AJ Styles Believes Triple H Is Trying To Make Pro Wrestling Bigger

Ahead of his in-ring debut with Pro Wrestling NOAH, AJ Styles is singing the praises of his boss, Triple H.

SmackDown Superstar AJ Styles participated in today’s Nippon Budokan Tournament Press Conference. When asked about what being able to compete in NOAH this weekend means for the current state of WWE, Styles said Triple H is trying to show that they are willing to work with other companies to make pro wrestling bigger than ever.

“I think this is showing the Triple H era of what WWE is all about,” AJ Styles. “Because I’m not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO SKY is also wrestling along with myself, and that just goes to show what Triple H is trying to bring throughout the world and WWE, whether it be in NOAH or somewhere else.

“Having the opportunity to wrestle there is big for everybody, and it just shows how we were willing and able to work together so that we all can make pro wrestling as big as we possibly can.”

Styles competed against Noamichi Marufuji on July 13th at Destination 2024.

Triple H Announces Women's Wrestling Legend For 2024 WWE Hall Of Fame Class

Following the news earlier this week that Paul Heyman would be part of the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class, the company's Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque has now announced the second performer set to be recognized — former All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling star Bull Nakano. Levesque revealed the news on X and recognized the retired wrestler for her contributions to the industry.

"An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long," Levesque said. "Bull Nakano isn't just one of the best women's wrestlers of all time — she's one of the best of all time, period."

Following the news earlier this week that Paul Heyman would be part of the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class, the company's Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque has now announced the second performer set to be recognized — former All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling star Bull Nakano. Levesque revealed the news on X and recognized the retired wrestler for her contributions to the industry.

"An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long," Levesque said. "Bull Nakano isn't just one of the best women's wrestlers of all time — she's one of the best of all time, period."

Nakano began her wrestling career in the early 1980s when she was still a teenager. She captured the AJW Championship before the age of 18 and promptly held onto the title for more than three years. In the early 1990s, after years at the top of the promotion, Nakano left AJW.

In addition to her main body of work in Japan, Nakano made various appearances for both WWE and WCW, primarily from 1994 to 1996. Throughout this time, Nakano had a lengthy rivalry with Alundra Blayze (AKA Madusa). The two feuded in WWE in 1994 and 1995, including a match at WWE SummerSlam 1994, and Nakano later won the WWF Women's Championship for a time. Both Nakano and Blayze wound up leaving the WWF for WCW in 1996 and their feud continued there.

After retiring due to injuries in 1997, Nakano spent some time as a professional golfer. She would later come out of retirement twice for very brief spots in gauntlet matches. It was also recently announced that Nakano would serve as the onscreen commissioner for Sukeban, a United States-based promotion that focuses on Japanese women's wrestling.

The Great Muta To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame

 

ESPN reports that The Great Muta is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. The announcement was made by Ric Flair on today’s episode of The Bump. Muta never appeared for WWE, but has wrestled for WCW, which WWE now owns. He also regularly competed for NJPW, Pro Wresting NOAH and more.

Anonio Inoki Passes Away, Age 79

Yahoo! Japan has broke the news that wrestling legend Antonio Inoki has passed away.

A translated version of the article can be read below.

Former professional wrestler Antonio Inoki (real name Kanji Inoki), who served two terms as a member of the House of Councilors, died at his home on the 1st. he was 79 years old. Born in Yokohama City. Born in 1943 (Showa 18). He lost his father at the age of five, and at the age of thirteen he and his family moved to Brazil to work on coffee farms. When he won the shot put at a local track and field competition, he was scouted by the late Rikidoyama, who was on an expedition to Brazil, and began professional wrestling. He entered Japan Pro Wrestling.

On September 30, 1960, he made his debut on the same day as the late Giant Baba, who turned from professional baseball to professional wrestling, and since 1962, he has used the ring name "Antonio Inoki". After training in the United States, leaving Japan, returning, and being expelled, he married actress Mitsuko Baisho in 1971 (later divorced).

In 1972, he launched New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and after that he built the heyday of professional wrestling. Boxing in June 1976, a "mixed martial arts match" with Muhammad Ali, the world heavyweight champion, attracted attention and was televised around the world.

