Various: Big Damo Reportedly Signed Contract Extension with MLW, Dark Side of the Ring Ratings for 8/4, Indies/Misc.

AEW

Aug 15, 2026

Big Damo Reportedly Signed Contract Extension with MLW

As noted before, Big Damo has been signed with Major League Wrestling since this past April and made his official debut for the company at the May 9th MLW Fusion tapings in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Big Damo recently signed a contract extension with MLW and is currently expected to remain with the company for the foreseeable future.

Dark Side of the Rings Ratings – Aug. 4, 2026

The August 4th episode of Dark Side of the Ring drew 93,000 viewers on VICE TV, down from the prior week show’s 135,000 viewers.

It drew a 0.03 rating in the 18-49 key demographic, down from the prior week show’s 0.04 rating.

This week’s episode focused on former WCW wrestler Renegade.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently released a video featuring a retrospective of Hiroyoshi Tenzan’s 35-year wrestling career.

NJPW reportedly drew a paid attendance of 2,741 for their Aug. 8th G1 Climax 2026 event in Yokohama, 1,615 for their Aug. 9th G1 Climax 2026 event in Takasaki, 2,310 for their Aug. 11th G1 Climax 2026 event in Tsu, 2,075 for their Aug. 12th G1 Climax 2026 event in Hamamatsu, and 1,494 for their Aug. 13th G1 Climax 2026 event in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

House of Glory recently announced that Xelina, former Zelina Vega in WWE, will be making her official debut appearance for the company at their Fallout event on September 4 in Los Angeles, California.

Former WWE commentator Pat McAfee recently released his debut music album titled “The Diary Of A Polarizing Figure” on Spotify and YouTube.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources stated that Major League Wrestling is currently actively pursuing talent it considers as potential top names for their Women’s division including former TNA and current CMLL talent Tessa Blanchard.

As noted before, TNA Wrestling officials currently are planning to bring in more women’s talent for their Knockouts division following the recent departures of Sade and Threat, among others since the start of this year. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources stated that TNA currently has their eye on veteran women’s indies talent for potential new signings including some of the names who had responded publicly to his previous report.

CMLL reportedly drew an attendance of around 13,200 for their Aug. 7th International Grand Prix 2026 event at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE officials currently do not have any plans to raid CMLL for talent for their Lucha Libre AAA brand. Meltzer reported that since signing La Catalina from CMLL for AAA, the current belief is that WWE officials rather fill their weekly AAA TV shows with both WWE talent and existing major name AAA stars for the time being. Meltzer reported that Persephone is expected to get an offer from WWE once her contract with CMLL and AEW expires. Meltzer also reported that WWE’s current plans could always change if they get an American television deal and more sponsors for AAA, as well as increasing the budget for AAA’s roster.

In regards to WWE’s attempts to flood the market with three upcoming major WWE and AAA shows in Mexico to hurt CMLL’s ticket sales for their 93rd Anniversary show, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that those efforts had no effect. CMLL reportedly has already reached sold out status for their upcoming Anniversary event on September 18 and AEW’s Grand Slam Mexico 2026 show on August 5 also had reached out sold status by the time of the show.

Stardom reportedly drew a paid attendance of 592 for their Aug. 8th 5STAR Grand Prix 2026 event in Sapporo and 716 for their Aug. 9th 5STAR Grand Prix 2026 event in Sapporo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Pro Wrestling NOAH reportedly drew a paid attendance of 1,589 for their Aug. 9th Legacy Rise 2026 event in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.