Various: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor Says He Needs Hip Replacement & Spinal Surgery, Freddie Prince Jr. on Why His Plans to Launch New Wrestling Promotion Is On Hold, Indies/Misc.

Jul 1, 2025

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor Says He Needs Hip Replacement & Spinal Surgery

A recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Live featured indies wrestler and co-host “Filthy” Tom Lawlor announcing that he was recently told by his doctors that he needs hip replacement and “some sort” of spinal surgery. Lawlor also stated that he currently does not know how long he would be out of action nor if he would ever be able to wrestle again.

“A few weeks ago, I had some tests done, some scans done. Obviously, I have not been in the ring for six weeks now. I had some scans done and, unfortunately, it sounds as if I’m heading towards…what I’ve been told I need to have done is a hip replacement on my left hip and some sort of spinal surgery. The L5-S1 vertebrae in my back, down at the bottom, I have herniated discs; there are no discs there anymore. The spinal column, that portion, is out of place and is pinching a nerve in my back, and that is why I’ve lost a lot of feeling in my left leg. Some size, atrophy. Really, I have a hard time walking. This all happened very quickly. I don’t know how long I’m going to be on the shelf. I don’t know if I’ll ever wrestle again. It really depends on what the neurosurgeon says. I’m going to get a few different opinions. I’ve gotten about 50 different opinions already from multiple people. I’ve also been told I could be a candidate for disc replacement, which is a newer surgery. Physically, I’m doing awful. Mentally, emotionally, I’m fine.”

Lawlor also stated that the injuries were due to wear and tear over the years.

Lawlor last wrestled this past May for Absolute Intense Wrestling.

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Freddie Prince Jr. Comments on Why His Plans to Launch New Wrestling Promotion Is On Hold

As noted before, actor and former WWE writer Freddie Prince Jr. has been working on plans since May of 2022 to launch a new wrestling promotion.

A recent episode of the Wrestling With Freddie podcast featured host Prince Jr. providing an update stating that he has currently put his plans to launch a new promotion on hold and the reasons for his decision.

“Yeah, let me be completely straight up and get this out of the way because I think I’ve hinted at in an earlier episode but I didn’t really give the details so, this was and still is, but right now, it’s a dream that’s on hold. This was a huge dream of mine and I got really freakin’ close. At the end of the day, what I wanted to buy, wanted to be sold for more than what I could bring to the table and other companies have — like WWE and AEW have infinite amounts of cash and I have — what’s the opposite of infinite? A finite amount of cash. So, after the L.A. fires, we decided to move because we were really close where all that went down. It literally hit our street, when we were evacuated and so we moved. So my wrestling money went into buying a beautiful home for my family, that we all feel very safe and comfortable in and the dream will have to come about a different way. I haven’t given up on it but I did have to shelve it based on life and circumstances and tough business negotiations that I just wasn’t able to get a favorable position in… I’m not giving up on it. It just has to be on hold while I make a couple movies.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Major League Wrestling announced that they recently signed a new partnership deal with Panini America for the production of official MLW trading cards.

Sukeban announced that they have recently signed a new partnership with TikTok to “create an innovative experience” at this July’s 2025 Anime Expo event in Los Angeles, California. It was announced that this experience will be “featuring interactive programming, demos, autograph signings, and tutorials celebrating anime, manga and Japanese culture.” It was also announced that TikTok will be the presenting partner for Sukeban’s World Championship Fight event on July 5th as part of this year’s Anime Expo.

Joey Janela recently announced that Wheeler Yuta and former WCW wrestler Crowbar will be making an appearance for his promoted Cannonballfest event on September 14th in New Providence, New Jersey. This upcoming event will be a benefit show for indies wrestler Jeff Cannonball to help financially support his battle with ALS.

Josh Barnett recently announced that Nick Comoroto, Simon Gotch, and Matt Mako will be making an appearance for Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV event on August 2nd in Rutherford, New Jersey.

CMLL talent Zeuxis announced on Twitter that she underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus. Zeuxis stated “After 1 month with a torn meniscus and working at 100%, finally coming out of surgery, and ready for recovery and to be at 1000%, I will be away from what I love most, which is the ring and the fans, but I promise to return and take back everything that belongs to me.“

CMLL announced one new match for the card of their Super Vernes event on July 4th at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico:

Trios match – Mascara Dorada, Templario, & Esfinge vs. The Beast Mortos, Averno, & Ultimo Guerrero

Fightful reported that Lucha Libre AAA was recently granted approval for their trademark filings for “Octagon” and El Hijo de Octagon” by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property.

AAA recently announced one new match for the card of their Verano de Escándalo event on July 11th in Aguascalientes, Mexico: