Browsing: Wrestling

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WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura had the wrestling world talking following the recent WWE tour of Japan that saw Nakamura make a number of references to the President of New Japan Pro Wrestling, his long-time friend Hiroshi Tanahashi. Nakamura even shouted Tanahashi out in a post-match promo, leading many to wonder if it’s possible that Nakamura will be Tanahashi’s final opponent when “The Ace” retires from wrestling at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. Various things would have to fall into place in order for it to happen, but Dave Meltzer stated on “Wrestling Observer Radio” that it isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“I would just say, it’s not a done deal right now. Could it happen? I mean Nakamura has in his contract he can do stuff in Japan, that was part of the deal he signed. So it’s a weird political thing, because obviously New Japan and AEW work very closely together.” Meltzer noted that a WWE Superstar has appeared on a New Japan show since the company established a partnership with AEW, that being Karl Anderson at Wrestle Kingdom 17, who was under contract with WWE when he dropped the NEVER Openweight Championship to Tama Tonga. However, Meltzer claimed that was a very difficult match to pull off due to the negotiations backstage.

With that said, Meltzer believes that all of the talk of AEW President Tony Khan being angry with New Japan potentially bringing Nakamura in likely won’t happen because, at the end of the day, it’s Tanahashi’s decision. “My gut is that, and I could be dead wrong, but even though WWE and AEW are feuding and all the stuff WWE does to AEW constantly. I do think that Tony Khan, I don’t know. People are going ‘oh he’s going to get really mad’ I don’t know. Maybe he will but I don’t think so. I just think it’s Tanahashi’s retirement and if Tanahashi wants to retire against Nakamura and they can pull that off, I think it should be okay.”

Please credit “Wrestling Observer Radio” when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SHOW SUMMARY:In our latest episode of Alan4L’s ProWres Paradise, PWTorch columnist Alan4L compares and contrasts the recent big shows in Sumo Hall presented by New Japan and Pro Wrestling Noah featuring a few excellent matches, title changes, interesting (questionable) booking, and some rising stars amidst the usual frustrations that both companies offer. The shows provided a great opportunity to see where the two promotions stand against each other, and we took advantage of it – including an impromptu wrestler draft! From there, Alan gives his analysis on AEW’s tremendous WrestleDream event and how that has formed his initial FSM 50 thoughts. Who are the front runners for the wrestler of the year? Listen and find out! Plus, we go back to April 27, 1987 and what might well be the greatest day in wrestling history as fans in Memphis, Tokyo, and Osaka were treated to some incredible scenes from the likes of Inoki, Lawler, Nagayo, Dump, and more.

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AEW veteran Billy Gunn might be over 60, but heâ€s not hanging up the boots just yet.

During an appearance on Fuel & Flex, the WWE Hall of Famer opened up about what drives him to stay in the ring—and what keeps him away from certain opponents. Gunn admitted that the physical toll of wrestling for over three decades is catching up with him, particularly his hips.

“Wrestling move-wise, thatâ€s all they wanna see (the Fame-Asser). But my hips started hurting. And I was like, ‘What is that from? Oh yeah, 35 years of landing on the same spot night after night.â€â€

His biggest concern isnâ€t about staying relevant—itâ€s about avoiding injury that could keep him away from the gym.

“My biggest fear is that when I wrestle now, what I have to get past is, ‘God I hope I donâ€t get hurt, I wonâ€t be able to train.†Thatâ€s like the number one thing that gets in my head, is like, ‘Okay, I donâ€t wanna do a bunch of this because if I get hurt or something tweaks, then I wonâ€t be able to go to the gym and lift, and if I canâ€t do that, I will lose my mind.â€â€

Though he admits his in-ring style is more nostalgia-based now, Gunn insists heâ€s still particular about who he wrestles—and isnâ€t shy about turning down bad ideas from inexperienced talent.

“I donâ€t not work, but Iâ€m very particular of who I work with, because nowadays people just go to wrestling school and think that theyâ€re John Cena for some reason.â€

“They think theyâ€re that good. And all of a sudden they say, ‘Hey Iâ€m gonna do this,†and I go, ‘You ainâ€t doing that to me. Iâ€m not trusting you to turn me upside down and hope that you can hold me when youâ€re 100 pounds soaking wet. Thatâ€s insane. I donâ€t even know why you thought thatâ€s a thing.â€â€

For Gunn, itâ€s about being smart and not doing “crazy things†just to prove something. Heâ€s more focused on delivering for fans who grew up with him than trying to keep up with the current generationâ€s risks.

