By Erik Boyer, first seen in FightfulMag.com issue 3
***
Picture that you’re ten. Your favorite action figure is affixed to your right hand. Now, picture someone taking it from you, laying it on a flat surface, and chopping off its head — with the promise that, in return, you’ll get something even cooler. If you were an ‘80s kid, there’s a good chance that figure was a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Wrestling Superstar from LJN — and chop...
2023-01-08 21:00:01 +0000 UTC
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- We published our interview with Kazuchika Okada heading in to Wrestle Kingdom. We asked questions about Karl Anderson and WWE that didn't end up getting answered.
- We're told that Switchblade Jay White is booked for New Japan Pro Wrestling shows after this year's Royal Rumble, for those expecting him to head over then.
- Recently, we had a Q&A question about who produces and agents matches for MLW. We're told it's Court Bauer, Lince Dorado, Davey Richards, Delirious and Sav...
2023-01-08 17:00:03 +0000 UTC
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It's that time of the year. Contract season, and some contracts are already up.
As reported Friday, Fightful Select has been told that MLW Tag Team Champion EJ Nduka's deal with Major League Wrestling is up, and actually has been since January 1. Nduka was tag champ alongside Calvin Tankman, and were scheduled to defend the titles in Philadelphia against the Samoan Swat Team on January 7, and he honored that date. Those that we've spoken to say that no extension was reached, and EJ Nduk...
2023-01-08 05:00:04 +0000 UTC
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WWE has interest in a longtime New Japan Pro Wrestling talent, and his situation is quite ironic, considering he just faced a WWE superstar.
Fightful Select has learned that WWE has internally expressed interest in Tama Tonga. While we're told that the interest in possibly bringing in Tonga isn't new, word traveled through the NJPW locker room ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 17 and made its way to Fightful. Ironically enough, Tama Tonga faced WWE talent and NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Ander...
2023-01-07 23:37:19 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned the following producers from Smackdown
- Bloodline and Kevin Owens promo: Jason Jordan
- Kofi Kingston vs. Santos Escobar: Jamie Noble
- Liv Morgan, LA Knight segments: Shawn Daviari
- Karrion Kross & Scarlett vs. Madcap Moss & Emma: Shawn Daviari
- Charlotte Flair vs. Sonya Deville: Molly Holly
- Ricochet vs. Top Dolla: Adam Pearce
- Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & Sheamus: Jason Jordan
Backstage notes
-...
2023-01-07 17:02:25 +0000 UTC
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The Wrestling Perspective is one of Fightful's newest shows. It is hosted by Lars Frederiksen of the Punk Rock Band "Rancid" and Dennis Farrell. This week, they interviewed IMPACT World Heavyweight Champion Josh Alexander, and he talked on various topics before his big match against Bully Ray at IMPACT
- Josh was asked if he thinks he would be the IMPACT Heavyweight Champion if Ethan Page had not left IMPACT for AEW. He said “probably not, he thinks The North had another year or so be...
2023-01-07 14:31:00 +0000 UTC
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Charlotte Flair's babyface re-package continues, unabated. And it looks like they've chosen her first major opponent. And it's not good.
Scarlett wrestled for the first time in WWE. She sure is hot, huh?
Hit Row cemented their heel turn, Santos picked up a major win, and the plot thickened RE: Roman, Kevin & Sami.
Big tag team title match to main event. SmackDown wasn't terrible.
AEW has two hours of apparently entirely inconsequential w...
2023-01-07 02:50:03 +0000 UTC
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Fightful Select has learned the following plans for Smackdown tonight
Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers. Screenshotting and sharing the entire post is a violation of our terms of service. Summaries are fine.
- Bloodline promo
- Kofi Kingston vs. Santos Escobar
- Rumble qualifier: Ricochet vs. Top Dolla
- Liv Morgan segment
- LA Knight Interview
- Karrion Kross & Scarlett vs. Madcap Moss & Emma
- Charlotte...
2023-01-07 00:48:06 +0000 UTC
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After being away for most of December, the friendly hosts of Coexisting After Dark are back! Maggie continues to show that she is a good "booker" as she got us Luke Owen of WrestleTalk.com
Lots of music talk!
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbW1amaQpdU
2023-01-06 21:45:00 +0000 UTC
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WWE held their employee meeting today. We'll update here as we get more info.
- The meeting was pushed back slightly from 3:30 PM EST, and got underway before 4 PM EST.
