J

Jitu Jangir

9729 Articles

I'm a wrestling writer at Sacnilk and my credentials are simply meant to be momentary-awake deliver of Wrestling.

Articles Written By Jitu Jangir

SANADA Becomes The New IWGP World Champion At Sakura Genesis
1218 days ago
NJPW

SANADA Becomes The New IWGP World Champion At Sakura Genesis

In the main event of Sakura Genesis, a New Japan Pro Wrestling tournament, SANADA achieved a remarkable feat. He defeated Kazuchika Okada and clinched the coveted IWGP World Heavyweight Champion title, marking his first world championship win in his career. ## To secure the win, SANADA executed his new finishing move, Deadfall, and pinned "The Rainmaker" Okada. ## SANADA, the newest member of Just 5 Guys, utilized the New Japan Cup to not only bounce back but also discover a new edge to himself. He had been on a losing streak that made him question his position in NJPW, especially after he was overlooked for his mentor Keiji Muto's retirement match in favor of his former stablemate Tetsuya Naito. SANADA realized that he needed to make changes. ## SANADA's title victory ended Okada's second reign with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, which lasted for 95 days. This was the shortest reign in Okada's career. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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UFC 287 Results: Alex Pereira Vs. Israel Adesanya Full Fight & Winner
1219 days ago
UFC News

UFC 287 Results: Alex Pereira Vs. Israel Adesanya Full Fight & Winner

Alex Pereira Vs. Israel Adesanya takes place on April 8, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, United States. ## The much-awaited headline bout of the forthcoming UFC fight card will showcase a highly anticipated rematch between the reigning middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, and the former UFC titleholder, Israel Adesanya. Pereira claimed victory in their previous encounter, dominating Adesanya and finishing him with a technical knockout in the fifth round of UFC 281 last November. ## UFC 287 Results: Alex Pereira Vs. Israel Adesanya Full Fight Highlights ## ROUND 1: Israel and Alex engage in some low kicks, cautiously testing each other out. Their familiarity with one another is evident as they exchange blows. Both fighters land low kicks, signaling a deliberate and strategic approach to the fight. Adesanya seeks to seize control of the fight, but Pereira is not one to yield easily. Both fighters continue to exchange low kicks, attempting to find weaknesses in their opponent's defense. One and a half minutes have elapsed, and the pace of the fight remains slow and measured. ## Adesanya attempts a feint, going low then high, but his strike misses the mark. Pereira begins to push Adesanya back and lands more low kicks. However, Adesanya refuses to give ground and holds his position at the center of the ring. He shows significant improvement compared to their last fight. ## Pereira has yet to throw a punch, opting to remain patient and wait for the opportune moment to strike. He jabs at Adesanya's body, following up with another low kick. Adesanya finds himself on the back foot once again. Both fighters continue to feint and probe, looking for openings in their opponent's defense. Adesanya lands a body kick. ## With 90 seconds remaining, neither fighter has made a significant impact on the fight. They continue to touch each other with cautious strikes. Pereira lands several low kicks while Adesanya throws a punch or two, but neither fighter is throwing with much power or conviction. Pereira attempts a head kick, but Adesanya manages to evade it. Adesanya responds with a left hand that lands. Pereira continues to press forward, but neither fighter is willing to commit fully to an attack. Pereira lands another low kick, a strike that has been effective throughout the fight. ## ROUND 2: The first round was a close call, but I gave it to Pereira due to his committed calf kicks. However, it could easily have gone the other way, as Adesanya is no stranger to winning scorecards. Both fighters looked fresh as they came out for the second round, with Adesanya taking the center more aggressively. Pereira expressed confidence in his leg kicks, and he started to take charge of the center of the ring. ## Adesanya attempted a few kicks, but none of them connected. Pereira grazed Adesanya with a head kick, forcing him to back up and allowing Pereira to go on the offensive. He was hunting for Adesanya, and he had him backed up against the fence, landing shots as Adesanya looked for a way out. Adesanya kept his eyes up and returned fire, managing to break free after a few exchanges. ## Now it was Adesanya's turn to take the lead, landing a right hand of his own. However, Pereira blocked his head kick and went back to attacking Adesanya's legs, showcasing excellent defense. Pereira backed Adesanya up with a jab, prompting Adesanya to look for a big right hand over the top. He was really taking charge, moving forward and looking for opportunities to strike, but he was eating calf kicks in the process. The pace of the fight began to slow down, and Pereira started to back up. Adesanya attempted a counter, landing a left hand, but Pereira took it well. Pereira then took the center, while Adesanya landed a good right hand to the body. He had landed that shot a couple of times, but he still ate a low kick. ## Adesanya continued to push Pereira back, refusing to give ground easily. However, Pereira landed a counter, and with late in the round, he began to stalk Adesanya. He landed a low kick that buckled Adesanya's left leg, and Adesanya found himself in trouble, backed up against the fence. Another leg kick hurt him, and Pereira continued to hunt for the finish. But then, out of nowhere, Adesanya caught Pereira! Pereira was hurt, and Adesanya put him to sleep with a vicious knockout punch! ## UFC 287 Results: Alex Pereira Vs. Israel Adesanya Fight Winner ## WINNER: Israel Adesanya via KO (punches) RD 2, 4:21 ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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WWE SmackDown 4/7/23 Full Review, Match Ratings, Results
1219 days ago
SmackDown