As a politician, he launched the "Sports and Peace Party" in 1989, and ran for the 15th House of Councilors election in the same year as a proportional representation member with the catchphrases "Fix the swastika in the Diet" and "Slash the consumption tax" and was elected for the first time. He became the first wrestler-turned-member of parliament in history.

WWE And New Japan Pro-Wrestling Reportedly In Talks For Exclusive Partnership

According to a report from F4WOnline‘s Dave Meltzer, WWE president Nick Khan has been having talks with New Japan Pro-Wrestling about WWE becoming the promotion’s exclusive partner in the United States.

According to Meltzer, the talks have been ongoing since March or April, but there’s no status update on where things stand. If the deal would go through, the agreement would see WWE exchanging talent that would work on NJPW events. Meltzer noted that Khan is looking to change the “isolationist attitude” of WWE vs. everyone, and the move would not only re-establish WWE as part of the wrestling landscape but it would also keep New Japan from working with other companies domestically.

In recent months, New Japan has established a working relationship with IMPACT Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling, and worked with Ring Of Honor for many years. It was also recently reported that WWE has been in talks with MLW about a potential working relationship.

During a recent media call, Triple H was asked about by All Elite Wrestling partnering with IMPACT Wrestling and if WWE or NXT would be open to such a collaboration. Triple H says WWE is open for business as long as it makes sense for both sides.

“We’re open for business in a lot of ways and a lot of things,” Triple H responded. “People’s thoughts and misperceptions, their perceived knowledge of what we do and how we think is often greatly misinterpreted and not accurate. Are we open to the right business opportunities? Yeah, at any given time we’re open to things. It just depends on what they are and if they’re beneficial to us in the long-term. When I say long-term I don’t mean three months, I mean 10 years. Long-term. That’s how we think. We’re not necessarily worried about minute-by-minutes. Open for business, I think Vince says that a lot and I’ve been around him long enough that if it’s the right thing and meaningful to business, he’s open to anything.”

source: wrestlezone.com

New Japan Pro-Wrestling Sets Roku Channel TV Deal in U.S., U.K, Canada

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) will air on the Roku Channel in the U.S., U.K., and Canada under a new television deal, Variety has learned.

The professional wrestling promotion will air a one-hour weekly series on the Roku Channel beginning Feb. 11 and will air every Thursday thereafter beginning at 5 p.m. Episodes will then be available on-demand to Roku’s estimated 61.8 million users for free with ads. Additionally, the Roku Channel will host a block of library content, featuring key highlights from the 2020 NJPW catalogue, with potential for the introduction of more historical content in the future. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal will make NJPW the first pro-wrestling promotion to debut on an AVOD service. WWE recently announced that it will be moving the WWE Network over to Peacock, with that transition set to take place on March 18.

source:  variety.com

Exclusive Details On Harvard's WWE Case Study: Who WWE Sees As Their Main Competitor, Royalties

As previously noted, Harvard Business School's Business Of Entertainment, Media, And Sports class will include a case study on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), beginning this fall. Course instructor, Professor Anita Elberse, has been gracious enough to provide me with an advance copy of the WWE case. Here are some highlights that may be of interest to professional wrestling fans:

WWE did not pay for the development of the case; however, a WWE designate approved of the case before publication.

The case takes place in January 2018 and focuses on the questions of whether WWE should try to sign retired MMA fighter Ronda Rousey, and, if so, how such a deal should be structured.

More?

Seth Rollins Continues To Defend WWE Against "Idiots With No Clue

WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins continues to defend the company on Twitter after Sunday's pre-Stomping Grounds tweet about WWE providing the best pro wrestling on the planet.

For those who missed it, Rollins wrote, "Best pro wrestling on the planet. Period."

He later doubled down after the Stomping Grounds Kickoff pre-show match that saw Drew Gulak capture the WWE Cruiserweight Title. Rollins wrote, "Doubling down. Best pro wrestling on the planet. See that Cruiserweight Triple Threat? And that's just one night, one match amongst the many. Find anyone else alive who does what I do as well as I do it as often as I do it. Ya can't. #WWEStompingGrounds #UniversalChampion @WWE"

Rollins later responded to a media tweet that said, "Remember when Seth Rollins said that WWE had the best pro wrestling in the world? #WWEStompingGrounds."

Rollins fired back, "Sure do dorks. And after that PPV I stand by it even more. The crew brought it tonight. From top to bottom all out effort from every person in the ring and out. And you're still talking/writing about it."