- Talent was not involved.
- There were no questions taken.
- It was stressed that day-to-day is not changing across the board.
- They spoke about Vince McMahon being the controlling shareholder and the possibility of a a sale, as well as the media rights deal.
- Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan...
2023-01-06 21:06:16 +0000 UTC
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- The WWE employee meeting scheduled for 3:30 PM was pushed back again. It is not a talent meeting
- We're told that as of Thursday, there was a tarot card element to the Karrion Kross/Scarlett/Rey Mysterio Smackdown feud tonight.
- The Kenny Omega swollen eye came from the Cheeky Nandos kick in his match with Will Ospreay
- Drew McIntyre, The Usos, Sheamus, Ricochet, Charlotte Flair, Hit Row, New Day, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Bloodline, Street Profits were scheduled to be i...
2023-01-06 20:12:38 +0000 UTC
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EJ Nduka
There were multiple reports today that EJ Nduka (formerly Ezra Judge in NXT) has his MLW contract set to expire imminently, with one saying it was this weekend. Fightful has spoken with both EJ and MLW and confirmed that he's actually already a free agent and has been since January 1. He's honored the upcoming date, but no word has been given to us on possible extension talks.
Lady Frost
Fightful Select reported recently...
2023-01-06 18:12:55 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys! Q&A time
Guidelines
- I will try to answer the questions I know. Your question isn't wasted if I don't. It shows me what I need to ask around about.
- 1 question per subscriber, even for live shows
- No "are you a fan of?" "fantasy book this" "top 5" or "favorite" questions please! We try to keep these as newsworthy as possible
If you're a new subscriber, comment your question on the youtube video, or below.
For agg...
2023-01-06 18:04:13 +0000 UTC
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WWE is interested in a New Japan Pro Wrestling name who is in the news today... but it isn't who you might think.
Fightful Select has learned that higher ups within WWE have expressed interest internally in Hikuleo. Fightful has told that has been the word for "months," and we actually had heard that even prior to the Wrestle Kingdom show.
The news is pertinent, as Hikuleo is booked in a "loser leaves Japan" match against "Switchblade" Jay White in the immediate future. It's impor...
2023-01-06 02:33:14 +0000 UTC
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Vince McMahon is forcing his way back into WWE, and everyone was left in the dark about it.
For full context: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-vince-mcmahon-plans-return-wwe-and-pursue-sale-business.
Vince McMahon elected himself and former co-presidents and directors Michelle Wilson and George Barrios to the board, which will require ...
2023-01-05 23:04:02 +0000 UTC
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Ask Grapsody is back today at 5pm Eastern!!!
YOUTUBE LINK
https://youtu.be/A05voiXCgEQ
2023-01-05 21:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Fightful Select has learned the following coaches/producers for AEW Dynamite
- Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks: Dean Malenko
- Hangman Page/Jon Moxley: Christopher Daniels
- Acclaimed vs. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett: Pat Buck
- Tony Nese vs. Bryan Danielson, MJF segment: Jerry Lynn
- Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox: Ariya Daivari
- Jade Cargill & Red Velvet: Billy Gunn
- Darby Allin vs. Samoa Joe : Sonjay Dutt
Other notes
- Billy Gunn is...
2023-01-05 17:35:40 +0000 UTC
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- MLW is in the process of developing a revival of the MLW UNDERGROUND series, which originally premiered 20 years ago this spring. It would be a limited series type concept. The original MLW UNDERGROUND aired on regional sports networks and featured Joey Styles calling the action.
- Ben-K and YAMATO are coming to this week's MLW show. There will be more Dragon Gate talent announced for upcoming dates.
- Cesar Duran, the former Dario Cueto, is filming a movie.
- T...
2023-01-05 13:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Good news for fans in the UK. WWE is coming back for a huge PPV.
WWE's Money in the Bank PPV is headed to London, England on July 1 at the 02 Arena. It will be the first time that WWE had held Money in the Bank overseas.
This news will be announced publicly momentarily.
2023-01-05 12:00:03 +0000 UTC
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MLW has brought in a highly touted indie name.
Fightful Select has learned that AKIRA has signed with Major League Wrestling and will be starting soon. We learned that this has been in the works for months, dating back to at least early November.
AKIRA, who was originally out of the midwest but has relocated to the northeast, is making his name on both the independent and death match scene, in addition to working shoot-style matches. He's worked matches for GCW, Prestige, Be...