WWE SmackDown 4/7/23 Full Review, Match Ratings, Results

SmackDown's WrestleMania 39 fallout episode took place tonight from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The show started with WWE showing an in-memory graphic for Bushwacker Butch Miller. A video package recapped WrestleMania 39 last weekend. ## The Brawling Brutes Vs Imperium ## These two teams seemed incapable of having a lackluster match, as they put on an intense and thrilling opener filled with hard-hitting action. Sheamus received a thunderous reaction from the crowd during his highly-anticipated showdown with Gunther.## The match started off with Butch and Giovanni Vinci engaging in a fast-paced exchange of moves. However, the tides quickly turned as Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser took control by isolating Ridge Holland. With Gunther's timely distraction, Vinci and Kaiser successfully collaborated to keep Holland at bay. In a dramatic turn of events, Vinci executed a brainbuster on Holland just before the match went to a break.## Upon returning from the commercial break, Vinci attempted a suplex on Butch, but to no avail as Butch landed on his feet and delivered a devastating kick to Vinci's head. Soon after, Kaiser and Holland entered the ring, with Holland gaining the upper hand in the ensuing confrontation. Nevertheless, Imperium quickly regained their composure and managed to cut Holland off from his corner. In a near fall, Gunther delivered a powerful powerbomb to Holland after knocking Sheamus off the apron.## Despite being caught in a Boston crab, Holland eventually escaped, and Sheamus received the hot tag, unleashing his fury on Gunther. Sheamus executed the ten beats of Bodhran, striking Gunther with ten swift blows. Sheamus then went for the Brogue Kick, but Gunther deftly countered with a German suplex. With Vinci tagging in, the match became a flurry of high-impact moves, culminating in Butch wiping out Kaiser with a stunning moonsault. Sheamus landed a knee to Vinci's face, followed by the Brogue Kick, securing the victory for his team. ## WINNERS: The Brawling Brutes ## MATCH TIME: 11:43 ## MATCH RATING: **** ## Ricochet Vs Ivar (w/Valhalla) (4:07) ## Under Adam Pearce's orders, Eric and Braun Strowman were prohibited from accompanying their respective partners to ringside. ## At the onset of the match, Ricochet utilized his agility and quickness to send Ivar flying to the floor. However, Ricochet's attempt at a suicide dive was caught by Ivar, who proceeded to hurl him into the LED side of the ring, followed by a crushing crossbody splash. Although Ivar seemed to have the upper hand, Ricochet was able to break free from the corner where Ivar had placed him. ## Despite Ivar's impressive spinning heel kick, Ricochet managed to fend him off as he climbed the ropes. In a dramatic turn of events, Ivar knocked Ricochet onto the apron, but Ricochet rebounded and executed a sensational springboard hurricanrana, followed by a picture-perfect shooting star press, securing the victory. ## WINNERS: Ricochet ## MATCH TIME: 4:07 ## MATCH RATING: *** ## Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan Vs Natalya & Shotzi ## In a bid to boost their credibility ahead of their championship showdown against Becky Lynch and Lita on Raw, Rodriguez and Morgan secured a swift victory in their latest match. During an inset interview, Natalya and Shotzi boldly declared their worthiness of a title shot, labeling themselves as fearless antagonists. ## From the onset of the match, Natalya and Shotzi relentlessly targeted Rodriguez, ultimately sending her tumbling to the floor. Displaying remarkable teamwork, Natalya held the ropes open, allowing Shotzi to execute an impressive suicide dive. ## However, Morgan and Rodriguez soon took control, cutting Shotzi off from her corner and leaving her at their mercy. In a moment of sheer determination, Natalya and Shotzi managed to regroup and execute an assisted sliced bread. They then positioned themselves for the Hart Attack, but their plans were thwarted by Rodriguez's timely intervention. With the advantage firmly in their grasp, Morgan delivered a devastating DDT and sealed the deal with her signature finishing move, oblivion, securing the win. ## WINNERS: Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan ## MATCH TIME: 2:51## MATCH RATING: ** ## Dominik Mysterio & Damien Priest (w/Rhea Ripley & Finn Balor) Vs Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar (w/Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, & Joaquin Wilde) ## Dominik teased starting the match with his father Rey, but instead surprised everyone by tagging in Priest. Judgement Day quickly took over, strategically isolating Rey on their side of the ring. Despite his best efforts, Rey struggled to break free from their grip until he finally managed to tag in Escobar. The latter caught Dominik with two impressive tilt-a-whirl backbreakers, before launching Rey into Priest with a well-executed hurricanrana. To the delight of the crowd, both Rey and Escobar followed up with simultaneous suicide dives on opposite sides of the ring. ## Upon their return from commercial break, Judgement Day resumed their domination, cutting Escobar off from his corner and relentlessly wearing him down. But Escobar eventually managed to break free and tagged in Rey, who swiftly knocked Priest off the apron. Rey geared up to deliver his signature 619 to Dominik, but was interrupted by the interference of Ripley. In response, Vega took matters into her own hands and knocked Ripley out of the equation with a perfectly executed hurricanrana. Ripley was so enraged that she proceeded to chase Vega out of the arena. ## With the focus back in the ring, Priest made a strategic blind tag while Rey hit the 619 on Dominik, setting up Escobar for his phantom driver. However, Priest was now the legal man and took full advantage of the confusion to knock Mysterio off the apron and hit Escobar with his devastating South of Heaven finisher, ultimately securing the victory. ## WINNERS: Dominik Mysterio & Damien Priest (w/Rhea Ripley & Finn Balor) ## MATCH TIME:10:12 ## MATCH RATING: *** ## Jey Uso Vs Sami Zayn ## In a solid main event, Jey Uso defeated Zayn, but there were constant hints that Jey would turn on The Bloodline. At one point, Jey even saved Zayn from an attack by Solo Sikoa, but instead, Jey ended up attacking Zayn himself until Matt Riddle came to Zayn's rescue. Jey had the initial advantage with a side headlock, but Zayn soon fired back, sending Uso out of the ring. As Zayn was about to dive out, Solo Sikoa appeared at ringside.## After the commercial break, Zayn and Jey engaged in a fierce battle on the top turnbuckle. Zayn executed a superplex and took control of the match. Jey rallied with a superkick for a close two-count.## Uso got in Zayn's face, but Zayn quickly countered and hit an exploder in the corner. Jey narrowly avoided Zayn's Helluva Kick and countered with a roll-up for a near fall. Zayn fought back with the Blue Thunder Bomb for another close two-count. Zayn climbed the top rope, but Jey cut him off. Jey then distracted the referee, allowing Solo Sikoa to intervene with a Samoan spike. Jey followed up with a dropkick for the victory. ## WINNERS: Jey Uso ## MATCH TIME:9:49 ## MATCH RATING: *** ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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Two Major Matches Announced For 4/12/23 AEW Dynamite, Updated Lineup
1219 days ago
AEW News

