Various: Kota Ibushi Health Update, NWA Announces Teams for Champions Series, Indies

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Kota Ibushi has been out of action for New Japan Pro Wrestling since early July due to him currently suffering from health issues caused by the side effects of a recent COVID-19 vaccination and an undisclosed illness.

NJPW announced that they have pulled Ibushi from their July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Summer Struggle 2021 events in Japan due to him recently being diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. The company also announced that an official decision regarding Ibushi’s status for their upcoming Wrestle Grand Slam 2021 event on July 25th in Tokyo will be made after they assess his recovery progress.

NJPW also announced that Ibushi’s current bout with pneumonia was not revealed to have been caused by a side effect of his recent COVID-19 vaccination.

Official press release:

Kota Ibushi has been out of competition since the beginning of the Summer Struggle series due to illness. After careful investigation and thorough assessment, he has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia.

Ibushi’s illness was originally reported as a result of side effects arising from his COVID-19 vaccination. Aspiration pneumonia has no connection to COVID vaccinations, and Ibushi’s illness is not a result of his inoculation. We apologise for any misunderstanding. Ibushi has also tested negative for COVID-19.

In order to give Ibushi more time to make a full in ring recovery, he will be absent from cards on July 22 and 23 in Osaka, as well as July 24 in Nagoya. A final decision on his participation at Wrestle Grand Slam on July 25 will be made after assessing Ibushi’s recovery.

As a result changes will be made to the cards in Osaka and Nagoya as outlined below. We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ibushi wrestle.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling deeply apologises for the concern and inconvenience caused by this news. We appreciate your understanding, and hope you join us in wishing Ibushi the very best in his recovery. 

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NWA Announces Full List of Participants & Teams For Champions Series Tournament

During this past Tuesday’s episode of NWA Powerrr, the National Wrestling Alliance announced the full field of participants and teams for their upcoming Champions Series tournament.

The NWA also announced that this new tournament will start on the July 27th episode of Powerrr.

Full list of participants and teams for Champions Series:

• Team Kamille & Austin Idol – Thom Latimer, Kenzie Paige, Kratos, Mims, & Sal Rinauro
• Team Aron Steves & Taryn Terrell – Tyrus, Lady Frost, JTG, Marshe Rockett, & Jordan Clearwater
• Team Nick Aldis & Melina – Crimson, Skye Blue, Fred Rosser, Slice Boogie, & Jeremiah Plunkett
• Team Da Pope & Velvet Sky -Trevor Murdoch, Jennacide, Jax Dane, The Masked Man, & Colby Corino

The NWA also announced the first set of matches for their upcoming Champions Series tournament.

• Team Kamille vs. Team Stevens – Thom Latimer vs. Marshe Rockett, Kratos vs. Tyrus, Kenzie Paige vs. Lady Frost, Mims vs. JTG
• Team Aldis vs. Team Pope – Skye Blue vs. Jennacide, Fred Rosser vs. Trevor Murdoch, Crimson vs. The Masked Man, Slice Boogie vs. Jax Dane

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced that Penelope Ford will be making an appearance for the company at their Homecoming 2021 Night 2 event on July 25th in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

GCW also announced that they will be holding an event called The Art of War on September 4th in Chicago, Illinois.

Premier Wrestling Federation announced that former wrestler Steve Cornio will be making an appearance for the company at their August 27th event in North Carolina. Cornio will be facing off against his son Colby in a singles match at the event.

As noted before, Tryus (former Brodus Clay in WWE) has been dealing with a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by Fox News commentator and Fox Nation host Britt McHenry. Deadline reported that McHenry recently reached a settlement deal with Fox News over the lawsuit as part of her recent departure from the company. It was reported that both sides had filed a voluntary dismissal of the case this past Monday in a federal court.

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that based on the results of a recent fan vote, handcuffs will be a legal elimination option for the Provisional King of Pro Wrestling 2021 Ranbo match at their upcoming Wrestle Grand Slam 2021 event on July 25th in Tokyo, Japan.

NJPW also announced two new matches for the card of their Resurgence event on August 14th in Los Angeles, California:

• Karl Fredericks vs. Alex Coughlin
• Fred Rosser, Rocky Romero, & Wheeler Yuta vs. TJP, Clark Connors, & Ren Narita

NJPW also announced that Drama King Matt, former Aiden English in WWE, will be joining their English commentary team for the FITE.TV broadcast of their upcoming Resurgence event.