So, I was waiting for some serious news to draft the latest Hot Stove report, and this weekend brought the thunder.
WWE & NXT
- Nothing seriously new here, but as mentioned in our Rumor Roundup, Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted: WWE is now asking NXT talents to sign 5-year contracts, which are 66% longer than the 3-year contracts they used to sign.
- Also, it’s long been known that DJ Z was coming to NXT, but what’s new is that he’s been renamed as Joaquin Wilde.
- We haven’t seen hide nor hair of Sasha Banks, Luke Harper and Lio Rush on WWE TV since reports began to emerge of their dissatisfaction with the company.
AEW
- MOX: The biggest signing of the year saw the former Dean Ambrose run through the crowd at Double or Nothing as Jon Moxley before attacking Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. We’ll mention him later in this column, of course, but it should be noted that Mox’s full-time/multi-year contract gives him room to work with other promotions.
- Arguably, even bigger than Mox was AEW announcing its deal to appear on TNT.
- Awesome Kong debuted for All Elite Wrestling at Double or Nothing.
- The UK’s Sadie Gibbs has been announced as a signing to AEW.
- Evil Uno (aka Player Uno) and Stu Grayson (aka Stupefied, Player Dos) the tag team once known as Super Smash Brothers has also signed to AEW, debuting at Double or Nothing. They’re expected to change their team name due to sharing it with the popular Nintendo game series.
- Luchasaurus, known for his time at Lucha Underground where he wrestled as Vibora, is All Elite. His buddy Jungle Boy signed back in January.
- AEW’s ref team was filled out after to the last edition of this column. Joining Rick Knox are:
- Indie super-ref Bryce Remsburg, known for his years of work in Chikara and his work reffing the Invisible Man vs Invisible Stan match during Mania week 2019.
- Earl Hebner, last seen making eyes at Impact Knockouts and selling his own shirts.
- Aubrey Edwards, who’s reffed for DEFY in Seattle, NXT and the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
- Former Ring of Honor ref Paul Turner.
- AEW signed Dean Malenko to work as a producer and coach.
NJPW
- KENTA: Yes, in a moment had had yours truly practically screaming, Katsuyori Shibata revealed that the former Hideo Itami has signed with NJPW, and that he will compete in the G1.
- Jon Moxley is now a NJPW champ, having beaten Juice Robinson at the Best of the Super Juniors 26. He’s announced he wants to compete in the 2019 G1 Climax tournament.
Evolve
- In a May 22 newsletter, WWN announced that Stephen Wolf has signed a contract with the company and will appear on every Evolve card going forward.
MLW
- Watch out, he’ll chew you up, oh, here he comes, he’s a Flamita! Yes, the luchador who’s worked around the world, including in the UK at Fight Club Pro and Progress, signed to MLW.
- Adam Brooks, who’s frequently appeared in PWG, will wrestle for MLW as he’s “signed an open contract for June 1st,” according to a press release. Who will step up and challenge the talented technical high-flyer? The league anticipates a contract will be fully signed within days.
- Dr. Wagner Jr. and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. have been signed to work an MLW show in Chicago this July. It’s unclear if either will work more dates for the promotion.
- Salina de la Renta who’s worked as a manager at MLW, added more years to her contract with the promotion, according to PWInsider. De la Renta will be doing more off-camera work in the company. She recently produced an episode of the promotion’s TV show.
- Tristen Thai, who has been turning in good work with Beyond (among other promotions) has also been signed by MLW. I hadn’t heard news of it prior to Paul Crocket explaining it on commentary during Beyond’s June 9 secret show.
Ring of Honor
- No real news here, which seems fitting since the only ROH news of late has been Bully Ray’s alleged heinous interaction with a fan. By the way, there’s no conclusion to their investigation of that June 2 incident, according to their latest statement.
Impact
- After reports emerged that Progress Women’s Champion Jordynne Grace was working Impact without an actual contact, she announced a multi-year contract with the company.
- Inaugural WWE Cruiserweight Champ TJ Perkins has gone back to the promotion where he wrestled as Manik, where he will be called TJP.
The stove stays hot these days, so stick with Cageside Seats for further talent movement. We’ll see you back here hopefully sooner rather than later with report #7!