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The big time. We are in a new year and that means it is time to start doing new things in WWE. That can include all kinds of new concepts, or perhaps doing something in a different way. WWE has a lot of options open to it and some of those can be rather interesting. One such change has already been announced and now we know a good bit more about how the plan came into being.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: They’re Up? Former NXT Champions Make Main Roster Debuts
Last week, WWE announced that it would be holding its annual Money In The Bank event this year at the 02 Arena in London, England, marking the first time the event has been held outside of North America. According to Fightful Select, WWE could have held the show in a stadium and sold it out, but they felt that the 02 is the “Madison Square Garden of England” and wanted to run the venue. In addition, running Money In The Bank in England makes the event feel like one of the biggest of the year.
There have been some big ones. Check out ..

They might be next. NXT is in a unique situation in the wrestling world as its purpose is to repopulate the WWE main roster. Therefore, despite being a wrestling show on national television, NXT exists for its wrestlers to move up to the next level. You can occasionally see a sign that a wrestler is moving up and that might be taking place again with a pair of NXT stars.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: Kurt Angle Kisses Undertaker At WWE Live Event, Undertaker Isn’t Happy
According to PWInsider.com, Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson/Elton Prince) will be working this weekend’s WWE live events. This will be the team’s main roster debut, though there is no word on if they will be called up anytime soon. Pretty Deadly are currently feuding with New Day over the NXT Tag Team Titles, having lost the titles to New Day last month at Deadline.
The team is rather unique. Check out the two of them at their best:
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It got his attention. Wrestlers have to be in the ring quite a few times every week, many of which are not going to be seen by a majority of the fans. With several events taking place just in front of the live fans, wrestlers need to do something to keep things interesting, or at least entertaining. That is something that was done at one point between two legends, one of whom was not pleased.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: On The Market: Former NXT Star Free Agent, WWE And More Companies Interested
During a recent edition of the Kurt Angle Show, Kurt Angle told a story of a match with the Undertaker in Japan. Following the match, Angle told Undertaker that they should hug, which Undertaker did. As they did, Angle kissed Undertaker on the lips, leaving Undertaker livid as Angle left. Undertaker said that it was a long flight home, with Angle saying that it was the only time he saw Undertaker laugh.
This was a weird one. Check out what happened, plus the two in more natural circumstances:
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On the market. The wrestling world moves very fast as wrestlers are often going from one promotion to another. Contracts have slowed some of this movement down, but those deals eventually expire, meaning things can get interesting again. That is the case again, as a former WWE wrestler is a free agent, despite being a reigning champion in another promotion.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: WWE Hall Of Famer Sends Bizarre Special Greeting
According to Fightful Select, reigning MLW Tag Team Champion EJ Nduka is officially a free agent and has been since January 1. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Nduka has drawn interest from WWE, AEW and various Japanese promotions. Nduka formerly wrestled for WWE as part of NXT, under the name Ezra Stone. There is no word on where Nduka will sign next or when he will announce his move.
He has done this for a bit. Check out some of Nduka in action:
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That’s a new one. There have been a lot of wrestlers throughout the years but very few are able to make much of a lasting impact for one reason or another. Some of the wrestlers will do something outside of the ring that makes them more noteworthy, but those are often going to be rather unique situations. Now a former WWE star is playing off of his reputation in more of a fun way.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Comeback: 67 Year Old WWE Hall Of Famer Returning To The Ring After 10+ Years
WWE Hall Of Famer Tony Atlas, 68 years old, has released a video (safe for work) showing a woman hitting him and eventually stomping on his face. The video ends with a surprising message from Atlas, who says nothing else throughout. Atlas’ obsession with women’s feet has been known over the years, with several wrestlers and wrestling personalities commenting on it.
This is different. Check out the video, plus some more traditional Atlas wrestling:
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One more? Wrestling is a unique sport in that you will occasionally see people who are not normally wrestlers getting in the ring for a match. You don’t often see a coach or a broadcaster taking part in other sports, but wrestling is not exactly normal. It can be a special moment when someone gets back in the ring after a long absence though and now we are set to see it again.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: We’re Getting Started: Backstage WWE Reaction To Vince McMahon’s Return, Changes So Far
During a recent edition of his After 83 Weeks podcast, WWE Hall Of Famer Eric Bischoff, 67, announced that he will be returning to the ring at a show in Florida on February 11. Bischoff said that his son Garrett, Gerald Brisco, Wes Brisco and Bischoff himself will be in the same ring, though he did not specify who would be wrestling whom. Bischoff’s most recent match took place on the April 26, 2012 edition of Impact Wrestling, though the match only lasted three seconds.
Bischoff has had quite a histo..