“I still pretty much do everything that I do. I never really did a lot. Now, when I get in the ring, itâ€s more for nostalgia purposes, for people to see – itâ€s more for parents that have kids that go, ‘Hey, this is the guy I grew up on, and I can still see him live.â€â€

Billy Gunn isnâ€t trying to be the flashiest guy in the ring anymore—heâ€s just trying to be the smartest. And at this stage in his career, heâ€s earned the right to call his own shots.

Do you think veterans like Billy Gunn should be more protected in the ring—or is it time for them to step aside? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

October 20, 2025 10:17 am

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AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn continues to wrestle at the age of 61. Although he hasn’t competed in an AEW ring since May 2024, he remains active on the independent circuit and as a backstage coach for AEW. In a recent interview, Gunn addressed his current in-ring philosophy, his main fear about competing, and his pickiness regarding his opponents.

Speaking on the “Fuel & Flex” podcast, Gunn revealed that his primary concern when he steps in the ring isn’t the match itself, but the risk of an injury preventing him from his true passion: training at the gym.

“My biggest fear is that when I wrestle now, what I have to get past is, ‘God I hope I donâ€t get hurt, I wonâ€t be able to train.†Thatâ€s like the number one thing that gets in my head, is like, ‘Okay, I donâ€t wanna do a bunch of this because if I get hurt or something tweaks, then I wonâ€t be able to go to the gym and lift, and if I canâ€t do that, I will lose my mind.â€â€

Gunn acknowledged that after a 35-year career, he is feeling the effects of his famous “Fame-Asser” finishing move on his hips. He now views his role in the ring as serving a “nostalgia purpose” for fans who grew up watching him and now want to share that experience with their own children.

“I still pretty much do everything that I do. I never really did a lot. Now, when I get in the ring, itâ€s more for nostalgia purposes, for people to see – itâ€s more for parents that have kids that go, ‘Hey, this is the guy I grew up on, and I can still see him live.â€â€

Because of his age and his desire to stay healthy for the gym, Gunn admitted he has become very selective about his opponents, expressing a lack of trust in younger, inexperienced talent who want to try dangerous moves.

“I donâ€t do a bunch of stuff. I donâ€t not work, but Iâ€m very particular of who I work with, because nowadays people just go to wrestling school and think that theyâ€re John Cena for some reason. They think theyâ€re that good. And all of a sudden they say, ‘Hey Iâ€m gonna do this,†and I go, ‘You ainâ€t doing that to me. Iâ€m not trusting you to turn me upside down and hope that you can hold me when youâ€re 100 pounds soaking wet. Thatâ€s insane. I donâ€t even know why you thought thatâ€s a thing.†I stay away from just doing crazy things that I donâ€t need to do.â€

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Karrion Kross has reverted to his previous moniker, Killer Kross, after his WWE exit this summer.

Kross has been taking independent bookings lately, with his frame of mind evidently being to play the field. He has openly admitted his interest in making a WWE return. However, the former NXT Champion also did not shy away from discussing the lack of interest higher-ups had in his growing fanbase and the connection with fans he was able to cultivate in 2025.

On X/Twitter, a clip of Killer Kross throwing a female star literally through the ceiling has gone viral. It was during a fight produced by XICW Detroit (Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling).

In the clip, Kross was hit on the back by the female star with a steel chair. He no-sold the move, before knocking down the chair with his head, and lifting the woman in the air with her head going through the ceiling.

Killer Kross’ wife, Scarlett Bordeaux, also reacted to the clip and stayed in character to note that their antagonists deserved what was coming to them.

If you watch the entire match, itâ€s pretty clear she and her whole crew deserved to be launched through that ceiling,” Bordeaux wrote.

If you watch the entire match, itâ€s pretty clear she and her whole crew deserved to be launched through that ceiling 😂 https://t.co/HUzr5dQpYQ

— Scarlett Bordeaux (@Lady_Scarlett13) October 19, 2025

The Harbinger of Doom had revealed after parting ways with WWE that he was offered a contract before his exit, but it was not satisfactory. In the end, he left the door open for a future return.