Two Major Matches Announced For 4/12/23 AEW Dynamite, Updated Lineup

On the upcoming April 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, two exciting matches have been announced that are sure to thrill wrestling fans. The first match will feature former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho facing off against the imposing Keith Lee in a first-time-ever singles showdown. The stage for this match was set during a recent episode of AEW Rampage, when Lee confronted Jericho and tensions quickly escalated. ## Meanwhile, Darby Allin and Swerve Strickland will also face off in a singles match, renewing their longstanding rivalry that dates back to their pre-AEW days. Strickland recently revealed that his faction, Mogul Affiliates, had merged with The Embassy, and after a brutal attack on Allin, the two wrestlers will settle their score in the ring once and for all. ## In another exciting matchup, Orange Cassidy will defend his AEW International Championship belt against Buddy Matthews of the House of Black. After Cassidy defeated Dralistico to retain the gold, Matthews issued a challenge to the champ, and now the two will square off in what is sure to be an epic battle. Cassidy will need to be on top of his game to retain his title against this formidable opponent. ## Elsewhere on the card, Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa will step up to defend The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) when they take on the Blackpool Combat Club's Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli. The BCC has been relentlessly attacking The Elite in recent weeks, even sending The Young Bucks to the hospital. Cutler has stated that it's time to stand up to bullies like the BCC and show that The Elite are a force to be reckoned with. Wrestling fans won't want to miss this action-packed episode of AEW Dynamite. ## 4/12/23 AEW Dynamite, Updated Lineup ## -Keith Lee vs. Chris Jericho ## -Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland## -AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs Buddy Matthews## -Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brandon Cutler & Michael Nakazawa## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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AEW Rampage Results April 7, 2023: Highlights, Commentary, Live Update, Winners
1219 days ago
AEW Rampage

AEW Rampage Results April 7, 2023: Highlights, Commentary, Live Update, Winners

Here are the full results for AEW Rampage which takes place on April 7, 2023, from Ryan Center in Kingston, RI. ## AEW Rampage airs every Friday at 10 pm ET on TNT in the United States. It is AEW's second weekly television show, positioned behind their flagship show, Dynamite. ## AEW Rampage Results April 7, 2023 ## FTW Rules Match: Hook (c) Vs Ethan Page ## This intense matchup featured no-disqualification rules and a falls-count-anywhere stipulation. The two wrestlers immediately brawled into the crowd, unleashing their fury on each other. Hook displayed his strength early on, executing a powerful T-Bone suplex on Page, causing him to crash to the floor. ## As the match progressed, Page retaliated with a vengeance, slamming Hook through a table at ringside. However, Hook proved to be a resilient opponent, dodging Page's chair shot and countering with a Twist of Fate onto the chair for a close two-count. Page tried to regain control with a brutal pump kick, but Hook refused to back down. ## In the end, it was Hook who emerged victorious, locking Page into his signature submission hold, the Redrum (formerly known as the Tazmission), forcing Page to tap out. Hook's dominance didn't end there, as he continued his assault, T-Boning Page through a table in the corner. The crowd was left in awe of the brutal and hard-fought contest between these two fierce competitors. ## WINNER: Hook via submission ## Jericho Appreciation Society & The Acclaimed Vs LSG, Bobby Orlando & The Infantry ## As JAS made their way to the ring, Jake Hager accompanied them, creating a formidable presence. However, Max Caster didn't hesitate to take a jab at JAS, rapping about them