Various: Backstage Update on Shozti Heading to MLW, Eric Bischoff on Being Confident Real American Freestyle Wrestling Will Land Broadcast Deal, Indies/Misc.

Backstage Update on Shozti Heading to MLW

As noted before, Shotzi was released from WWE earlier this month as part of a larger batch of talent releases. Shotzi’s departure was revealed to have been due to her contract not being renewed by WWE. This past Saturday’s Azteca Lucha 2025 event featured a video teasing Shozti’s upcoming debut in Major League Wrestling.

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed that Shotzi will be heading to MLW for their upcoming Summer of the Beasts 2025 event on June 26th in New York City, New York.

It was reported that those within MLW spoken to confirmed that Shotzi is currently planned to work for multiple events for the company. MLW officials reportedly currently have plans for a match between Shotzi and TJPW talent Shoko Nakajima to take place at an upcoming event.

It was also reported that Shotzi is currently expected to have meaningful creative input and some say over her opponents for her career in MLW.

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Eric Bischoff Comments on Being Confident Real American Freestyle Wrestling Will Land Broadcast Deal

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famers Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan announced the official launch of a new wrestling promotion called Real American Freestyle Wrestling this past April.

A recent episode of The Ariel Helwani Show featured Bischoff and Hogan as the guests. One of the topics discussed included Bischoff’s thoughts about him feeling confident that his new Real American Freestyle promotion will secure a broadcast deal.

“As a matter of fact, as soon as we’re done with this, I have a call with a major platform that everybody would know about and recognize. We may end up there, we may not. We are going to end up on a platform on August 30th. We’re in discussions. I don’t even want to call negotiations. I’ll be really straightforward with you on this. We’re in discussions with two different platforms. Like I said, one over the next 45 minutes. I’m confident that we’re going to land a streaming opportunity and it may be a cable broadcast, but time will tell, you know.

I’m not concerned that we won’t have a platform. I’m only concerned with which one it will be and how it will work for us.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

As noted before, Indie Wrestling Hall of Famer and ECW legend Sabu passed away this past Sunday at the age of 60. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that prior to his passing, Sabu was filmed last week for content for a planned new documentary based on the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. Johnson reported that a new documentary based on Sabu’s last match with Joey Janela for his wrestling career had also been planned.

WWE recently released a tribute video honoring the memory and wrestling legacy of the late Sabu.

WWE Hall of Famer and ECW legend Rob Van Dam recently paid tribute to Sabu on Twitter. RVD stated “Here we were just a few weeks ago at Wrestlecon. You never know when it’s the last time you’ll be together when it comes to this. Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry. You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me personally. He’s been a tremendous influence since I was 18 years old , when I met him. Learning to be an adult, while you’re in the crazy environment of this business can go several different ways. I’m proud to have been able to carry on so many of Sheik and Sabu’s values, both in and out of the ring. Sabu helped make me the wrestler I am, the person I am, and I’ll always be proud of that and grateful. and because he loved the business more than anyone I know… wRESTle IN PEACE.“

Game Changer Wrestling also recently released a tribute video in honor of the memory and wrestling legacy of the late Sabu.

GCW also recently announced that Masha Slamovich, Bear Bronson, Mickie Knuckles, and Lil Sicko will be making an appearance for the company at their Cage of Survival 4 event on June 8th in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

ACTION Wrestling recently announced that The Beast Mortos is the next official competitor for the 10-Man Cibernetico match at their co-promoted ACTION DEAN~!!!2 event with AEW/ROH on May 24th in Glendale, Arizona.

World Wrestling Council recently announced that Carlito will be making an appearance for the company at their Summer Madness event on May 31st at the Pepín Cestero Arena in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This will be Carlito’s first appearance for the company since 2023.

Major League Wrestling recently announced that Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling talent Yuki Kamifuku will be making her official debut appearance for the company at their Summer of the Beats 2025 event on June 26th in New York City, New York.

PROGRESS Wrestling announced that Luke Jacobs recently reached the milestone of 288 days as PROGRESS World Champion and surpassed the previous record held by Pete Dunne for longest ever PROGRESS World Champion reign in company history.

WrestleCon recently announced that Will Ospreay will be making an appearance at their WrestleCon Destination Newark event on August 1-2 in Newark, New Jersey.