In a recent Gorilla Position interview, Drew McIntyre talks about his widely reported ire at the Royal Rumble this year: “I will tell you that I was not happy. I invented a few swear words, and then I left the building. I left the building because I’m a professional. The same with the CM Punk thing. I blow up big time every couple of years, but every time I get upset, it somehow makes the internet because it’s such a scene. Generally, I don’t, but my thing is, I’m going to leave the building. I would walk down and punch somebody in the face, because that’s who I am. But I’m also professional, so I’d rather take myself out of this situation because I know how bad my temper is, and sometimes, when you calm down, things are not as they seem. So I’ve learned to just walk away. That’s the adult thing to do. Calm down, look at the things, and then, if you still feel the same, knock somebody out.”
I’m sad to report that Julia Reilly, who played Claire Lynch in TNA, passed away two months ago. (WO) Hers is one of the first instances I can recall of the IWC going way too far, as they tracked down the actress through LinkedIn and her personal website to attack her and the character she was playing. She ultimately quit and TNA dropped the storyline altogether. My condolences to her family, friends and fans. Hopefully her passing and recent events with Liv Morgan are a somber reminder to readers that it’s okay to invest in a wrestling character, to cheer for them or boo them, but that it’s NEVER okay to step over the line to harass someone in real life. Don’t do it.
Here’s the ratings breakdown for the latest season of Dark Side of the Ring. (WO)
- Big Van Vader (April 8): 106,000 viewers, 0.02 in 18-49
- The Original ‘Superstar’: Billy Graham (April 22): 134,000 viewers, 0.04 in 18-49
- ‘Hot Stuff’ Eddie Gilbert (April 29): 68,000 viewers, 0.01 in 18-49
- Truth, Lies and Billy Jack Haynes (May 8): 73,000 viewers, 0.02 in 18-49
- Blood, Fire and the Original Sheik (May 15): 102,000 viewers, 0.02 in 18-49
- The Scream Queen: Daffney (May 22): 140,000 viewers, 0.03 in 18-49
- Becoming Muhammad Hassan (May 29): 90,000 viewers, 0.02 in 18-49
Here’s the card for Against All Odds tonight in Tempe, Arizona. (TNA)
- TNA World Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Elijah
- TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Nemeths (c) vs. The Rascalz
- TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Lei Ying Lee
- TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs. Mance Warner
- Winner is TNA Director of Authority: Santino Marella vs. Robert Stone
- Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian
- Mustafa Ali vs. Jason Hotch
- The System vs. The Hardys, Leon Slater & TBD
- Pre-Show: The Elegance Brand vs. Xia Brookside, Harley Hudson & Myla Grace
The new lineup for Summer Blockbuster next Wednesday in Portland is below. (AEW)
- Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay
- Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight & Komander vs. Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MJF
- Anthony Bowens vs. Kyle Fletcher
- Toni Storm vs. Julia Hart (Mercedes Mone on commentary)
- Thekla vs. Queen Aminata
- Mistico vs. TBD
- Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada contract signing
Here’s the updated card for SmackDown tonight. (WWE)
- Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Naomi, Roxanne Perez, & Giulia
- Aleister Black vs. LA Knight
- Seth Rollins, Penta, Solo Sikoa, El Grande Americano, and Andrade to appear
- Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Logan Paul, John Cena to appear
“The Alpha Male” Monty Brown will be at Starrcast in Texas.
Former WWE wrestler Doug Basham was a guest trainer at the WWE Performance Center for the past week. (PWI)
Shotzi Blackheart will make her PROGRESS debut at Chapter 181: Far From Ordinary People on June 29th versus Nina Samuels. She officially became a free agent today. (FF)
Here are CMLL Martes de Glamour results. (FF)
- Prince Drago, Avispón Negro Jr. & Logan def. Cowboy, Amenaza Negra Jr. & Abigor La Pesadilla
- Colosos del Ring def. Dinastia Trueno
- Ráfaga Jr., El Tapatío & Makará def. Black Boy, Shezmu & Temerario
- Gallo Jr. & Atlantis def. Satánico & Arlequín via DQ
- Sanely & Las Infernales def. India Sioux & Chicas Indomables
- Divinos Laguneros def. Bárbaro Cavernario, Último Guerrero & Gran Guerrero
Ricochet talks about the stable he wants to form in AEW: “That’s the thing. That’s the blissfulness, I guess you would say, of all of this is that there are so many to choose from. And again, it could be two singles guys, it could be a tag team. It could be people from another group right now, who knows? Who knows? All I know is that it’s not going to be an easy process. It’s not going to be something that’s going to happen real quick, so it’s going to take some time. I’m going to have to see the lay of the land. I’m going to have to watch a little further and see who I think really wants it, and see who I think is going to do what needs to be done to get to the next level. You know? So, yeah, it’s all about the journey, the ride.”
It’s hard to know whether or not to take him seriously any more but Ric Flair says he has skin cancer so against my better judgement I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say I’m sorry to hear it and wish him the best.
WWE is “close” to announcing next year’s WrestleMania will return to Las Vegas. (WO)
Brian Milonas has retired from pro wrestling. All the best to you Brian1
Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI are calling their new faction Los Tranquilos de Japon.
Dragon Bane is out of action following a concussion for Dragongate on June 5th. (FF)