being more annoying than Marjorie Taylor Greene. ## During the match, The Acclaimed showcased their impressive teamwork, executing their signature "Scissor Me Timbers" double-team move on Orlando. Caster sealed the deal with a Mic Drop, a frog splash elbow drop, securing the victory. ## But their triumph was short-lived, as JAS, alongside Jake Hager, launched a surprise attack on The Acclaimed during their post-match celebration. The ambush left The Acclaimed battered and bruised, with JAS and Hager standing tall in the ring. ## Despite the underhanded tactics employed by JAS and Hager, The Acclaimed refused to back down, ready to seek revenge and prove themselves as true contenders in the ring. ## WINNER: Jericho Appreciation Society & The Acclaimed ## Darby Allin Vs Lee Moriarty (w/ Big Bill) ## Jim Ross and Excalibur reported that Darby Allin had been hit by a car while skateboarding in New York City the day before. Despite this, he was cleared to compete in the match. The crowd in Rhode Island showed their support for Allin with a loud "DAR-BY!" chant before the match even began. ## During the match, Allin started off strong, locking in a headlock and coming close to a pin with a La Casita maneuver. The crowd erupted into another chant for Allin. However, Moriarty began to gain momentum, targeting Allin's midsection and slamming him into the barricade outside the ring. ## When the program returned from a break, Allin received yet another chant from the crowd as he made his comeback, delivering a shotgun dropkick to Moriarty in the corner. But Big Bill Morrissey appeared once again, distracting Allin and causing him to crash onto the ropes. ## Moriarty seized the opportunity and lifted Allin up for a vertical suplex, dropping him stomach-first over the top rope. He followed up with a superplex attempt, but Allin held on and countered with a small package pin for a near fall. Moriarty also tried a wrist-clutch pin but could only get a two count. Allin regained control with a Code Red on Moriarty before taking out Big Bill with a dive through the bottom rope. Allin then finished off Moriarty with a Coffin Drop for the win. ## WINNER: Darby Allin ## Singles Match: Anna Jay vs. Julia Hart ## Before Hart could finish her introduction, Jay launched an attack, and the two fierce competitors tumbled to the floor, grappling and scrapping for the first few minutes. In a sudden turn of events, Hart whipped Jay into the barricade as the match spilled back out onto the floor. With a display of raw power, Anna Jay hoisted Hart up in a power bomb, holding her upside down in mid-air before slamming her head-first into the barricade. The program then cut to commercials, leaving viewers on edge. ## During the break, Jay maintained her offensive momentum, but when the show returned, Hart had regained control of the match. The youngest wrestler in AEW, according to Jim Ross, Hart executed a running basement elbow to Jay's back, followed by a standing moonsault that earned her a close two-count. ## Jay managed to turn the tide again, almost sealing the victory with the Queenslayer sleeper hold, but was unable to apply it fully. Hart battled back, fighting Jay into the corner before placing her on the top rope, where she was hanging helplessly in the Tree of Woe position. Hart then pulled herself up to grab Jay and throw her back into the ring, before executing a beautiful moonsault press that earned another near fall. ## Jay attempted to apply the Queenslayer sleeper hold once again, but in the midst of the struggle, the two wrestlers tumbled out of the ring. As they fought for leverage, Jay rolled back into the ring, leaving Hart almost counted out. Seizing the opportunity, Hart used a dirty tactic and spit poison mist into Jay's face when the referee was not looking. With Jay disoriented and blinded, Hart capitalized by rolling her into an inside cradle for the controversial win. ## WINNER: Anna Jay ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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WWE SmackDown 4/7/23 Results: Sami Zayn Vs. Jey Uso Full Match & Winner
1219 days ago
SmackDown

