fightful

Killer Kelly, Matt Rehwoldt set for horror short film

A couple of familiar faces in the wrestling world are set for a new short film.

Fightful Select has learned that both Killer Kelly and Matthew Rehwoldt (aka Aiden English) will appear in the upcoming Arachnid short film, directed, written and produced by Luke Paron.

Kelly is slated to make her film debut and is in a starring role, while Matthew Rehwoldt will be appearing in a supporting role as a therapist. Lacey Creighton, who played Tammy Sytch in Dark Side of The Ring, is also...

Shayna Baszler talks Josh Barnett, Rousey match, More

Fightful Select caught up with former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler before her Bloodsport match was announced.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp began the interview by informing Shayna that he did not beat Shazza McKenzie at BLP’s Slamilton event. Sean admitted he did not listen to Shayna’s advice.

Sean brought up that since the last time they spoke, the merger between UFC and the WWE happened. Sean would ask Shayna if she would be open to a cross-promo...

MLW interested in bringing in Mauro Ranallo

Mamma mia, Mauro Ranallo could be headed back to pro wrestling.

The longtime combat sports and pro wrestling commentator has been absent from the pro wrestling scene for quite a while, but that could be about to change.

Fightful Select has learned that MLW has been in talks with Ranallo about possibly appearing for the MLW brand. There isn't a done deal, but there is interest on MLW's side. MLW owner Court Bauer and Mauro had worked together on a Strikeforce project in the past. ...

Identity of hooded figure on NXT

A HOODED FIGURE appeared on NXT this week as a distraction during the Trick Williams/Carmelo Hayes story.

The figure appeared on the stage, pretending to be Carmelo Hayes, allowing Carmelo to attack Trick Williams. Fightful Select has learned that head NXT referee Darryl Sharma aka Adrian Butler played the role.

You can see the shoes in the picture Darryl Sharma posted today, which were the same as those that the masked man wore last night. Completely separate of that, NXT sources...

Motor City Machine Guns TNA contracts are up soon, more details

PWInsider reported that some indicated to them that Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley’s TNA contracts may be up soon. The sources that we spoke to claimed that it would be within the month, but inquiries to both Shelley and Sabin directly went unreturned. However, sources near TNA did tell us that they believe it was true. We’ve also heard a little more.

We’re told that TNA’s offers of late have been categorically different than what many were expecting, especially after some of the ...

Select Portions: WWE Raw Producers, Notes

• For those asking about Imperium, Ludwig Kaiser hasn't been in action the last couple of weeks.

• We don't yet have an update on Asuka, but she was pulled from this past weekend's live events.

• A reminder, tonight is effectively a three hour AEW Dynamite, though the last hour is technically AEW Rampage. We'll be doing our post-show after the third hour.

• Rhea Ripley's Dominik Koala shirt is a custom and sadly not for sale.

Oba Femi getting major praise within WWE

NXT has a litany of stars ready to be the next generation of WWE superstars and one that has garnered a lot of fan support is NXT North American Champion Oba Femi.

Fans are not the only ones impressed with Femi however. Fightful Select's Corey Brennan was told that officials in NXT have been impressed with Femi's performances since becoming NXT North American Champion, with one NXT source noting Femi is expected to do big things in WWE, describing him as someone WWE view as a future WWE...

NXT Scoops Thread

Fightful Select's Corey Brennan has learned the following plans for tonight's NXT, subject to change

Previously Announced:

Triple Threat Tag Team Qualifier: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger

Triple Threat Tag Team Qualifier: Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. No Quarter Catch Crew (TBD & TBD)

- Heritage Cup Match: One Member Of No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp, or Myles Borne) (c) vs. Riley Osborne

- Roxan...

Matt Hardy update

Matt Hardy was at WWE Raw on March 18, but was just visiting.

Fightful noted on Monday's WWE Raw post-show that Matt's wife Reby posted a TikTok video of the two at WWE Raw in Raleigh, North Carolina not far from where they live. This fueled speculation that Hardy was there meeting with WWE, but we're told that isn't the case.

Hardy is still technically under All Elite Wrestling contract, and the two sides have had dialogue. On Monday, a friend of Reby's invited the two to sit in...

Alex & Kate SOUR GRAPS: Raw 3/18 | The Church of LDS

Cody Rhodes has some very mean things to say about Dwayne's genitalia.

Becky Lynch tries to finally overcome the immovable force..

Candice continues to be very mean.

Gable might not be getting his WrestleMania moment, but at least he gets to be a jerk to Sami Zayn! So that's something.

