Various: Update on Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler Recovering From Recent Stroke, Tetsuya Naito Says He’s Unlikely to Obtain U.S. Visa in 2025 & Why NJPW Is His Only Option in Japan, Indies/Misc.

Update on Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler Recovering From Recent Stroke

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler suffered a stroke last week and is currently recovering from it.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Lawler was released on Thursday from the hospital in Florida and had traveled back to his home in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Tetsuya Naito Says He’s Unlikely to Obtain U.S. Visa in 2025 & Why NJPW Is His Only Option in Japan

Tokyo Sports held a recent interview with former New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Tetsuya Naito.

In the article, it was reported that Naito has been facing difficulties trying to obtain a work visa for the United States and he currently feels he is unlikely to get one by the end of this year.

Naito also gave his thoughts about how NJPW is the only option he is considering for bookings in Japan.

“That feeling from my entrance exam, when I said, ‘My feelings for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, my dedication to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, are unmatched by anyone’—that sentiment still remains, at least to some extent. Right now, when it comes to domestic rings, New Japan is the only option I’m considering. But I left there with the courage to take that step. If my only domestic options are limited to New Japan, then I want to fight overseas, in places I’ve never shown myself live before.”

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Thursday’s TNA Impact! show featured Eric Young turning on The Northern Armory’s Judas Icarus & Travis Williams and attacked them following Williams’ loss to Joe Hendry in a singles match.

In a recent virtual fan signing event for Signed By Superstars, Moose gave his thoughts about how he wishes he could work for Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling promotion but is currently unable to do so due to MLP’s current relationship with AEW. Moose stated “I talk to him (Scott D’Amore) at least once every other week, maybe once a month. He’s doing great. He has his new fed, Maple Leaf Pro. They’re doing awesome. I wish I could work for them but you know how business is with the whole TNA — they have a relationship with AEW, we’re in competition with AEW so you know how all that whole nonsense goes.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

Johnny “Dango” Curtis, also known as JDC in TNA, announced on Instagram that he recently got married to his significant other Emily. JDC stated “In your love, I’ve found my home. Feeling so incredibly blessed to have so many friends and loved ones come together to celebrate with us. It was truly the best day of my life.“

TNA Wrestling announced four new matches for the card of next week’s Impact! show on September 18th on AXS TV and Sportsnet 360:

• TNA World Tag Team Championship – The Nemeths (Ryan & Nic Nemeth) vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) (c)
• Six-Knockouts Tag Team match – The Elegance Brand (M, Heather, & Ash By Elegance) vs. The IInspiration (Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee) & Masha Slamovich
• Mustafa Ali vs. Brian Myers
• Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell
• Frankie Kazarian to speak

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Salina de la Renta and Jesus Rodriguez have taken on a larger roles behind the scenes in talent relations for Major League Wrestling.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the recent online rumors about Ring of Honor owner Tony Khan had moved the date for ROH’s Death Before Dishonor 2025 event a second time in order to attend MJF and Alicia Atout’s recent wedding is true.

Former WWE talent Braun Strowman announced on Instagram that he recently suffered a broken wrist injury.

Revolution Pro Wrestling recently announced that Los Trenquilos De Japon (BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito) & Trent Seven is the next official team for their
2025 Trios Grand Prix tournament event on September 20-21 in Barcelona, Spain.

This past Wednesday’s Stardom Nighter In Korakuen event in Tokyo, Japan featured Koguma defeating Dark Silueta to become the new CMLL Women’s World Champion. Koguma won the title after the referee called off the match due to Datk Silueta suffering a shoulder injury.

In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, Katsuyori Shibata gave his thoughts about why he is unlikely to be the potential final opponent of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s wrestling career at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 event. Shibata stated “I think Aaron Wolf would be the best. I think it would be interesting if Wolf’s debut match was Tanahashi’s retirement match. If they offered me the job and I could do it, I’d love to. However, I’m kind of banned from the ring too, so it might be difficult (laughs).“

In a recent interview with The Howard Stern Show, Hollywood producer James Gunn revealed that former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista was his first choice to play the character of Peacemaker before the role was given to John Cena. Gunn stated “I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him, and we offered him the role, but [he] was offered two movies, and we weren’t paying him a lot, so he had to go where the money was.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)