Columnist Rob Pasbani catches you up on all the wrestling news headed into the weekend
The big story of the week is financial site CNBC reporting that WWE is in discussions with state gambling regulations to legalize betting on outcomes of their main events, which are, of course, pre-determined.
WWE would work with accounting firm Ernst & Young, the same firm that is in charge of protecting the results for award shows like the Academy Awards as a way to convince regulators there wouldn’t be leaks of match results, something that is currently very prevalent. WWE is using award shows like the Oscars as a proof of concept. Currently, betting sites like Draft Kings allow betting on the Oscars in certain states.
WWE is attempting to register in Colorado, Indiana and Michigan. Colorado officials told CNBC they wouldn’t be interested. WWE would lock in results several months in advance and would allegedly not even reveal the outcomes to the performers until gambling on the match would be closed a few hours before the event. CNBC reports: “WWE executives have proposed that scripted results of matches be locked in months ahead of time, according to people familiar with the matter.”
Critics have said this would alter how the storylines are produced for the worse, as even the writers wouldn’t be able to know the outcomes. WWE have an uphill battle to get this approved. Even if state regulators approve it, they still have to convince betting outlets like Draft Kings to accept bets. Currently, the site allows small wagers on PPV events.
Analysts at CNBC seemed very skeptical that this would be allowed.
A few weeks ago, a rumor surfaced that WWE is interested in signing Kenny Omega and are pushing hard to sign him, assuming Omega’s contract came up in January. However, it surfaced that due to Omega’s injury last year, his contract has been extended through around November. The Young Bucks contract expires in early 2024.
According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW is working on signing all three men to new long-term deals before their contracts expire. The Observer speculates Bucks are likely to stay as they would have a lighter schedule, be allowed to wrestle their style, and be with their families more. Kenny is more of a wild card, since he has no kids, and considered signing with WWE before AEW formed.
But Kenny only recently got back to Japan and I’m sure he wants to do more matches there. Being in WWE would complicate that. Kenny could always get a clause in his contract that he could wrestle in Japan, and we’ve seen WWE allow two wrestlers work there this year, but it would still require far more clearance.
While there are a ton of dream matches for Kenny to have within WWE, the selfish fan in me hopes he stays with AEW and does more New Japan matches. That’s the Kenny I want to see!
Circle6 will host their Obey Your Master event this Saturday, March 11th in Lakewood, Ohio. The event will feature the culmination of the ongoing feud between word champion Atticus Cougar and former WWE NXT star Zachary Wentz. The duo have faced off twice before, each getting a win so this rubber match calls for something special… a three stages of hell match.
Cirlce6 describes the match: “3 Stages of Hell is a 2-out-of-3-falls match with increasingly dangerous stipulations as you reach the third fall. The first fall will be a lumberjack match where the lockerroom will surround the ring to keep both men and the action inside the ring. If they happen to go to the outside, the wrestlers outside the ring are free to do as they will with either man. The second fall will be a Strap Match. Both men will be tied together by the wrist with a 12-foot leather strap that they are able to use as a weapon in any way they can imagine. If the match makes it to the third fall, that fall will be contested under Last Man Standing rules. No pinfalls, No Submissions. The only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent to the point where they can not stand to their feet by the time the referee reaches the count of 10.”
Other matches include:
Tickets are available at Circle6.co & the event will stream live on IndependentWrestling.tv at 8pm EST.
WWE Smackdown is tonight on Fox at 8pm and it’s a loaded show:
AEW Rampage is on at 10pm on TNT with this lineup:
WWE Raw on Monday has this lineup:
AEW Dynamite next week in Winnipeg has a big show announced:
Impact Wrestling on Thursday has announced:
Kofi Kingston was injured on Smackdown last week and turns out he will be missing five weeks, taking him out of WrestleMania.
John Cena was the surprise speaker at Cody Rhodes’ Atlanta wrestling school, The Nightmare Factory, earlier this week. He posed for a photo with trainees.
There will be a “reach for the sky” ladder match at the next ROH PPV to determine the new tag team champions. Lucha Bros will be announced for the match on Rampage tonight.
After Jade Cargill issued an open challenge to a Canadian performer, the rumor is it will be Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie is currently not under contract to Impact or MLW, even though she is the MLW Featherweight Champion.
Dave Meltzer reports the state government of Western Australia is negotiating with WWE on bringing another event to the area, likely in Perth.
John Cena will be available to WWE the rest of the month as he wrapped up filming on his movie Ricky Stanicky.
Dave Meltzer reports that Alexa Bliss is listed as “on hiatus.”
Bryan Danielson has hinted he’s taking some storyline time off.
WWE announced a new documentary on WrestleMania 38 for March 27th on Peacock. here’s a trailer:
Do you enjoy pro wrestling? Knotfest Wrestling has a bi-weekly column filled with wrestling news. Read previous editions of this column here. You can always follow me @robinjection on Instagram and Twitter and @Squaredcirclpit.
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