But really the headline of tonight's show is that Awesome Truth are in the Mania Ladder match, and the Creed Brothers are not.

Nothing else matters.
Everything sucks. Let's talk...

WWE Raw Plans For Tonight

Fightful Select has learned the following plans for tonight's WWE Raw, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who with to avoid spoilers. 

- Jey Uso promo

- WrestleMania Qualifier: DIY vs. Creed Bros

- Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae

- Cody Rhodes promo

- Ricochet vs. Dominik Mysterio

- IC Title Contract Signing

- WrestleMania Qualifier: Awesome Truth vs. Indus Sher

- Drew Mc...

Salina De La Renta now creative director of MLW's women's division

Salina De La Renta is back in the fold at MLW, and has already started to rise through the ranks in the company. 

Fightful Select has learned that since November Salina has been producing a lot of the pre-tapes involving the women’s division as part of her taking on a larger role in talent relations. Since the fall, she’s been largely running the creative end of the women’s featherweight division.

Now, Fightful Select can confirm that Salina has been promoted to creativ...

Shawn Spears Talks Leaving AEW, Joining WWE, More

Fightful Select caught up with one of WWE’s newest free-agent acquisitions, NXT Superstar Shawn Spears, for an exclusive interview. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp and Spears had a lengthy conversation, and here are our notes from it. Also, Sean Ross Sapp will be referred to as SRS for clarity.

Shawn Spears confirmed his departure from All Elite Wrestling was an amicable split. He said being professional in his career is necessary because it would be hard for anyone to say he has not been...

SRS Backstage Report Podcast 3/18: Mercedes, Spears, More

- Mercedes Mone/AEW/NJPW/WWE

- Shawn Spears on leaving AEW and returning to WWE

- Gabe Kidd re-signs with NJPW

- Smackdown and Raw news

- Swerve

- Candice LeRae

- Garrett Borden

- WWE Raw changes

- NXT news

- Booker/Punk non story

THIS. IS. CINEMA? : Leprechaun: Origins | "Starring" Hornswoggle

It's St. Patrick's Day!

To celebrate, Alex watched the unnecessary 2014 Leprechaun "reboot", produced by WWE Studios and starring Dylan Postl, aka "Hornswoggle" as the titular Leprechaun.

And lemme tell ya, Warwick Davis he ain't.

As a matter of fact, this reboot could not hold any less of a resemblance to the original Leprechaun movies if it was trying. 

Which, I guess it might have been, actually.

But IS IT CINEMA? 

Kate will be the final arbite...

NJPW gets re-signing

New Japan Pro Wrestling is retaining a big name for their future.

Fightful Select reported back in January that Gabriel Kidd's contract with NJPW was set to expire later that month. We can confirm that it actually expired, and Kidd had been working without a contract for a month and a half. This included the major cage match with Bullet Club War Dogs in February and New Japan Cup matches in March.

However, we're told that as of this past weekend, Gabe Kidd has re-signed with New J...

Recent WWE signing made pitch to be in Royal Rumble

The WWE Royal Rumble has come and gone, but didn't run back a once-fondly received moment even though the talent involved is back in the fold.

During Fightful podcasts that led up to the 2024 Royal Rumble, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp noted that he hoped to see Shawn Spears/Tye Dillinger return to the company as the number 10 entrant, playing off of his "Perfect 10" persona that he formerly portrayed.

When speaking with Shawn Spears for his first post-AEW interview, Spears confirmed ...

Fightful Weekender (3/17): SHAYNA BASZLER AT BLOODSPORT, REVLOVER, ICW NHB, DPW, NXT LEVEL UP, GLORY PRO, NWA, IWE, ROH SPOILERS

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

- Shayna Baszler competing at GCW Bloodsport

- REVOLVER: "Ready Or Not!" results

- ICW NHB: "No Holds Barred Vol. 60" results

- DPW Live 5 results

- NXT Level Up (3/15) results

- GLORY PRO: "Ascend" (Ep. 27) results

- NWA: "Powerrr" (3/12) results

- IWE: "Never Say Die" results

- ROH *HONORCLUB SPOILERS* (57 min-end)

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: AEW Collision 3/16 | Terminal Illness

Tonight was truly One For The Sickos.

Danielson vs Shibata in a Certified Sickos DREAM MATCH.
Claudio vs Lance Archer.
Kyle O'Reilly's return match, vs Bounty Hunter Bryan Keith.
Garcia vs Moriarty, JUST FOR SHOOTS AND GIGGLES.

Plus, Julia Hart defends the TBS Title against Trish Adora, and the House of Black in Tag Tournament action against The Infantry.