Molly Danger creator Jamal Yaseem Igle tweeted and said he loves Rollins, but The Architect should dial it down a notch. Rollins refused. He responded, "Nah dawg, let me dial it up. I've sat back and watched idiots with no clue talk poorly about the place I dedicate my life to EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY. The level I perform at on constant is untouchable. Time to let em know."

As we've noted, Rollins' tweets have received responses from The Usos and Roman Reigns, AEW star Chris Jericho, and top NJPW stars Tama Tonga and Will Ospreay. Ospreay responded to Rollins' "double down" tweet and said he's alive. Rollins fired back and said WWE already has a better version of Ospreay - new WWE United States Champion Ricochet. Rollins wrote, "Ahhhh I'm sorry little guy. We already have a better version of you here and he just won his first US Title tonight (Congrats @KingRicochet). Keep working hard though buddy!"

Update On Chris Jericho Signing With AEW, Removed From WWE Intro, Still Working NJPW?

Chris Jericho signing with All Elite Wrestling looked to be right down to the wire as he had been in talks with WWE in the last few weeks, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Jericho noted yesterday that he is staying with AEW for the "long haul" and that he was looking forward to "changing the universe" with the new promotion. Some are viewing the "changing the universe" as a slight dig at WWE. 

WWE have reacted to Jericho's signing by moving him to the alumni section of their website and also removing him from the opening "THEN NOW FOREVER" intro which airs before the beginning of all WWE programming.  

His contract with AEW is not believed to be an exclusive one and will be free to work NJPW dates should they be able to come to an agreement.

Full List Of CBS Sports Pro Wrestling 2018 Award Winners

Wrestler of the Year: Becky Lynch (WWE)

WWE Male Wrestler of the Year: Johnny Gargano

NJPW Wrestler of the Year: Kota Ibushi

Match of the Year: Kenny Omega def. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW Dominion 6.9)

WWE Match of the Year: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (TLC)

NXT Match of the Year: Andrade "Cien" Almas def. Johnny Gargano (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)

Tag Team of the Year: The Usos (WWE)

Rookie of the Year: Ronda Rousey (WWE)

Commentator of the Year: Mauro Ranallo (NXT)

Comeback Wrestler of the Year: Daniel Bryan (WWE)

Breakthough Wrestler of the Year*: Buddy Murphy (205 Live)

Feud of the Year*: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa (NXT)

Best Pay-Per-View of the Year*: TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs

Best Moment of the Year*: Becky Lynch attacks Ronda Rousey on Raw

Best Promo of the Year*: Daniel Bryan before TLC
Smack Talker of the Year*: Samoa Joe

Worst Angle of the Year*: DeGeneration X vs. Brothers of Destruction

ROH Parent Company CEO On State Of ROH: "Ultimately Should Be Something In The Same Light As WWE"

Earlier today, the Sinclair Broadcast Group (parent company of Ring of Honor) had its third quarter earnings and held a stockholders call. During the call, Ring of Honor was asked about from an investment standpoint and if things are working out based on their initial expectations.

Sinclair Broadcast Group President and CEO, Christopher Ripley, noted how quickly they sold out Madison Square Garden for their April 6 co-promotional event with NJPW during WrestleMania weekend.

He said the brand has potential and wants it seen as something similar to WWE, but they are still dialing things in to grow the promotion. Just for clarification, Ripley also mentioned Beyond Tennis, which is a tennis channel the company previously purchased.

"So, look I think saying that we've invested a lot of money is maybe a slight mischaracterization," Ripley said. "Beyond Tennis, we really haven't spent significant dollars on content and Ring of Honor, I think, we bought for a couple hundred thousand dollars. And it's— we think that's an unpolished gem that ultimately should be something in the same light as WWE. We actually sold out Madison Square Gardens for an event next year in 11 minutes. So, we know that that that brand has potential. It just— it hasn't, we haven't quite found the right dials to turn yet, but we keep increasing the grass roots support on it and it has just a very, very loyal and avid fan base, which is what you really need to explode a brand."

(H/T PWInsider)

Rumor Mill - WWE Has New Working Relationship With NOAH

WWE has a new working relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

There's no word yet on full details of the agreement but this is the first time in decades that WWE has worked with a Japanese promotion. The Observer notes that the deal will see Hideo Itami return to NOAH for an event on August 29th. NOAH does not have a show booked for August 29th as of this writing but they do have their 20th anniversary show on September 1st, which will celebrate Naomichi Marufuji's 20 years in the business. Itami feuded with Marufuji for several years.