2023-01-05 04:44:37 +0000 UTC
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Fightful has learned of the following AEW Dynamite plans for tonight. As is the case with anything, plans and lineups can change. For those asking, we are not sure how often we'll have these.
THESE PLANS, AS WELL AS WWE PLANS ARE NEVER COMPLETE SCRIPTS -- MORE PEOPLE WILL BE THERE!
PLEASE BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS!!!
- Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho
- Hangman Adam Page update
- Tag Titles: ...
2023-01-05 00:16:31 +0000 UTC
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- Fightful Select was told that as of this afternoon, Saraya's mystery partner wasn't "actually" set to be revealed on tonight's AEW Dynamite. However, we were told that a promo from her or Britt would make it pretty evident. As with anything, things can change, especially something of that nature.
- It has been reiterated to us that there will be more WWE 2K news coming in January.
- Karl Anderson vs. Tama Tonga was originally scheduled to go about 8 minutes, it ended up ...
2023-01-04 23:03:42 +0000 UTC
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The Young Bucks helped start All Elite Wrestling, and it looks like they're going to be around for quite some time.
Fightful Select has learned that Matt and Nick Jackson, the Young Bucks have been in discussions with All Elite Wrestling about new contracts. We don't have details, terms, or know if they've been signed, but them being in discussions has made its way through the locker room.
The nature and length of All Elite Wrestling contracts has been the subject of much confusio...
2023-01-04 22:06:58 +0000 UTC
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SRS and Jimmy Van party on!
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/FDibalJc3sk
2023-01-04 20:33:01 +0000 UTC
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Some exclusive notes from NJPW below. Feel free to use the comments for live discussion.
- We were told the Karl Anderson vs. Tama Tonga match isn't expected to get much time, with one source indicating they'd be shocked if it went much over ten minutes.
- Cash Wheeler arrived very late, as he highlighted on Twitter.
- Most foreign talent flew out Sunday and Monday in order to make it in time.
- We're told to expect to get more details of Sasha Banks/Merced...
2023-01-04 06:59:44 +0000 UTC
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We're hours away from Sasha Banks, aka Mercedes appearing at New Japan's Pro Wrestling Kingdom... doing what, many don't know.
We're told that upon arriving in Japan, Mercedes has been out socializing and in good spirits based on those that we spoke to. There were attempts from media outlets to land interviews, but were told that would be up to Mercedes herself if she wished to do them. In speaking with some names in conjunction with the event, they know that Mercedes will be there, but...
2023-01-04 00:50:17 +0000 UTC
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- Sasha Banks, WWE/NJPW/AEW
- Okada
- Will Ospreay
- Rocky Romero
- How Karl Anderson NJPW/WWE deal unfolded
- AEW changes
- Seth Rollins update
- SRS' WWE Raw thoughts
- Cody Deaner, Shazza, Nyla Rose
2023-01-04 00:16:08 +0000 UTC
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AEW is set to change a lot of things in 2023 for their broadcast, but their theme song isn't one of them, well at least entirely.
Grapsody's Will Washington has learned from multiple AEW sources that "Light the Fuse" will be staying on the top of the AEW Dynamite broadcast, albeit an altered version. Washington was told that it was a "slight remix" of the No One Hero song.
Tony Khan previously told Grapsody that there will be set and production changes that are happening, but reit...
2023-01-03 19:22:55 +0000 UTC
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Raw Producers:
- Bloodline promo: Road Dogg
- Raw Women's Title: Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss: Petey Williams
- Music City Street Fight: Elias vs. Solo Sikoa: Abyss
-Kevin Owens & Street Profits vs. Usos & Sami Zayn: Jason Jordan
- Dexter Lumis vs. Chad Gable: Shane Helms
- Dakota Kai vs. Becky Lynch & Michin: Tyson Kidd
- US Title: Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory: Adam Pearce
Backstage News, More
2023-01-03 18:59:00 +0000 UTC
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Happy New Year, Fightful Faithful, and prayers up for Damar Hamlin.
Alexa Bliss disqualified herself in her Women's Title Match, because spooky stuff.
The Bloodline continued their "hostile takeover" of Raw, because the writing staff is out of ideas.
They're leaning REALLY hard into the idea of Cody Rhodes becoming champion, which probably means he won't.
Not sure what happens in the Seth/Theory match, because it hasn't started yet. ...
2023-01-03 03:41:13 +0000 UTC
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