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SRS LIVE Q&A !!!

SRS answers your questions!

video: https://youtu.be/RWLJKkhgke4

AEW Dynamite Producers, Backstage News, More

Producers

- Orange Cassidy vs. Jay Lethal: Pat Buck

- Young Bucks vs. Top Flight: Christopher Daniels

- Gunns/Acclaimed: Billy Gunn

- Jake Hager vs. Ricky Starks: Dean Malenko

- Bryan Danielson vs. Bandido: Jerry Lynn

- Willow Nightingale vs. Toni Storm: BJ Whitmer

- Kushida vs. Darby Allin: Sonjay Dutt.

Backstage News

- Several talent were flown in on short notice for the Jay Briscoe tribute show.

- Summer Rae was backstage at AEW D...

MLW gets TV home

MLW has found a new TV home on Reelz. Fightful's Nick Harrison learned of the news yesterday, and MLW sent along the following:

REELZ today announced the fastest growing wrestling league in the world Major League Wrestling (MLW) premieres on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT. The new weekly primetime series MLW Underground Wrestling is a new era of wrestling for a new generation of fans, featuring an electrifying mix of world class fighters including MLW World Champi...

Naomi-WWE Update

Naomi, also known as Trinity Fatu, hasn't wrestled since May when she walked out of WWE Raw and was suspended. Fightful has learned a little bit more about her status and how things have went down.

Fightful sources have long claimed that not only was Naomi's contract close to expiring at the time of the walkout, but that both sides seemed excited to extend the deal. Specifically, Fightful was told by WWE sources that Naomi was likely headed for a new contract before things got derailed...

5 PM EST: Ask Grapsody 1/19!

Ask Grapsody Q&A! Will, Reg, and Phil answer your questions!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmODjGgiQSo

Free Agent News, Contract News: AEW, WWE, Free Agents

KiLynn King

Despite appearing on NWA, IMPACT Wrestling, and AEW, it was reiterated to us that KiLynn King remained a free agent. We have an interview with her dropping soon.

Kazarian

Kazarian officially signed with IMPACT Wrestling, but several had long been questioning the status of his AEW deal, as he started working IMPACT and indies last year. He clarified recently he passed on an extension. We're told that this past year Kazarian was still on a full-time deal. He's also...

AEW Dynamite Plans

Fightful Select has learned the following plans for AEW Dynamite. We'll have notes on coaches, and other backstage info on Thursday.

Though AEW promotes most of their content ahead of time, please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.


- All Atlantic Title: Orange Cassidy vs. Jay Lethal

- Young Bucks vs. Top Flight

- Gunns promo

- Ricky Starks vs. Jake Hager

- Bryan Danielson vs. Bandido

- Toni Storm vs. Willow Nightingale
2023-01-19 00:49:00 +0000 UTC View Post

AEW Dark taping news

AEW is slated to head back to Universal Studios for their newest Dark tapings

Fightful Select has learned that the working plan is for AEW Dark tapings to return to Orlando's Universal Studios on January 28. It will be the second straight months of AEW Dark tapings after the show traveled for months. From September 2021 to August 2022, All Elite Wrestling was there every 4-6 weeks, with ten tapings in the area.

For a few months prior to December, AEW has been taping Dark on the ro...

The List Goes On 1/18

The List ROLLS ON!!

- WWE Sale Stuff

- Mercedes Mone

- Naomi

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d265RnwrPA

Indie wrestler helping out with the Royal Rumble

WWE is getting some help with a younger independent wrestler with a wealth of experience.

Fightful has learned that Jason Cade is expected to do some work with the company as a producer. Specifically, Fightful was told that Cade is helping with the upcoming women's Royal Rumble match, and that Tyson Kidd/TJ Wilson was instrumental in helping him come in. Cade has trained alongside Wilson and Natalya in the past. We have not been told if this will be full-time, trial, or a test run.

Update on PROGRESS following WWE Network news

PROGRESS and other indies are off the WWE Network, as the deals have not been renewed, but it doesn't seem like PROGRESS is worried.

We're told that in many ways, a lot of restrictions are being lifted on PROGRESS and other companies now being off the WWE Network.

