Ricky Starks Ricky Starks hasn’t been used on AEW TV, but is still under contract.Ricky Starks recently appeared a Glory Pro Wrestling, ending a wrestling absence of over six months, as well as GCW where he said he was being frozen. It’s led to questions regarding his status in AEW, as well as his wrestling future.Starks hasn’t been injured, has been cleared to compete, but hasn’t been at recent AEW shows outside of AEW Full Gear since the absence started. Those that we spoke to say he hasn’t been factored much into pitches or creative since then, but he remains under contract.We’re told that his presence backstage at Full Gear was welcomed. Fightful Select learned via numerous AEW sources that AEW had an option year in the spring of 2024 in which they picked up. This extends Ricky Starks’ stay into the spring or summer of 2025. Those that we spoke to said that prior to the option being picked up, he was hoping to test the open market. Thus far we’ve not learned of any plans involving AEW and Ricky Starks.Lucha BrosPenta’s present is not with AEWEarlier in the week, Fightful Select reported that after months of speculation, Penta’s AEW deal was set to be up soon. Based on what we’ve heard within the company, Penta’s contract is now up and he’s effectively a free agent. His brother and tag team partner Rey Fenix, is not.We’d not heard of any creative plans following the issues regarding AEW finding out that Penta had been in contact with WWE. At one point, Death Triangle were considered to win the AEW Trios Titles at AEW All In. However, that changed as things between the two sides became strained in the summer. Penta has heavy interest for marquee matches on the indies, which has been the case even through his AEW run.Bronson ReedWhile one talent has come out unscathed after a scare, another has come out worse for wear.The men’s War Games match was a brutal affair with multiple big spots, including two dives from the top of the structure from Jimmy Uso and Bronson Reed. However, an injury scare came earlier as Jacob Fatu landed awkwardly on a moonsault and began favoring his knee.Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan confirmed that while Fatu was not planned to heavily sell his leg, he was not hurt following the awkward landing and made the decision to heavily sell his leg following the spot.However, “Big” Bronson Reed appears to not have been so lucky. Brennan was also told that while Reed’s Tsunami from the top of the cage was always supposed to take him out of the match, we were told that Bronson suffered an injury to one of, and possibly both, of his ankles on landing. Reed also required assistance to get to the back following the match. Jey Uso revealed during the post show press conference that Jimmy Uso also broke his toe off his splash.When we asked about other injuries on the show, including CM Punk, we were told everyone else came out of the show ok.UPDATE: In an update, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select is told Bronson Reed will get scans done MondayPentaPenta’s present is not with AEWEarlier in the week, Fightful Select reported that after months of speculation, Penta’s AEW deal was set to be up soon. Based on what we’ve heard within the company, Penta’s contract is now up and he’s effectively a free agent. His brother and tag team partner Rey Fenix, is not, as his deal goes well into next year.We’d not heard of any creative plans following the issues regarding AEW finding out that Penta had been in contact with WWE. At one point, Death Triangle were considered to win the AEW Trios Titles at AEW All In. However, that changed as things between the two sides became strained in the summer. Penta has heavy interest for marquee matches on the indies, which has been the case even through his AEW run.WWE Survivor SeriesPRODUCERSWomen’s WarGames: TJ Wilson, Pete Williams, Nora GreenwaldWWE US Title: Shawn DaivariWWE IC Title: Chris Park, Nick AldisWWE World Heavyweight Title: Adam PearceMen’s WarGames: Michael Hayes, Jamie Noble, and Bobby Roode Interest In Major European Names From JapanOver the past two decades, there has been a growth in UK stars showing up in Japan and making a home for themselves with Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr. and most recently Robbie X making their way over to Japan to work with companies in the land of the rising sun. Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned of several interesting notes regarding the UK wrestling scene and the international interest in talent from the island. Brennan was told that there are several big names currently in discussions for appearances in the UK and Ireland in early 2025.Elsewhere in Japan, Brennan was told that there is a newfound interest from TJPW, Marigold, AJPW and NOAH, NJPW in breakout stars from the United Kingdom, with several top names in the European scene contacted for possible excursions in the new year, much like Robbie X joining Bullet Club. Brennan was told that these names include two current top champions in Europe. We were also told to expect more tours and collaborative events between promotions in Europe next year.NJPW are coming off a successful pair of collaborative events with RevPro, with Global Wars and Royal Quest IV.Hardy BoyzThe Hardy Boyz are TNA World Tag Team Champions again, but weren’t locked down until they signed a new deal this week.Matt and Jeff Hardy have had a successful run within TNA Wrestling so far, and became Tag Team Champions at TNA Bound For Glory. Matt Hardy rejoined the company in May, and Jeff followed shortly after when his AEW contract expired. On November 27, TNA signed the duo to what Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp can confirm are one-year deals.Matt Hardy originally came in for a defined number of dates, but decided to stay when his brother joined. Despite becoming TNA World Tag Team Champions, they weren't under contract until recently. However, they’ve agreed to continue working with TNA, and can work indie dates as well.Just last year ahead of a regime change, TNA had insisted on many talent being under contract to be used, which has adjusted since. Juice RobinsonJuice Robinson suffered an injury on the November 30th episode of AEW Collision (taped on November 27).Robinson took on Will Ospreay in a Gold League match in the AEW Continental Classic. Ospreay was victorious in the contest.Robinson was seen on crutches during WrestleCade weekend and had his left ankle wrapped. Switchblade Jay White was helping him get around.Fightful will provide more information onRobinson's injury when it is known.We wish him well in his recovery.Ethan PageFightful had the opportunity to talk with former NXT World Champion Ethan Page. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke with Page, and they discussed numerous topics, including CM Punk, working with others at the WWE PC, and Hornswoggle.Sean began the interview by telling Page, “That maybe one day, when our careers are long over, maybe some of the interviews we haven’t been able to release will actually be released.”The topic of Page’s fashion came up; Sean mentioned that Page’s fashion has been a hot topic. Sean recalled Page saying he would never wear the same shirt on TV more than once. Page said that is true, but now he is trying not to combine the same colors and put out the same look or vibe.Sean mentioned Page's recent run-in with CM Punk. Page spoke about his experience working with Punk. He said it was interesting that they had crossed paths in multiple places, and he had gotten to see how Punk operates.Page said, “If you are talking about his fashion, I'll say the ugliest he's ever looked is in a referee shirt.” Page added that the dumbest Punk looked was when he raised Trick Williams' hand in the referee shirt.The former two-time IMPACT Tag Team Champion said it was great to be in the ring with him in this new era of NXT and on their new network [CW]. Paged told Sean, “I'm grateful in a sense that I got to be in, I guess, CM Punk's stratosphere or whatever, to share the spotlight. That was cool. The things that followed up after [were] not too cool. Not too cool at all.”The master of the Drop-Toe Hold [Sean] asked Page who would win in a Bloodsport match, CM Punk or Karate Man. Page said he would win; any version of him would win.Sean mentioned that Page has made a good impression in NXT and that he’s not working only with new talent but also with talent he worked with years ago. Page said, “This actually happened recently at the ECW arena show. I ran into Nunzio, we had a match in Hamilton, Ontario, for Alpha-1 Wrestling forever ago, and our relationship continued from then.” Page added that getting to see him after so many years was cool.Sean asked if there was anyone he may have wrestled years ago and thought they would be someone they would see again down the line. Page recalled working with Shawn Spears at an Indy Show in Ontario and said he was a lot different than the other people he had wrestled and knew there was something there.When asked if there was someone who had made him crack in the ring, Page said, “Bryan Danielson. There is a level of comfort and confidence that