Kate hasn't had a chance to talk about the new Tag Tournament Bracket, so that should be something.

Plus, ...

News on WWE, Bloodsport, Prior Attempts

Shayna Baszler is working Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, in a major development.

Fightful Select revealed Friday, March 15 that multiple WWE talent were scheduled to compete at Bloodsport, which is technically promoted by GCW. This came to the shock of many, as AEW talent is also featured on Bloodsport, and WWE has rarely permitted talent to work independent shows.

We’ve learned much more behind this, GCW/WWE, and efforts that were made in the past. Not only was Baszler not the on...

Backstage Smackdown News, Producers, More

- In regards to Darby Allin's injury, Jon Alba of SNYtv, FiteTV, Strictly Business and the Extreme Life had heard Wednesday night he was on crutches after the show, and openly discussing that he got injured

- Fightful is running interviews with Shawn Spears, Shayna Baszler and Chris Danger over the next week.

- The Rock's concert was only scheduled for one segment internally, but those backstage told us "of course" they figured it would go longer. Brian Gewirtz has claimed ...

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review & Rampage WatchAlong 3/15 | Singin' The Blues

The Rock sang a song for some reason, and then he cut the same promo tonight that he cut on social media earlier today.

The Mania Tag Qualifiers on SmackDown AREN'T Qualifiers, apparently, and it looks like they're part of some kind of mini-tournament? A tournament, I should add, that MAKES ZERO FRIGGING SENSE AT ALL.

Bayley is due to get her revenge on Dakota Kai tonight ... in the only women's match of the evening.

Rampage has stuff on it, let's watch it together while I g...

Smackdown Plans

Fightful has learned the following plans for tonight's Smackdown, subject to change.

Please be cognizant of those who wish to not see spoilers on social media

- The Rock concert

- Mania Title Match Qualifier: Legado Del Fantasma vs. LWO

- Dakota Kai interview

- SPOILER SEGMENT

- Randy Orton vs. Grayson Waller

- Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar

- Mania Title Match Qualifier: New Catch Republic vs. Pretty Deadly

- Dakota Kai vs. Bayley

2024-03-15 23:59:45 +0000 UTC View Post

Free Post: Update On Katsuyori Shibata

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Bryan Danielson is set for AEW Collision.

Fightful has learned that Shibata was forced to return to Japan in November because of urgent visa issues, which is why he dropped the ROH Pure Title to Wheeler YUTA. We were told at that point that Tony Khan still had big hopes and plans for him, and that Shibata was very happy in AEW.

Shibata's visa situation got rectified this week, and the decision was made to put him in a big match with Bryan Danielson on Collisi...

Major GCW/WWE News

In a major development, we're told that multiple WWE talent will be competing at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport.

Since publishing this article, Josh Barnett has revealed Shayna Baszler will compete.

SRS Q&A March 15!

- CM Punk/Booker T

- Giulia

- WrestleMania

- Mercedes

- TNA backstage

- Brock Lesnar

- Much more

- NJPW

Reactions To Booker T/CM Punk Non-Story

CM Punk was backstage at this week's NXT, and as previously reported, kept a lower profile than his previous visits to the developmental brand. Earlier this week, Booker T shared a story on his Hall Of Fame podcast, claiming that he and Punk had "almost gotten into it" backstage at the taping. 

In speaking to sources within NXT, Fightful's Corey Brennan was told there was a feeling of skepticism regarding Booker's comments, with no sources being aware of the confrontation prior to ...

NXT New: CM Punk, Carmelo Hayes, More

Fightful Select's Corey Brennan has learned several details on this week's NXT show.

-CM Punk was backstage at this week's show, but kept a much lower profile than previous visits. Many within NXT were not aware of his presence until photos began making the rounds. 

 - Joaquin Wilde was originally supposed to get much more distance on his dive, leaving OTM to recover to catch him in time. Joaquin continues to draw praise for his willingness to partake in such large spots...

Ask Grapsody! Today @ 5 PM EST! Get Your Questions In!

Phil & Righteous Reg are back for a new edition of Ask Grapsody! So, get your questions in!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwyAdYf6I1Q

Candice LeRae On Her WWE Return, Viral Lumbar Check Video

Fightful Select caught up with Candice LeRae at a Boys and Girls Club of America event associated with the WWE.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp asked Candice if Johnny Gargano was not at the event because he loathed children. Candice laughed and said, “I think, loves children like, especially now having our kid he likes be like he's the he's a big kid himself.”

Sean would ask Candice, “How can he like children if he raises your child to be a Browns fan?” Candice would reply, �...