Fightful Select has been sent the following from PROGRESS regarding the WWE Network news:

PROGRESS Wrestling‘s first show of 2023 was named START SPREADING THE NEWS for a very clear reason, and they ca...

Select Exclusive: Gerard Bonner Interview

Stephen Jensen speaks to BattleSlam commentator Gerard Bonner!

Update on WWE-Logan Paul

WWE has been hoping a celebrity talent is back in time for Royal Rumble.

Fightful Select has learned that WWE is hoping that crossover star Logan Paul can appear at the WWE Royal Rumble show later this month. We haven't heard any solid details on the plan, but as of last week, WWE was hoping to have him train for an upcoming match. We can confirm they've at least inquired about it.

Logan Paul last appeared at the WWE Crown Jewel PPV, in a standout match against Roman Reigns. Follo...

Backstage news, producers on WWE Raw

Producers:

Bloodline promo with Judgment Day: Michael Hayes

- Solo Sikoa vs. Mustafa Ali: Michael Hayes

- Street Profits vs. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin: Jamie Noble

- Elias vs. Omos: Adam Pearce

- Alpha Academy vs. Judgment Day: Peter Williams

- Michin vs. IYO SKY: TJ Wilson

- Bianca Belair promo: TJ Wilson

- Bronson Reed vs. Akira Tozawa: Shane Helms

- Six Way Elimination Match: Abyss & Kenny Dykstra

Backstage notes...

Select Exclusive: Baron Black Interview

Stephen Jensen of the weekender speaks to Baron Black at BattleSLAM

Indies set to leave WWE Network on Peacock

Several indie events that are featured on Peacock are set to expire, leaving many wondering what's up.

Fightful Select has learned that as of now, WWE is not continuing independent content on the WWE Network on Peacock. Several of the companies already have plans in order to follow up.

Longtime WWE Employee Gone From The Company

WWE's Vice President of Communications is out.

Fightful has learned that WWE's Vice President of Communications, Adam Hopkins, is out of the company after over 25 years. He served in a variety of roles, serving as Fan Services Coordinator, before moving up to Public Relations Coordinator, Manager of Media Relations, Senior Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Director Of Communications, Senior Director, Public Relations/Corporate Communications before his most recent r...

Fightful Weekender (1/17): BATTLE SLAM, IMPACT SPOILERS, GARDEN STATE, FREELANCE, NXT LEVEL UP, MLW, TIMEBOMB, F1RST

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

Topics:

- BATTLE SLAM: "DREAM" results

- IMPACT *TV TAPING SPOILERS*

- GARDEN STATE PRO: "Duality" results

- FREELANCE: "Any Given Saturday" results

- NXT Level Up (1/13) results

- MLW: "Fusion" (1/12) results

- TIMEBOMB PRO: "Holiday, Aw, Hell" results

- F1RST: "WRESTLEPALOOZA" results

Saori Anou Interview Notes

Fightful's Scott Edwards had an exclusive interview with ICExInfinity Champion Saori Anou. In the interview, Anou discussed being a freelance wrestler, her time in Ice Ribbon, and her goals to travel and wrestle this year.

When asked about being a freelance wrestler, Anou explained that making this decision was to protect her own value. It's allowed her to understand who Saori Anou is and why the current version of Saori Anou is the best.

Anou stated that Ice Ribbon is one o...

MLW talent now a free agent

A longtime MLW talent is now on the open market.

Fightful Select has learned that 26-year old Myron Reed is now a free agent. We're told he was released on January 14. It was claimed the parting was mutual and amicable. 

Reed has been in MLW since 2018 and was a part of Injustice before becoming MLW World Middleweight Champion. He lost that title in September 2022.

He's also a member of The Rascalz, along with Trey Miguel, Desmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 1/16 | Misrepresentation

It's Martin Luther King Day, the one day a year that WWE asks us to suspend our disbelief that Vince McMahon actually cared about Civil Rights.  

It's almost as hard to believe as the idea that Triple H is still in charge of creative. 

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/MomsUKuZUmw

WWE Raw Plans for tonight.

Fightful Select has learned the following plans for WWE Raw.

Please avoid screenshotting and reposting. Summaries are not against our terms of service.

- Bloodline promo

- Cody Rhodes Return, Part 3.