Bryan Danielson has in the ring that almost puts you in the same mental space, which is an art in itself. Yeah, he's a freak of nature, that guy.”Sean showed some custom action figures to Page, a known toy collector.The name Dylan Postl [Hornswoggle] came up in the conversation. Sean mentioned that Postl has a new WWE action figure coming out. Page would note, “He [Postl] has the DX Vault re-release coming out. Thank you, Mattel, very exciting. Mattel is absolutely crushing it right now.” Ethan also mentions that people should pre-order the Ethan Page figure when it becomes available. Page said that when he was collecting, Swoggle's figure was one of, if not the hardest, figures to find.Sean asked Page if he was doing any coaching at the PC or if he was just talent. Page said, “Yes, anything you see athletic that Je’von Evans is doing is strictly coming from Ethan Page [laughing]Page said, “No, I would definitely say I'm not in a coaching position whatsoever. Are there people here that know of my history? A few of them. I'll give advice if asked, but I'm not just kind of walking around trying to help these athletes jump ahead of Ethan Page. So no, I'm not really giving out advice.In closing, Sean asked if there were any talents that he had his eyes on. Page said, “Sexy BJ Ray. It might not be a name people know. I have been part of the business for 18 years, and the guy is going to be a star; if he doesn't screw it up for himself or get injured or whatever, there's something there. Everyone hates this guy. Everybody hates this guy.”You can follow Ethan Page on X at @OfficialEgo or Instagram at @OfficialEgo.Watch Ethan, NXT Deadline on December 7th on Peacock. .Watch the interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1huUa8VcP8gMatt RiddleMatt Riddle appeared in TNA on November 29 at their Turning Point show.TNA got word that afternoon that Trey Miguel had a travel situation, and that he would need replaced. We're told that Riddle found out not long before the show that the possibility was a reality and ended up working the event. TNA sources we spoke to said that while the situation wasn't ideal, they weren't too stressed considering they were at a convention where there were a hundred or so possible replacements.People we spoke to in TNA said they were happy about the live reception to Riddle, but wouldn't commit to using him again in the future. European Wrestling Round UpFightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following details from around the European Wrestling World.- Prior to PROGRESS Chapter 173 on November 17th, the promotion went through stringent measures to make sure Session Moth Martina was ready to go following her concussion at OTT’s Tenth Anniversary. - There’s been a significant buzz within the Spanish Wrestling scene for Michael Oku vs Iker Navarro’s rematch in RCW Spain. The match was originally planned prior to the pair’s match together in RevPro.- As announced last week, TNT Wrestling will be airing on Triller TV in 2025. While PROGRESS also has a deal for several shows in the future, we are told TNT Wrestling will no longer be airing on PROGRESS On Demand in 2025.- Over The Top Wrestling will be returning to Wolverhampton in 2025.- As we previously reported, Rhio, Tate Mayfairs and Molly Spartan were visiting this week at NXT. In a small update, we are told that Rhio was also in attendance at last week’s show. Rhio is currently based out of Orlando for her US tour.- Aigle Blanc is back in the ring training following his recent injury, and is expected back soon.- Those we spoke to in OTT were said to be ‘delighted’ with the main event of their Tenth Anniversary show, with talent expressing how positive the atmosphere was in the National Stadium on October 26th. NXT Backstage Notes November 26thFightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following backstage details about the November 26th edition of WWE NXT. The internal name for this week’s episode of NXT was ‘Only Time Will Tell’.Another big name was originally discussed for next week’s edition of NXT along with X-Pac, but plans fell through.Both Iron Survivor qualifying matches received high praise backstage.We haven’t heard of any specific reason why next week’s show is being loaded up bar it being the go home show for NXT Deadline.NotesBobby Roode has resumed shadowing Michael Hayes on some producer assignments.Chad Barbash wrote the Gunther promo on WWE RawPRODUCERS:Gunther and Damian Priest segment: Adam PearceRey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. American Made: Jason Jordan & Shawn DaivariBron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser: Chris Park/AbyssWar Raiders vs. Judgment Day: Michael Hayes & Bobby RoodeNew Day vs. Alpha Academy: Adam PearceBianca Belair vs. Nia Jax: TJ Wilson & Kenny DykstraMain Event: Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile: Kenny DykstraMain Event: Lyra Valkyria vs. Zoey Stark: Shawn DaivariSpeed: Katana Chance vs. Alba Fyre: Pete DunneWelcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.