Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Tetsuya Naito says he’s working on his US visa and will need to change his entrance song post-NJPW: “Domestic options weren’t on the table. When I left New Japan Pro Wrestling and wanted to see things I didn’t know about, I thought I could experience more new things overseas. I wanted to take my first step overseas. I was involved in the songwriting process from the beginning, sharing my opinions multiple times. The Hiroshima Carp also used it as their chance theme, so I had a strong attachment to it. I really didn’t want to change it; I really didn’t want to change it, and I had a strong desire to walk with STARDUST, but I can’t use it. So, since I’ve left New Japan, I think I’ll take a step forward with regards to my entrance song.”
In this interview Rhino rated the spears of other wrestlers and singled out Bron Breakker’s famous spear of Carlito: “Bron, that was – I think I saw Carlito’s soul leave his body and thank god it returned. He’s a great athlete. Great stock he comes from. I think I have to come up with a super gore to combat that awesome spear. I got to come up with something different because, his speed, I can’t beat that even in my prime. He’s just such an athlete. I got to come up with a super gore.”
Mike Santana, Masha Slamovich, and Megan Bayne have all been added to the Jeff Cannonball Benefit Show on September 14th.
Night of Champions is still proceeding as planned. Many members of the WWE staff have already been in Saudi Arabia since June 9th, and only five people are stuck in Qatar currently as they are looking for connecting flights since their original ones were grounded. Saudi Arabia has held meetings with WWE and still wants the show to take place. (FF)
Speaking of which here’s the updated card for Saturday. (WWE)
- Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena vs. CM Punk
- King of the Ring Tournament Finals: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill
- Street Fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
- WWE United States Championship Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa
- Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn
If you’re wondering why Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles isn’t on the card, it’s because Dominik is out of action due to an injury. It was also revealed on Raw that Liv Morgan will be out of action for at least several months. (WWE)
LA Knight was also given a storyline injury of a “bruised sternum” after taking multiple tsunamis from Bronson Reed. (WWE)
Tickets are now on sale for two shows in Atlanta — WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12th, and WWE Evolution on July 13th. The pre-sale code is WWETIX. (PWI)
Daisuke Sekimoto is leaving Big Japan Pro Wrestling and entering free agency. (FF)
Janel Grant has submitted a formal request for internal documents from WWE and Vince McMahon in the ongoing lawsuit including board materials, NDA drafts, and documents reviewed by federal investigators.
Natalya and Promise Braxton will face off in Reality of Wrestling on Saturday.
Corey Graves filled in for Pat McAfee on Raw again last night. (WWE) Perhaps that should be a permanent change?
The last SmackDown did a 0.38 18-49 demo and 1.524 million viewers, the same demo as last week but 1.401 million. (PI)
Jelly Roll is booked for the July 11th SmackDown in Nashville.