- Street Profits vs. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin

- Becky Lynch promo

- Elias vs. Omos

- Alpha Academy vs. Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest

- Michin vs. IYO SKY

- Bianca Belair promo

- Bronson Reed vs...

SRS Backstage Report Podcast 1/16: WWE Sale, Cody, Cena, Switchblade

- Switchblade Jay White news

- Cody Rhodes

- John Cena

- WWE Sale

- Saudi Arabia

- Edge

- Vince McMahon

- Stephanie McMahon

- Taylor Wilde, Crowbar, Mickie James

- AEW backstage notes

- Adam Cole

- Free agent news 

WWE Raw talent meeting details

WWE held another talent meeting on January 16 for the Raw roster.

Fightful Select learned that staff and talent were all involved at the meeting, which started shortly after 3 PM EST. The meeting was conducted by Triple H (Paul Levesque), Kevin Dunn and Executive Vice President of Talent for WWE Dan Ventrelle.

Thus far we were told that many of the same points were hit from Friday, including noting that Triple H is still CCO and firmly in control of creative, and that talent relat...

Select Portions: WWE Raw, Uncle Howdy, PROGRESS, More,

- Uncle Howdy was set for Raw as of Sunday's creative, but they've been bringing the Uncle Howdy materials to shows even when they don't use them live on the air.

- Mia Yim, Angelo Dawkins, Shane Helms, Cathy Kelley, Montez Ford, MVP, Lashley were all set for Cincinnati's Raw as of Sunday. Several were already in town, with Kelley and Angelo Dawkins attending the Cincinnati Bengals playoff game. The Bengals won, by the way.

- WWE had a Nikki Cross drawing produced for an upcoming ...

Select Style Podcast: Shun Skywalker Takes Over DRAGONGATE

In the second episode of the Select Style Podcast, Scott Edwards discusses all the happenings in Japan with the biggest stories coming from DRAGONGATE as HIGH-END has been forced to disband and Shun Skywalker defeated Yuki Yoshioka to become the Open The Dream Gate Champion for the second time in his career.

Here's all the promotions coverage on this week's episode:

- NOAH

- AJPW

- DRAGONGATE

- DDT

- TJPW

- STARDOM

- Sendai Girls

News on more free agent names

KC Navarro

For those asking about the contract status of KC Navarro, we've confirmed that he is still a free agent. Navarro had a WWE tryout in December with veterans such as Kylie Rae, Vincent and Dutch.

Cheeseburger

Cheeseburger has appeared on both All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor of late. As of this fall, we were told that Cheeseburger, who also goes by the name CB, is still a free agent. He's gained a ton of acclaim for his training and in-ring ability over the las...

Magazine Archive: A 64-Bit, Generation-Defining Classic: Looking Back on “WWF No Mercy”

By Rob Sutter, as seen in FightfulMag.com issue 3

***

When discussing the most memorable wrestling games in history, few stand out like the AKI-developed, THQ-published, Nintendo 64 titles. The first of this four-part 64-bit saga began with World Championship Wrestling’s WCW vs. nWo: World Tourin 1997 in North America. It was followed up by WCW/nWo Revengethe year after. Later on, THQ acquired the World Wrestling Federation license, which led to the development...

John Cena Filmed Additional Segment For WWE In Tampa

A changed live event main event could have a lot more behind it than meets the eye.

Fightful Select has learned that WWE had at least planned to film something with John Cena and WWE United States Champion Austin Theory while Cena was in for the December 30 Smackdown show.

Theory was originally scheduled to main event the Toronto live event that night in a cage match with Seth Rollins. However, Theory was pulled from that show to travel to Tampa, where he was set to film a segment...

Backstage News, Producers, From Smackdown

Smackdown Producers

- Braun Strowman vs. Gunther: Abyss

- Rey Mysterio/Kross promo: Shawn Daviari

- Tegan Nox vs. Xia Li: Molly Holly

- Bray Wyatt promo: Adam Pearce

- Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Shawn Daivari

- Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens: Jason Jordan

Backstage news

- Uncle Howdy's gimmicks were set for Smackdown as of Thursday

- As noted, creative was done for Smackdown as of Thursday night.

- Brawling Brutes v...