It’s now official — EVIL (Takaaki Watanabe) is leaving New Japan: “After careful consideration and discussions with NJPW management, EVIL, who has been a long standing member of the NJPW roster will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the expiry of his contract at the end of January 2026. We apologise to fans for the sudden nature of this announcement. New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes EVIL the very best in his future activities.”
Speaking of NJPW here are STRONG SPLASH results. (FF)
- Masatora Yasuda & Shoma Kato def. Katsuya Murashima & Tatsuya Matsumoto
- Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura defeat Daiki Nagai, Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori of Unbound Co.
- OSKAR, Yota Tsuji & Yuto-Ice def. Callum Newman, Jake Lee & Jakob Austin Young
PROGRESS Chapter 189 results are below. (FF)
- Super Strong Style 16 Men’s Tournament First Round Match: Jay Joshua def. Kid Lykos II
- Super Strong Style 16 Women’s Tournament First Round Match: Skye Smitson def. Anita Vaughan
- Super Strong Style 16 Women’s Tournament First Round Match: LA Taylor def. Session Moth Martina
- PROGRESS Atlas Championship Match: Saxon Huxley def. Axel Tischer
- PROGRESS Men’s World Championship Match: Man Like DeReiss def. Cara Noir via disqualification
- PROGRESS Tag Team Championship Match: Diamond Eyes def. Gene Munny & Kouga
- Big Damo def. Spike Trivet. Bullit attacked Trivet after the match
- PROGRESS Women’s World Championship Match: Alexxis Falcon def. Rayne Leverkusen
Via social media Killer Kelly confirmed she’s left TNA Wrestling.
Willow Nightingale will compete at Pro Wrestling EVE’s Wrestle Queendom 8.
AEW filed a “Brawling Birds” trademark on January 23rd: “Conducting entertainment exhibitions in the nature of professional wresting exhibits and performances by professional wrestlers, namely, performances by a tag team of wrestlers during professional wrestling events; Entertainment services in the nature of live professional wrestling performances; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a tag team of professional wrestlers; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a tag team of professional wrestlers.”
Linkin Park’s “Heavy Is the Crown” is the Royal Rumble theme song.
Due to travel issues Lilian Garcia is filling in for Alicia Taylor on tonight’s Raw. (WWE)
Trey Miguel says he was close to quitting before his TNA return: “I came very close to quitting. My heart was broken.. I felt like wrestling hated me to be quite honest. I hadn’t felt a hurt or a loss like that in a very long time. I didn’t answer calls or texts and I spent a little over a week contemplating what’s next. I felt like my dream died as quickly as it was realized. But it’s in moments like this that god will show you how strong you actually are. But if it weren’t for the support system that God has blessed me with I don’t know if I would have been able to turn that decision around. I’m not everyone’s favorite wrestler, I don’t strive to be. I strive to make a kids dreams come true who had a very hard childhood and only ever wanted to be one thing, a pro wrestler. Words can’t describe how eternally grateful I am to TNA Wrestling for saving this dream for me. And to the ones who encouraged me to stick it out I will forever be in debt to. If you supported me through this, I love you. If you didn’t, I still love you. There’s no room in my heart for hate. Now with that being said I have to show the world what I’m made of and I’m just thankful to still have that opportunity.”
Here’s an early lineup for the next AAA on FOX. (AAA)
- Rey de Reyes Qualifying Fatal 4-Way Match: Jack Cartwheel vs. Aerostar vs. Apollo Crews vs. La Parka
- Lola Vice vs. La Hiedra w/ Special Guest Referee: Mr. Iguana