It's worth noting that Twitter user Hisame, who provides NOAH updates in English, believes this may be a one-off deal for Itami instead of a working agreement with WWE as NOAH currently has a working relationship with Impact. There has been talk of the Impact - NOAH relationship coming to an end as of late.

"We have an alliance with PROGRESS in the UK, a situation with ICW in Scotland, two very well run and respected promotions that do good business – but more importantly they are cultivating talent. They are not just exploiting talent and grabbing guys to do a show with them, they are teaching talent and trying to make them better, which is what it is all about for me."

"Is there opportunity for cross-promotional events?" Triple H said, "Absolutely, with the right things. It's a blank slate and I'm open to just about anything if the right situation shows itself."

Rumor Mill - Triple H Open To The Idea Of WWE Cross-Promoting With New Japan Pro Wrestling

New Japan Pro Wrestling is carving out a huge place for themselves in the pro wrestling landscape and hearts of fans all over the world. Many people watched Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada's epic Dominion confrontation in awe and although there will always be detractors, the general consensus is the match was a masterpiece.

It seems WWE is being a bit more friendly toward the Bullet Club recently as both The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega were featured in a huge way in WWE's promotion of The New Day's E3 escapades. The Cleaner is also featured on the WWE Network as a "Hidden Gem" where WWE utilized one of the only pieces of footage they had of Omega in Deep South Wrestling to capitalize on his incredible name value.

With New Japan Pro Wrestling and their high match quality making headlines all over the world causing Dave Meltzer to create new spaces for more stars to hand out ratings, a partnership with WWE would be ideal. After all, if the two companies converged or even shared talent it could be a huge advantage all around. But we are still dealing with baby steps at this point and while The New Day and Golden Elite's E3 Street Fighter war was a good start, there is plenty more room to go before the companies actually start sharing talent.

But Triple H seemed open to the idea of joining forces with New Japan eventually when he spoke with Sunsport and compared it to a partnership WWE currently has with a few other companies.

"We have an alliance with PROGRESS in the UK, a situation with ICW in Scotland, two very well run and respected promotions that do good business – but more importantly they are cultivating talent. They are not just exploiting talent and grabbing guys to do a show with them, they are teaching talent and trying to make them better, which is what it is all about for me."

"Is there opportunity for cross-promotional events?" Triple H continued, "Absolutely, with the right things. It's a blank slate and I'm open to just about anything if the right situation shows itself."

It looks like there could be a chance down the line for some incredible cross-promotional opportunities between WWE and New Japan. Because since Triple H could very well eventually find himself in the position where he's the one making the call to join forces with NJPW, it sounds like he's already very open to the idea provided the right situation comes along.

Source: SunSport

Triple H On Who WWE's Biggest Competitor Is, If NJPW Is Forcing Them To Evolve

Triple H appeared on CBS Sports' In This Corner Podcast this week to promote NXT Takeover: Brooklyn this Saturday. Below are a couple of highlights:

Which competitor WWE needs to pay the most attention to:

"When you say, 'What's the No. 2 promotion?' and 'WWE doesn't have a promotion knocking on its door and pushing them,' Raw and SmackDown do. Raw and SmackDown have a promotion right on their tail pushing them to do more. That promotion is going to run a show on Saturday night at the Barclays Center, and it's called NXT.

"[NXT] is going to set a bar, and the main roster is going to have to step up to that bar. And trust me, those are all people that are coming from NXT, and now the kids here are pushing them to do the same thing that they pushed the people in front of them to do."

If the success of NJPW is forcing them to make any adjustments:

"I don't think anyone forces anyone to make adjustments, I think it's just that the world changes. What people will accept changes? What people will like changes?

"People's styles that I bring in, I'm not trying to change these performers, I'm trying to give them a platform and then take them on that platform and make the biggest, global star you can make. Whether that goes on to NXT and then on to SmackDown or Raw, whatever that is. A lot of these kids, I want them to be headlining WrestleMania."

List Of Competitors For The Mae Young Classic

PWInsider reports the following list of competitors for the Mae Young Classic

* Candice La Rae
* Mia Yim aka Jade from Impact Wrestling
* Tessa Blanchard
* Rachel Ellering
* Lei’d Tapa
* Deonna Purrazzo
* Santana Garrett
* Renee Michelle
* Marti Belle, formerly of Impact Wrestling
* Mercedez Martinez
* Kay Lee Rae
* Ayesha Raymond
* Rhea Ripley
* Sage Beckett (formerly Andrea/Mary Kate)
* Kairi Sane (formerly Kaiji Hojo in STARDOM)
* Dakota Kai (formerly Evie)
* Bianca Belair (formerly Bianca Blair)
* Vanessa Borne (current NXT talent Danielle Kamela)
* The former Kimber Lee, Abbey Laith
* Multi-time STARDOM champion Jazzy Gabert
* Taynara Conti
* Kavita Devi, a Great Khali trainee from India
* Lacey Evans
* Sarah Logan aka the former Crazy Mary Dobson
* Toni Storm
* Lucha Libre star Princesa Sugehit
* Reina Gonzales, formerly Victoria Gonzales, the daughter of Rudy Boy Gonzales.
* Zaeda, formerly Julia Ho
* Zhao Xia
* Barbi Hayden
* Shayna Baszler
* Nicole Savoy

Additional names are in town most likely as alternates. Tapings take place tonight and tomorrow with the first four episodes set to air August 28th and the following four episodes set to air September 4. The finals will take place September 10th at 10:00pm

TNA Announces Partnership With Japanese Wrestling Promotion

TNA today issued the following:

IMPACT & PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING NOAH PARTNERSHIP

As announced earlier today in Tokyo, Japan, IMPACT Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH have come to terms on a working relationship. This is an exciting time for both companies with a more formal announcement coming soon.

In a Press Conference held earlier today, NOAH President Masayuki Uchida made the official announcement.

We look forward to making a formal announcement soon in Tokyo and seeing IMPACT Stars compete at NOAH's Yokohama event on March 12. We are thrilled to build this relationship even further with more details to come.

Stay close to impactWrestling.Com and all of our social media channels for more on this exciting partnership.

NJPW Owner Talks WWE Global Expansion

Owner of Bushiroad and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Takaaki Kidani recently took to Twitter to talk a little bit about NJPW's strategy towards WWE's ever-growing global presence. Just this past week, WWE announced a brand new UK Championship and tournament that will help build their influence in England and its surrounding areas going forward. Kidani sees WWE is trying to build new global territories as another way to generate revenue and to tour internationally at a lower cost. Here are his tweets translated by Chris Charlton into English.

"WWE strategy 1: raise roughly 2 billion Yen from the network to create a network of global territories and tie up talent. It's very possible WWE purchase a promotion in Japan. WWE are shoring up their network because of cable cutters and prevalence of streaming, meaning declining TV ratings. The cable TV structure as is will collapse in the US within 3-5 years."

Kidani continues about WWE's attempt to cut costs and create new stars:

"There are many reasons for WWE to create local territories. It cuts cost just to send talent on international tours and not the whole infrastructure. WWE are only functionally profitable in the U.S., Canada and U.K. They have TV elsewhere but that's all. By creating territories, they're able to actually create products with awareness of cultural differences and characteristics of markets. WWE have had difficulty in creating new stars. By going to local territories and broadcasting them, they can create network stars. WWE are taking big gambles, in IT for one."

While keeping things vague, Kidani finishes with this bombshell:

"This isn't the platform to discuss NJPW strategy fully, but we will announce something soon. We are entering a phase where you are either with WWE or against them. WWE have a lot of weaknesses and time is not on their side."

Richie Steamboat Talks NXT Injury That Ended His Career, If He Might Return To The Ring

Former FCW Heavyweight Richie Steamboat was the latest guest on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show. During the interview he discussed the Hall of Fame career of his father, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, as well as his time in FCW. They sent us these highlights.

Watching tapes of old matches to hone his craft:

"To know where you're going, you have to know where you've been. In professional wrestling, even are far back as the 50s and the 60s, understanding the business and how far it's come, and the changes that have happened over the time... Going back to the territory days and watching film, I got a lot of my passion from [that]. As a young kid (I was born in 1987), and my dad retired in '94, so I didn't get a lot of years to watch my father live on TV, so I would go back through old footage and watch things. Not only his wrestling match, I would watch The Four Horsemen, Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, all the legends of our sport."