***Hey Sean hope all is well. Was Punk always planned to be a part of Roman's team? How are they getting along now that Punk is back?As best I know, it was always the plan. I've not heard a single issue or negative interaction that CM Punk has had since he's been back. He's not just been a model citizen, he's been quite helpful from my understanding.Hey Sean do you still collect wrestling figures and if so what was your latest purchase?I do! I just dropped a new Figure Haul episode this week, and have another coming on Christmas. I'm largely collecting ECW Original San Francisco Toymakers figures, and things I had when I was younger. I bought nine ECW figs from Toy HQ/Toy Vomit in LexingtonDo you think they will ever do a women's C2 or a women's casino gauntlet?AEW will absolutely do a women's casino gauntlet at some point. I wouldn't doubt a women's C2 is in the cards eventually, but I think the World Cup format is a cool idea for them to be involved in.Is AEW not allowed to use the Bullet Club name for the bang bang gang. I cant remember the last time they were called BC Gold. Or is it a case of AEW not wanting to split merch revenue since its NJPW trademark.I've not heard of any issues regarding them using it. They prefer Bang Bang Gang because they own the IP, but I don't think they've been asked to not use it. It was on their tron the last time they were all together, I think. Do you think AEW will be able to get Danhausen back on tv before his contract is up or is he pretty much done with the company?There had been some contact between AEW and Danhausen in September, but I've not heard of any creative plans. Ultimately, he works there. So if they tell him to come to work, he will. He's never said or implied otherwise.Has there been any update or talks about NXT UK/Europe or anything of the sort?Not only has there not been an update, there's been the opposite of an update. Things got put on hiatus following Vince McMahon's retirement with NXT Europe being announced. Then the merger slowed things down, and then we haven't heard of anything new since then.Hear any whispers of a Carmella return?Not at all. Unfortunately she's suffered from drop foot after giving birth. That can be a tough thing to train through. I was always told that she'd be welcomed back.Do you have any update with Keith Lee.Unfortunately, he's still not cleared. The latest I heard at the end of summer was that nothing had changed on his status.Was the Costco guys a one off?No. There are tentative plans for them to work together again. Everyone was very happy with how it came off. AJ working the match through an injury impressed a lot of people.Is there a time schedule from when Lance Anoa'i and the other newly signed young talents are going to debut in NXT?They'll be sprinkled in as WWE sees fit, but when I heard that Lance was signed by WWE, it came with unfortunate news. They weren't expecting him to be cleared to wrestle in 2024, and it was looking like early 2025 before he could.Hi Sean, I saw that Ricky starks was backstage at full gear, do you have any info on how it went?It went well, and he got along with people and was taking pictures. He was welcomed backstage and there were no issues. I'm working to find out more if I can.Could you see Juice Robinson returning to WWE and if so does he keep his current name or go back to being CJ Parker?I wouldn't expect him to go to WWE. He's got years left on his AEW deal. Matt Bloom did open some doors for him in Japan, though. He'd be Juice Robinson if he went anywhere, though.Who's a wrestler we should watch out for in 2025 as a rising star in each major company?Maggie Lee in TNA, Gabe Kidd in NJPW, Akira in MLW, Queen Aminata in AEW, EJ Nduka in ROH, and Ludwig Kaiser in WWE.Hey Sean! If you don’t mind me asking, how come some post show reviews you do solo and some you have a partner? Just something I always wondered. Thanks as always!If Jimmy calls in, I like to do a solo show.I do AEW PPV post shows alone because they're LOOOOOOOOONGI have people join me for post WWE PLEs because the cards are smaller
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