In a lengthy statement to PWInsider, ECW veteran Shane Douglas addressed the recent death of fellow wrestler Sabu. Here’s an excerpt: “We MUST change the conversation and broach into all of the contentious topics that are difficult to even discuss. Anything short of that will only prolong the repulsive current vicious cycle. And when that next death occurs, what will we all do in response? The exact same thing we’re doing today and… expecting a different outcome. I believe that’s what intelligent people call INSANITY! For my small part, I say screw that. Let’s work on a real solution. Imagine that, an actual recipe to fix and repair the root causes of this ongoing genocide. Let’s insist that all parties demand the same and require that no topic should be taboo. Anything less will be a travesty. Let’s make Sabu’s passing both the final acceptable death and the impetus for positive change. Shouldn’t Sabu’s incredible career, including all of those OMFG moments he so thrilled us with, be worth at least that? When the final history of professional wrestling is written, where will your loyalty lie? Will you be able to tell our grandkids the incredible and true story that was Sabu? Or will you merely be ready for the exact same discussion we’ve all had so many times before? Will your name be on that right side of history? What will Sabu’s legacy be? Will these ongoing untimely deaths continue to be, ahem, acceptable?”
Here’s the updated list of dates John Cena is working on his final tour. (WWE)
- May 24: Saturday Night’s Main Event – Tampa, FL
- May 30: SmackDown – Knoxville, TN
- June 6: SmackDown – Bakersfield, CA
- June 7: Money in the Bank – Los Angeles, CA
- June 13: SmackDown – Lexington, KY
- June 20: SmackDown – Grand Rapids, MI
- July 18: SmackDown – San Antonio, TX
- August 2/3: SummerSlam – East Rutherford, NJ
- August 8: SmackDown – Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- August 15: SmackDown – Dublin, Ireland
- August 29: SmackDown – Lyon, France
- August 31: Clash in Paris – Paris, France
- October 11: Crown Jewel Perth – Perth, Australia
Collision ended a half hour early in some markets last night due to technical difficulties. Tony Khan announced that the West coast replay would air in full, the full episode would also be available on MAX, and apologized for the problems that occurred. Results for the two matches that didn’t air are below. (PWI)
- Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated CRU to earn a shot at the AEW World Tag Team titles at Double or Nothing.
- Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Wheeler Yuta. Marina Shafir attacked but Willow Nightingale made the save.
Speaking of Collision, Nigel McGuinness accepted FTR’s challenge and will team with Daniel Garcia to face them at Double or Nothing. Here’s the updated card for that show. (AEW)
- Anarchy in the Arena Match: Participants TBD
- Men’s Owen Hart Tournament Final: Hangman Page vs. Will Ospreay
- Women’s Owen Hart Tournament final: Jamie Hayter vs. Mercedes Mone
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
- AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara OR CRU
- Stretcher Match: Mark Briscoe vs. Ricochet
- FTR vs. Nigel McGuinness & Daniel Garcia
Here are the DEFY Wrestling “Final Fantasy” results. (CMN)
- DEFY PrimoLucha Title Scramble Match: Kevin Blackwood def. Guillermo Rosas (c) and Cody Chhun and Eddie Pearl and Evan Rivers and Miles Deville
- DEFY Women’s Title Match: Marina Shafir (c) def. Kylie Rae
- BMF Battle Royal: Steve Migs def. Alan Angels and Casey Ferreira and Elliot Tyler and Liiza Hall and Matt Brannigan and Mike Santiago and Randy Myers and Rebel Kel and Ricky Gibson and Schaff
- LaBron Kozone def. Vaughn Vertigo
- DEFY Tag Team Title Match: Sinner And Saint (Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) (w/Evan Rivers) (c) def. Los Suavecitos (Danny Rose & Ricky Gee)
- Minoru Suzuki def. Joey Janela
Masahiro Takanashi talks about rehabbing his (severe) neck injury: “I’m sorry to have made you all worry due to my situation. I have now been moved to the general ward and I just started on rehabilitation. Right now I am at the stage where I am just moving the tips of my toes, but I hope that I will be able to meet you all again one day as I continue to work on my recovery. As someone of this industry, I take all critical comments and encouragements as I face up to my current situation. And to Chris (Brookes) and the fans everywhere, I hope you can all carry on with your lives without worry.” I wish him all the best going forward.
According to their post on social media, somebody at WWE blocked Queen of the Ring from airing commercials during Raw on Netflix.
