fightful

Mark Henry Talks AEW, MLW, Nation, Theme Music, Recruiting

The World’s Strongest Man and WWE Hall of Famer, Mark Henry, caught up with Fightful for an exclusive interview. Henry spoke with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, as they discussed multiple topics. 

The conversation began with Sean mentioning to Mark that he had confirmed our report regarding his contract status with AEW, which ended in May. Sean mentioned the ball must have been rolling fast to get him involved with MLW’s Battle Riot. Mark described to Sean how the process came ab...

NXT Backstage Notes From Last Night's Show

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following backstage notes from the June 4th edition of NXT.

- Shawn Michaels stepped in for Jacy Jayne during rehearsals. For those questioning why Shawn only steps in for surprises, we are asking.

- Jayne’s injury return came ahead of schedule, even potential timetables that included the protective mask that fans saw on NXT.

- No rundowns were distributed for this week’s show, with sever...

Details on NJPW contract set to expire soon

A former WWE star is currently slated to hit free agency soon.

Shane Haste, also known as SLAPJACK, has been with NJPW for over the last couple of years. However, as things stand, he’s set to become a free agent at some point in June as his contract is set to expire. We’ve not yet learned if the two sides have engaged in contract talks.

Haste and his TMDK partner Mikey Nicholls dropped the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships to Guerrillas of Destiny’s El Phantasmo ...

The List Goes On 6/5

SRS and Jimmy Van are back for The List Goes On!

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/uTha2bGcEl8

Select Portions: Ospreay, WWE Name Backstage At AEW, More

• We're told Will Ospreay has the week off this week, after working Double or Nothing, Dynamite, Collision last week. He's expected to return next week.

• Britt Baker was in LA last week, but we're not told if she was at the AEW Dynamite tapings.

• Fightful has an interview with Mark Henry today, and GCW Champion Mance Warner tomorrow. Let us know if you have any questions.

• Parker Boudreaux recently started with Ohio Valley Wrestling upon hitting...

  2024-06-05 16:07:32 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: Jinder Mahal Set For Big Indie Booking

Jinder is about to hinder Black Label Pro's roster.

Now going by the name "The Maharaja" Raj Dhesi, Jinder Mahal is announced for one of his first independent dates after his WWE release. He'll be at Black Label Pro's Old Habits Die Screaming on July 26. Thus far an opponent has not been announced.

Fightful Select reported recently that he was expected to get heavy interest on the indies.

 Black Label Pro's Old Habits Die Screaming takes place July 26 at Logan Square ...

NXT Scoops Thread

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following details for tonight’s NXT. This article will be further updated throughout the night should we learn more, as always, creative plans are subject to change.

Previously Announced:

• Jordynne Grace vs. Stevie Turner

• NXT Heritage Cup: Tony D'Angelo (c) vs. Damon Kemp

• Thea Hail vs. Jazmyn Nyx

• An inside look at Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice

• North American Women...

  2024-06-04 21:57:05 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE Post: TNA IMPACT to also air on TNA+

Fightful Select has learned that TNA will be releasing the following information regarding IMPACT's weekly show, which will still air on AXS as well:

"TNA Wrestling confirmed today that its flagship weekly TV show, iMPACT!, will air at 8 p.m. EST on the TNA+ app in addition to AXS TV, beginning June 6. iMPACT! formerly aired on-demand on TNA+ at 10 p.m. EST.

Streaming iMPACT! at 8 p.m. EST is included in all TNA+ plans, which also includes next week’s Against All O...

Another WWE contract coming up this summer

We’ve learned of another WWE contract that’s set to expire, but this one isn’t a surprise.

Shortly after Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp and Corey Brennan reported that Angel Garza’s WWE contract was set to expire on August 1, we were able to confirm that Humberto Carrillo’s contract is also set to expire on the same day. 

Much like with his tag team partner Angel Garza, we’re told WWE is interested in retaining Humberto and an offer has been made, with the two ...

WWE Raw Producers, Backstage News

• We've asked around about Chad Gable's contract status. As of last week, it was set to expire this Friday. He's booked for next week's Clash at the Castle event, however. We'll let you know when we hear more.

• No big surprise here, but sources we spoke to within WWE were very happy with Bron Breakker's performance and Adam Pearce's interactions with him.