Being told to wear a mouthguard in Japan:

"I was 21 at the time, maybe 20. What a life-changing experience that wasn't a culture shock for me. Not just the wrestling aspect of it, but the whole Japanese culture. I have Japanese in my blood, my grandmother is full Japanese, and it was my first experience in Japan. What a wonderful time I had with the culture and the fans, and the friends that I made there. But the wrestling is much different than it is here in the states. It's on the front page of the paper, next to the sumo wrestling and the baseball. It's a real sport.

"I'll give you and example. The first thing they asked me when I got to the [Pro Wrestling Noah] dojo, I put my bags down, they asked me if I had a mouthpiece. Because every single night, every show I went to, there [were] multiple people getting knocked out, shoot knocked out every single night, and it is legit."

Why he was forced to retire from in-ring competition:

"The [back] injury couldn't have happened at a worse time in my career. It was really getting to the point where things were taking off, all the hard work I had done for so many years was paying off. I was having a feud with Kassius Ohno on NXT, and I injured my back doing a moonsault. I landed wrong and I lost feeling in everything from my chin down. I could still move everything, but I couldn't feel anything. Over the next few days, feeling started to come back to me, and I wrestled through it. I worked several more weeks and really kind of kept my mouth shut about it because I was given this position and I wanted to make the most of it, I didn't want to give up that opportunity.

"And it got to the point where my son at the time was like two or three and I couldn't even pick him up. I sat down and talked to the WWE doctors to discuss things with then and I flew up to Pittsburgh to see some specialists. The best idea for my career and my future would be to kind of put the breaks on for a little bit and get some things fixed in my back."

A possible return to the ring:

"I've always had that itch for wrestling. It's always been missing from my life... I feel good, my back feels good. I've really been listening to my body and how I feel. I weigh about 215. I love the sport of professional wrestling, I love all the fans, and I appreciate everyone so much and everything that they've given to me. Their cheers and everything that goes along with the sport. I just feel like I need to give back. I don't know, we'll see what happens."

Steamboat also talked about Ricky Steamboat's return to WrestleMania XXV, wrestling dozens of house show matches against Chris Jericho during WM and Backlash season, and more. You can check out the full interview here.

Matt Sydal Arrested In Japan For Drug Possession

Former WWE Tag Team Champion and current New Japan Pro Wrestling star Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne) was arrested in Japan on September 23rd while entering the country. Police found 2.12 grams of liquid marijuana in his possession at the Kansai Airport in Osaka Bay. The liquid marijuana was presumably to be used in an e-cig.

Sydal was convicted on October 13th but there are no details on his punishment yet. This could mean the end of his wrestling career in Japan due to their strict drug laws. He is facing deportation. This could mean the end of his career in NJPW.

Sydal missed several NJPW dates last month and noted on Twitter that he had an issue at the border, causing him to stay in Hawaii. However, this arrest indicates that Sydal never left Japan.

Hi everyone. Had passport trouble at the border after spending an extra day at LAX. Chillin in Hawaii until this sorts out #travelwoes

— Matt Sydal (@findevan) September 25, 2016

AJ Styles Makes Pro Wrestling History at WWE Backlash

AJ Styles proved tonight that he truly is phenomenal. The 39-year-old veteran defeated Dean Ambrose in the main event of WWE Backlash to win the WWE World Champion, becoming the first man in wrestling history to win the WWE World Championship, TNA World Championship, and IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Brock Lesnar had previously held the WWE and IWGP titles, Shinsuke Nakamura has been IWGP Champion and NXT Champion, Finn Balor is a former IWGP Jr. Champion and WWE Champion, and there are several wrestlers who have been WWE and TNA champion, but no man until Styles has managed to obtain the top world titles of all three top professional wrestling promotions in the world.

As additional icing on the cake, Styles is also a former Ring of Honor Pure Champion, PWG Champion, and because of the early association between TNA and the NWA, he is also technically a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

What makes all these even sweeter for the self-proclaimed “face that runs the place”? Styles left TNA as world champion in October 2013, meaning that he has accomplished this feat in a little under three years. In addition, it was only 14 months ago that he lost the IWGP title to Kazuchika Okada, and he is currently only in his ninth month as a WWE Superstar, debuting at the 2016 Royal Rumble.