WWE SmackDown 4/7/23 Results: Sami Zayn Vs. Jey Uso Full Match & Winner

As the match between Sami and Jey began, they engaged in a series of lock-ups and clean breaks, displaying their sportsmanship. However, the friendly demeanor was short-lived as Jey pushed Sami after the second lock-up. ## They locked up again, and this time, Jey took control with a side headlock. He followed up with a powerful shoulder tackle, but Sami quickly recovered and delivered an equally forceful tackle of his own. Sami then landed a forearm strike on Jey, followed by a clothesline that sent him tumbling over the top rope and onto the unforgiving floor below.## As Solo Sikoa made his way towards the ring, Sami contemplated a high-risk maneuver, but ultimately decided against it. Despite Solo's leisurely pace, Sami chose not to take any chances and risk injury. Instead, he opted to stay in the ring and maintain his advantage over Jey.## The action resumed as Jey climbed up to the top rope, but Sami was quick to halt his ascent. With both wrestlers perched on the turnbuckles, they began exchanging a flurry of forearms and punches while Solo stood at ringside, watching intently.## Sami suddenly executed an impressive exploder off the turnbuckles, which sent Jey reeling. Sami then followed up with a barrage of punches, but Jey managed to counter with a back heel kick, followed by an uppercut and enzuigiri. Sami attempted to counter with a boot to the face, but Jey was too quick and landed a super kick as Sami came off the turnbuckles, nearly pinning him.## Jey then shoved Sami into the corner, but Sami fought back with a devastating exploder that sent Jey crashing into the turnbuckles. With Jey reeling, Sami set up for his signature Helluva Kick, but Jey managed to dodge it and rolled him up for a near fall.## Undeterred, Sami countered with a Blue Thunder Bomb, almost securing the victory. Sami then climbed up to the top rope, but Jey landed a perfectly timed enzuigiri, causing Sami to lose his balance. Jey attempted a superplex, but Sami managed to block it and instead hit Jey with a series of forearms to the back.## However, Jey had one more trick up his sleeve. He delivered a headbutt that caused Sami to fall onto the top rope, before proceeding to fish hook him. Meanwhile, Solo took advantage of the distraction created by Jey and landed a Samoan Spike on Sami, while the referee was dealing with Jey. Jey with a drop kick for the three count. ## WINNER: Jey Uso ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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WWE Draft 2023 Predictions, Date & Picks
1219 days ago
WWE News