And now, the reaction. We are in the middle of another huge change in WWE, as Vince McMahon has returned to the company after retiring from the company last July. The move came after a rapid fire change of pace, as McMahon and two hand picked partners returned to the Board Of Directors less than twenty four hours after announcing his plans. Now we are seeing the reaction to the whole situation.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Next Target: WWE Reportedly Interested In 40 Year Old Second Generation Star
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, some who were previously supportive of McMahon in WWE have changed their stances about his return. However, so far the situation is described as “business as usual” with McMahon having not move back into his office and no reported plans for him to do so. There are also no current plans for changes among the company’s management, though that could change in the future.
Change can be a good thing. Check out some WWE changes over the years:
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On the radar. There are a lot of talented wrestlers in the world who have nothing to do with WE. Those wrestlers often grow a following and reputation of their own and that can be enough to get WWE’s attention. WWE will often go after wrestlers from other promotions and that seems to be what they are trying to do now with a pair of second generation international stars.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Farewell? Weekly Wrestling Series Seems To Be Coming To An End
Earlier this week, New Japan Pro Wrestling held its annual Wrestle Kingdom event. During the show, Tama Tonga defeated Karl Anderson to become the new Never Openweight Champion. According to Fightful Select, WWE is interested in Tonga and has been for quite some time. There is no word on if Tonga is interested in leaving New Japan or when his current contract expires.
Tonga is quite the star. Check out his work around the world on his own and as part of the Guerrillas of Destiny team:
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One less? Wrestling has been around for a very long time and a lot of that time has seen it airing on television. It makes all the sense in the world as anyone can watch a wrestling match and get the basic idea. There are all kinds of ways to present wrestling and different promotions around the world have showcased it in varying styles. Now though, we might not be seeing one of them again.
In a new post on his personal blog, New Japan’s Hiroshi Tanahashi revealed that New Japan Strong, the weekly New Japan American television series, will be coming to an end after this weekend’s television tapings. There was no reason given as to why the show would be coming to an end. However, last month, New Japan President Takami Ohbari said that New Japan Strong “will be rebuilt next year” (meaning 2023).
???????STRONG???????????????????#njpwSTRONG will be rebuilt next year.
— ????/Takami Ohbari (@TAKAMIOHBARI) December 25, 2022
Strong had some good stuff. Check out some of its efforts:
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That’s not good. WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle recently told a story on his podcast on AdFreeShows.com, about how he almost drowned on a recent vacation to Florida.
Angle said the following:
“We went to Miami, Florida,” Angle said. “The temperature was 80 degrees. We spent so much time on the beach. They had a wonderful pool at the hotel. It was a blast. I actually took my kids jet skiing. My first kid that I put on the back for me to ride them because they’re too young to drive themselves, I put her on the back and we went out, and when I went to make a turn, I slowed down and stopped, I wanted to make a turn and I didn’t put the accelerator on when I was turning and we flipped over. We went into the ocean.”
“Now, Thank God my daughter is like an Olympic-caliber swimmer. I even had the safety vest on me, but it wasn’t working. I was still sinking. I can’t swim. So I’m in trouble. I couldn’t get above water. I was going under. My daughter kept her composure. The jet ski got away from..

Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling shows for over twelve years now and have reviewed over 6,000 shows. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a new review here on Wrestlingrumors.net. It could be anything from modern WWE to old school to indies to anything in between. Note that I rate using letters instead of stars and I don’t rate matches under three minutes as really, how good or bad can something that short be?
Wrestle Kingdom XVII
Date: January 4, 2023
Location: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton, Gino Gambino
It’s time to go back to New Japan for a promotion that I have not looked at since last year’s Wrestle Kingdom. As tends to be the case with this show, I’m coming in mostly blind, save for knowing the wrestlers involved. The main event is Jay White defending the IWGP World Title against Kazuchika Okada, who he took the title from back in June. Let’s get to it.
Pre-Show: Boltin Oleg ..

Let the bidding begin. According to a report from CNBC, WWE has hired JPMorgan to begin the process of selling the company. This is being reported following the news that Vince McMahon returned to the company yesterday.
The report states that if a deal occurs, it would likely occur in the next three to six months. In addition, WWE plans to talk to potential buyers before it makes a decision on TV rights renewal agreements.
McMahon had the following to stay in a statement: “My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder.”
His return doesn’t affect current leadership as Stephanie, and former CAA agent Nick Khan are co-CEOs. However, it remains unclear what type of role, if any, Vince would want at WWE if he sold the company. WWE has told investors that his role is essential in “our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines.” Currently, Vince doesn’t h..