• There have been ongoing conversations with Natalya, Chad Gable and Angel Garza for new WWE contracts. 2024-06-04 14:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 6/3 | One Big Sob

A truly mediocre episode of wrestling television, with the exception of one truly FANTASTIC match.

So yes, we'll talk about the Liv & Dominick telenovela, and the Chad Gable fiasco, and the Women's Tag Title match being ruined by a third, unrelated team that hasn't had a televised win since they were in NXT, almost a year ago. And we'll also talk about Braun's new shirt. It's a real tearjerker.

We'll talk about all of that, and more, and we'll give props to that one match that...

WWE Raw Plans

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for WWE Raw, subject to change. Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.

• Liv Morgan promo

• Ludwig Kaiser vs. Sheamus

• Finn Balor vs. Dragon Lee

• Bron Breakker vs. Ricochet

• Kiana James vs. Natalya

• SPOILER MATCH

• Bianca Belair-Jade Cargill promo

• SPOILER TAG MATCH

• Jey Uso promo

• Au...

  2024-06-03 23:36:35 +0000 UTC View Post

Select Portions: Chad Gable, Jake Hager, More

• As revealed on Fightful Select's Backstage Report Podcast today, Chad Gables deal is set to expire Friday. WWE is obviously interested in retaining him.

• Mark Henry is expected to appear for MLW again in the future.

• Fightful will have a presence at this weekend's Black Label Pro show, as well as WWE Clash at the Castle, AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, WWE Money in the Bank, TNA Slammiversary, and WWE Summerslam.

• Because we've been posed this q...

  2024-06-03 18:47:15 +0000 UTC View Post

Details on another WWE contract coming up soon, details

Another WWE contract is set to expire this summer, Fightful Select has confirmed.

Angel Garza, a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion is set to have his WWE contract expire on August 1, Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp and Corey Brennan have learned after Lucha Libre Online reported recently that his deal was coming up soon. Garza also is a former 24/7 Champion and has been performing with Legado Del Fantasma of late.

We’ve learned that the two sides have been negotiating and tha...

SRS Backstage Report 6/3: Becky Lynch, MJF, WWE contracts, More!

SRS gives you the week recap of scoops

• Becky Lynch, Chad Gable, Ricochet, Jeff Hardy, Ethan Page contracts!

• MLW news

• Who Killed WCW?

• Santana

• Jordynne Grace/NXT/TNA

• Names backstage in AEW

• New wrestling sitcom

• MJF

• Brooks Jensen

Fightful Weekender (6/2): GCW, JCW, MLW, NXT LEVEL UP, NWA, ROH SPOILERS

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

- GCW: "Tournament Of Survival 9" + "Cage Of Survival 3" results

- JCW: "After Hours 4" results

- MLW: "Battle Riot VI" results

- NXT Level Up (5/31) results

- NWA: "Powerrr"(5/28) results

- ROH HONORCLUB SPOILERS (55 min-end)

Wrestling-based TV show in works for FX

Another TV show based on pro wrestling is in the works. 

Those familiar with the project claim that a pitch was sold to FX recently in the form of a half hour comedy series that is set in the world of the Los Angeles independent wrestling scene. The idea of the direction of the show was “Dazed and Confused meets The Wrestler.”

Luke Hawx is one of the names attached to it. We’ve learned that the project is hoping to use real wrestlers for the show, and is set in modern d...

Who Killed WCW Creator Talks Ted Turner, How They Use WWE Footage, More

The creator of Vice TV’s docuseries Dark Side of the Ring and upcoming four-part miniseries Who Killed WCW, Evan Husney, joined Fightful for an exclusive interview. 

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp began the interview by asking Evan what led him to the WCW project. Evan said, “Anytime we were doing a new season of Dark Side of the Ring, we were putting it out on social media, what do you guys want to see on the next season.”

Evan would say nine times out of ten, ...

WWE name, others backstage at MLW Battle Riot

Some interesting names are backstage at MLW Battle Riot tonight.

Fightful has learned that WWE Superstar Xavier Woods and former TNA producer David Sahadi are at the show backstage.

Paul Walter Hauser, Violent J, and Chris Danger are among the interesting names in the Battle Riot match. We'd learned there would be additional surprises on the show.

The show is streaming on Youtube tonight: ...

Former WWE talent backstage at AEW Dynamite

A guy was backstage at AEW Dynamite this past week in Los Angeles. 