Killer Kross And Scarlett Bordeaux Clearly Articulate Their Frame Of Mind Regarding WWE Return And A Potential AEW Debut

In an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight recently, Killer Kross noted how “bizarre” his whole conversation was with regard to going back.

Scarlett Bordeaux claimed that if the power couple were to make an AEW debut, they were going to fly its flag. She also stated that whichever wrestling promotion they ultimately join, it would be their “home.”

I mean, Iâ€ll speak for myself. You could answer this separately, if you like. I donâ€t know. I donâ€t know what that door looks like, or whatâ€s even on the other side of it. Iâ€m still completely perturbed by the conversation that we had, it was so bizarre and strange and shocking,” Karrion Kross said.

Scarlett Bordeaux added, “If we ever go to AEW, weâ€re going to be flying the AEW flag. That is going to be our home forever. Whatever our next company is, thatâ€s it.”

Heading into the summer of 2025, Karrion Kross had a noteworthy feud with Sami Zayn, which ended up getting booked on WWE’s premium live events twice. Following their SummerSlam encounter, Kross was released out of nowhere.

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AEW WrestleDream 2025 delivered a massive night from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, but nothing stood out more than Mercedes Mone making history. The CEO walked into WrestleDream with the TBS Championship on the line and walked out with her 11th career title, officially setting a new record in pro wrestling.

Mone issued an open challenge at WrestleDream, and speculation swirled about who would step up. The answer came when Mina Shirakawa arrived as the ROH Womenâ€s Television Champion. That turned the bout into a title-for-title showdown, guaranteeing fans a new double champion before the night was over.

The match was physical from the start, with Mina taking control through her striking offense and working over Moneâ€s knee. Near falls and submission holds pushed the action to the limit. At one point, Mercedes dug into her bag of tricks, nailing a thumb to the eye before hitting the Statement Maker. Even after connecting with a Money Maker, she still couldnâ€t keep Mina down.

In the end, Mone pulled out a roll-up pin and used the ropes for leverage to secure the victory. Her win didnâ€t end quietly, as Kris Statlander stormed out immediately after to cut off her celebration and get revenge.

With the victory, Mercedes now stands alone in history, holding 11 recognized championship belts—surpassing Ultimo Guerreroâ€s previous record. To mark the milestone, she even updated her social media name to “Ultimo Mone.â€

Do you think Mercedes Moneâ€s record-breaking run proves sheâ€s the greatest of her era, or will someone else eventually top her reign of championships? Share your thoughts in the comments.

October 18, 2025 10:48 pm

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A veteran of the Japanese wrestling scene, Katsumi Sasazaki, has reportedly passed away from a bear attack.

The 60-year-old had worked as a referee for promotions such as All Japan Womenâ€s Wrestling and Marigold in Japan and was known as Katsumi Tiger. Though he seemed to have retired from the industry and had been working at an inn dubbed Semi Onsen in Kitakami, Iwate, recently.

According to Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun, Sasazaki went missing early on Thursday morning, when he was cleaning an outdoor bath by the Getogawa River alone. The police officers who responded to a missing persons complaint from the Inn manager found animal fur and bloodstains scattered near the bath alongside Sasazaki’s personal belongings, such as glasses and slippers.

A search party consisting of local police, city officials, and the local hunterâ€s association started looking for the wrestling veteran in the afternoon, but they had to call off the search after 30 minutes due to bad weather. A body believed to be of Sasazaki was discovered only 50 meters northwest of the hot spring inn when the search was resumed the next day.

This wasn’t the only bear attack in the area recently, as another man who had been picking mushrooms was found dead about 2 kilometers west of the Semi Onsen site last week, on October 8. After the latest incident, the search and rescue team killed an adult male Asiatic black bear near the area where the body was found.

Marigold promoter Rossy Ogawa paid tribute to Katsumi on X which you can see below:

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????…

— ???????Rossy Ogawa (@rossyogawa) October 17, 2025

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NXT is expanding its international reach again — and this time, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger are heading to Japan. The former NXT Tag Team Champions have officially been announced for Pro Wrestling NOAHâ€s Sunny Voyage card on October 26 in Kasukabe, Japan.

