTC
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SRS and Jimmy Van keep the party going
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Mb8_7fFAl40
2023-12-20 20:33:01 +0000 UTC
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QT Marshall’s contract with All Elite Wrestling is up on January 1, however, we’re told he’s effectively already finished up with the company.
Sources within AEW have confirmed that QT Marshall is not a presence backstage at AEW any longer, and has not been at the shows in weeks. Marshall gave his notice months ago, and signed a short term extension through the end of the year.
There is already outside interest with Marshall, who we’re told at least has some plans that inc...
2023-12-20 20:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Ilja Dragunov was stretchered out on the 12/19 episode of NXT, but no fear -- it's an angle.
The story was filmed last week, and played off of Ridge Holland being involved in Big E's injury almost two years ago. The idea was one that Fightful was told was a bit controversial among some in WWE, but they went through with it. Corey Brennan of Fightful reported last week that the spot was just an angle, and we've learned more.
Brennan is told by NXT sources that everyone seemed happy...
2023-12-20 18:46:12 +0000 UTC
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Charlotte isn’t going anywhere for quite a while.
Fightful has learned that Charlotte Flair agreed to a contract extension with WWE recently that will keep her with WWE for several more years. Madusa had said on her podcast recently that she'd heard this as well, and it took quite a while for people within the company to hear the same.
Charlotte Flair was the first extension we’ve heard of since the TKO merger, as it happened before the recently reported Dominik and Rey ...
2023-12-19 20:09:29 +0000 UTC
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STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a Tuesday edition of the WEEKENDER!
- ICW NHB: "One Night Only" + "No Holds Barred Volume 56" results
- H2O: "Uncharted Territory" (12/18) results
- GLORY PRO: "Ascend" (Ep. 15) results
- DPW 2nd Anniversary results
- ETU: "Just Gettin' Warm" results
- MLW: "Fusion" (12/14) results
- NXT Level Up (12/15) results
- ROH *TV TAPING SPOILERS* (53 min-end)
2023-12-19 19:38:50 +0000 UTC
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- Akira Tozawa vs. Ivar did not have a producer listed
- WWE talent now have the week off until next Tuesday's live events
- Fightful has interviews with Gringo Loco, Lio Rush and Deonna Purrazzo set to release over the next week.
WWE Raw Producers
- Miracle on 34th Street Fight: R-Truth vs. JD McDonagh: Kenny Dykstra
- Nia Jax promo with Becky Lynch: TJ Wilson
- IC Title: Gunther vs. Miz: Adam Pearce
- The Nightmare ...
2023-12-19 16:00:20 +0000 UTC
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Kate is still sick. Wish her well.
Mostly because I am selfish and I need her to do these shows with me.
Gunther dragged The Miz to his best match ever, and for that reason alone, he is the best Intercontinental Champion of all time.
We have new Women's Tag Champs, and while I am happy for them, I am sad for me, who will miss being entertained by Chelsea & Piper.
The Creeds got their shot at the Tag Belts, but they said Cody Rhodes is "the GOAT" and so now I have to ...
2023-12-19 03:50:57 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to change
Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.
- Miracle on 34th Street Fight: R-Truth vs. JD McDonagh
- Nia Jax promo
- IC Title: Gunther vs. Miz
- The Nightmare Before Christmas with Shinsuke Nakamura
- Tag Team Titles: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
- Akira Tozawa vs. Ivar
- Seth Rollins promo
- Jey Uso vs. ...
2023-12-19 00:47:49 +0000 UTC
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Mercedes Mone continues to be a hot topic in wrestling, and for good reason, as she’s among wrestling’s top free agents.
At the time in which Mercedes appeared at AEW All In as a part of the audience, AEW sources had indicated there was a tentative plan for the two sides to work together when she was no longer injured. At the beginning of December, we were told that those plans were no longer active, and the two sides were far apart on terms. It was not indicated to us if that perta...
2023-12-18 21:40:00 +0000 UTC
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- CM Punk/NXT
- Punk & Rollins
- Seth Rollins contract
- Mercedes/AEW/WWE
- Ethan Page
- Liv Morgan
- Randy Orton's theme
- Kenny Omega
- Xia Brookside
- AEW Devil
- WWE Speed
- Talent Missing From TV
2023-12-18 21:16:17 +0000 UTC
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