Feast your eyes on this scoop. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp can confirm that former WWE Superstar Mansoor was seen backstage at this weeks’ AEW Dynamite in LA. We’ve not learned if he was there visiting, speaking with anyone specifically, or just aiming to gain some sweet internet clout.

Mansoor has been working the independent scene since his WWE release, which has included a highly publicized trip...

Select Portions: WWE Smackdown News, AEW news, more

• We’ve heard of Ethan Page pulling out of some of his planned independent dates that are scheduled for later this year. 

• For those wondering where Hikaru Shida has been, we’re told there have been creative discussions for a possible upcoming return.

• Fightful will be present at this weekend's upcoming Black Label Pro Family Reunion show.

• The Guerrillas of Destiny are referred to as The Bloodline internally, as opposed to their NJPW n...

  2024-06-01 17:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: Former WWE Superstar Now A Free Agent

Reggie, Reginald, Scrypts, and now Sidney Akeem

Sidney Akeem, former WWE Superstar, is now a free agent, as his WWE contract has officially expired. Sidney has already taken numerous independent bookings, and said that his departure from WWE was amicable. The company decided to not renew his deal in recent months, a move he saw coming.

We're told that Sidney has already had talks with at least one televised wrestling company.

Becky Lynch now a free agent, more details

Becky Lynch is now a free agent.

As of midnight, Becky Lynch's WWE contract has expired and she is now a free agent for the first time in 11 years. Lynch had re-signed with the company back in 2021, and saw out her contract, and was largely wrapped up on WWE TV last week as she lost the World Title to Liv Morgan. We're told that WWE seemed aware that Lynch would look to take time off even before she won the World Title, but felt like it was a better approach for the story to have her ...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown 5/31 | A Lot Left In The Tank

Paul Heyman did a pretty good impression of me when he fully FREAKED OUT about how nobody important will listen to his very good ideas about wrestling.
If it's true what they say, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then thanks, Paul. Respect.

Also, Nia is the Queen, but Bayley has to deal with other things first. And Andrade, being from Latin America, must either join a Latino faction, or feud with one. There are no other options.

But the big news is that AJ Sty...

Brooks Jensen Update

Brooks Jensen isn't going anywhere, at least for the time being.

Earlier this week, Brooks posted his booking email and insinuated on social media that he was no longer with WWE.

In asking Brooks himself, Fightful Select's Corey Brennan was told to ask higher ups. Initially in asking around, Brennan was met with uncertainty around Brooks' behavior, including from other NXT talent. On May 31st at an NXT live event in Tampa, Brooks would appear, taking a seat at ringside that had p...

WWE Smackdown Plans

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Smackdown, subject to change

Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers

• Queen Nia Jax's coronation

• Tommaso Ciampa vs. Austin Theory

• Apollo Crews vs. Andrade

• SPOILER PROMO

• Guerrillas of Destiny vs. Street Profits

• SPOILER TAG MATCH

• AJ Styles promo

BACKSTAGE NEWS

• ...

  2024-05-31 23:43:28 +0000 UTC View Post

FREE POST: More on TNA Departures, upcoming dates.

There's been a bit of a shakeup at TNA Wrestling, and Fightful learned more.

Fightful confirmed that three employees were let go, confirming PWInsider's report that longtime producer David Sahadi was let go. We're told that he would be replaced.

In addition, Fightful confirmed that Lou D'Angeli was let go. D'Angeli was known as Lou E. Dangerously in ECW, and had served as VP of Marketing at Anthem Sports Group with TNA. He was also credited as being a primary reason why CM Punk w...

SRS Q&A 5/31: Almost 30 minutes of mailbag

• Mercedes/NJPW

• Contracts

• Saraya

• TNA news

• UFC 302

• NXT/TNA

• AEW production

• Athena

• Lots more!

LA 2023 Photo Gallery: Another Better Late Than Never Edition

This one is embarrassingly late.

All photos taken by Sean Ross Sapp, and are not intended for commercial reuse or without permission on bigger IG pages and the like. 

Ricochet's WWE Contract set to expire soon, more details

WWE has another contract set to expire this Summer.

Fightful Select, along with PWN's Viper, have learned that Ricochet's WWE contract is set to expire this Summer. It was reported a few years ago in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Ricochet signed a five-year deal in 2019. As things stand, that deal is set to expire this Summer.

Ricochet is expected to get heavy interest from virtually every company able to afford his services. AEW International Champion Will Ospreay was ve...