Walker and Ledger, who captured the NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver this past April and held them until August, will take on the high-flying duo of Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf. The match will be part of a stacked lineup and marks another chapter in NXTâ€s growing partnership with NOAH.

The card will stream live on Wrestle Universe at Midnight ET on Saturday, October 26 — which will be Sunday afternoon in Japan.

This move continues NXTâ€s trend of sending talent to compete in Japan. Last year, Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights took part in NOAHâ€s prestigious N-1 Victory Tournament. More recently, Charlie Dempsey and Harlem Lewis also made the trip for a series of NOAH shows, signaling WWEâ€s increasing willingness to showcase their developmental talent overseas.

Walker and Ledger have only been wrestling since 2022, but theyâ€ve made fast progress as a team. Their inclusion in this card proves WWE sees them as valuable prospects ready for international exposure.

Full Sunny Voyage Lineup:

• KENTA, Tetsuya Endo, Ulka Sasaki & HAYATA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya, Harutoki, Alejandro & Kai Fujimura
• Yoshiki Inamura vs. Shuji Kondo
• Naomichi Marufuji, Kenoh & Daiki Odashima vs. Masa Kitamiya, Takashi Sugiura & Tadasuke
• Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Dragon Bane & Alpha Wolf
• AMAKUSA vs. Junta Miyawaki vs. Black Menso-re
• Shuhei Taniguchi vs. Atsushi Kotoge
• Mohammed Yone & Hajime Ohara vs. Eita & Manabu Soya

With more NXT talent stepping into Japanese rings, fans are keeping a close eye on how these cross-promotional moves could reshape careers — and possibly hint at something bigger between WWE and NOAH.

October 17, 2025 11:40 am

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NXT tag team Hank Walker & Tank Ledger will experience Japan for the first time when they make their Pro Wrestling NOAH debut this month.

Hank & Tank will be in action at NOAH’s Sunny Voyage 2025 on October 26, taking on Dragon Bane & Alpha Wolf. The show is being held at Hodogaya Public Hall in Kanagawa and will be broadcast live on the Wrestle Universe streaming service.

📢 10/26 Kasukabe — New WWE NXT stars join the action!

SUNNY VOYAGE 2025
📅 10/26 (Sun) 1:00 PM Start / 12:00 PM Doors
🟠Saitama • Kasukabe Fureai Cube

Full card & event details ⤵ï¸
🔗 https://t.co/qyyjkTF92U#noah_ghc #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/5k6IQSSTnh

— PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noahglobal) October 17, 2025

With both being former college football players, Hank & Tank were put together as a babyface team in NXT starting in 2023. They had a four-month reign with the NXT Tag Team titles earlier this year.

WWE and Pro Wrestling NOAH have a working relationship that has seen NXT wrestlers like Charlie Dempsey, Harlem Lewis, Tavion Heights, and Josh Briggs travel to Japan and get more ring time working in a non-WWE environment. Yoshiki Inamura has also crossed over from NOAH to the NXT roster.

The October 26 NOAH event will be headlined by an eight-man tag match pitting KENTA, Ulka Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo & Hayata against Kaito Kiyomiya, Harutoki, Alejandro & Kai Fujimura.

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Maria Kanellis-Bennett will soon become a mother for the third time, but that doesn’t mean she’s finished in the world of pro wrestling. While the prospect of three children may leave some hanging up their boots for good, Maria made clear on X that she’ll be looking for a new ‘wrestling home’ once she and Mike’s next child arrives.

Maria’s post spawned a flurry of responses as fans shared their excitement for her eventual return to pro wrestling. Some argued that Maria should return to TNA Wrestling, where she is a former Knockouts Champion. Others pitched GCW or Major League Wrestling, while some suggested a return to WWE should be in order.

In April 2018, Maria and Mike welcomed their first child, a daughter named Fredrica “Freddie” Moon Bennett. In February 2020, the couple welcomed their son Carver Mars Bennett into the world. It was in June 2025 that Maria shared that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child.

Maria made her wrestling debut in 2004 as part of WWE’s Divas Search and has been a presence in the industry ever since. While she is currently focusing on her upcoming child, as well as her battle with skin cancer, fans haven’t seen the last of her in pro wrestling.

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