WWE Draft 2023 Predictions, Date & Picks

The WWE draft is an electrifying spectacle in the world of pro wrestling, as Superstars are shuffled between brands, setting the stage for months of captivating storylines and intense rivalries that fans eagerly invest in. ## This year's draft promises to be no exception, with the mastermind Triple H at the helm of WWE Creative, adding an extra layer of excitement. As the anticipation builds for the two-night talent shake-up, fans are buzzing with anticipation for the surprises and shake-ups that await them. With Triple H's creative genius in play, the stakes have never been higher as Superstars' fates hang in the balance, and the wrestling world braces itself for the seismic shifts that the draft will inevitably bring. ## Despite previous reports from various outlets indicating that discussions about a draft this year had been scarce, a significant shift occurred during this week's episode of SmackDown. Triple H, making an appearance to discuss the future of WWE, made a bold promise that this year's draft would "revolutionize the game" like never before. ## The WWE Universe eagerly anticipates the upcoming 2023 WWE Draft, as the dates for this highly anticipated event have been confirmed. Starting on the April 28 episode of WWE SmackDown, the draft will span two nights, with the second night taking place on the May 1 episode of WWE Raw. ## As the last edition of the WWE draft took place on October 4, 2021, fans are eager to see which Superstars will be switching brands this time around. However, details about the format of the draft and who will be making the picks for each brand are currently unknown, adding to the excitement and suspense leading up to the event. ## WWE fans can expect a thrilling and unpredictable draft as the landscape of the WWE roster may undergo significant changes, shaping the future of the WWE Universe. ## The predicted top 10 picks are: ## Roman Reigns (SmackDown)## Cody Rhodes (Raw)## Rhea Ripley (SmackDown)## Brock Lesnar (Raw)## Seth Rollins (SmackDown)## Bianca Belair (Raw)## Becky Lynch (SmackDown)## Bron Breakker (Raw)## The Usos (SmackDown)## Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (Raw)## Date for Draft 2023 ## Although an official date for the WWE Draft has yet to be announced, WRKD Wrestling has reported that it is tentatively slated for the May 8 episode of Monday Night Raw, to be held in Jacksonville, Florida. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania 38 WWE Title Bid Foiled By Roman Reigns' Secret Victory Plan
1219 days ago
WWE News

Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania 38 WWE Title Bid Foiled By Roman Reigns' Secret Victory Plan

Roman Reigns retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 39 against Cody Rhodes was always the WWE's plan. After making a return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes expressed his desire to become WWE Champion. ## He was given an opportunity to do so after recovering from an injury, entering the men's Royal Rumble match at number 30 and winning it, which earned him a shot at Roman Reigns' Undisputed WWE Universal Title. Many believed that Rhodes was the one to put an end to Reigns' dominance at the top of WWE. ## The company built up to their showdown, which served as the main event of the second night of WrestleMania. However, outside interference from The Usos led to Rhodes' defeat, as Solo Sikoa hit him with the Samoan Spike. ## The finish of the match came as a shock to many fans, but according to Dave Meltzer's report in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the plan was always for Reigns to retain his title. The outcome of the match was predetermined, and the company never intended for Rhodes to walk away with the championship. ## “Reigns winning was always the plan, although it was kept secret and almost nobody knew," Dave Meltzer noted the following about the finish. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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Report: Roman Reigns Excluded From WWE Backlash Card, But Scheduled For Major Events In The Near Future
1219 days ago
WWE News

Report: Roman Reigns Excluded From WWE Backlash Card, But Scheduled For Major Events In The Near Future

The ongoing feud between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns remains a significant focus for WWE, even after the outcome of WrestleMania Night Two's main event, where Roman Reigns emerged victorious. It appears that there is now a better understanding of the direction that both men will take in WWE's future creative plans following the event. ## Following his unexpected heel turn on Monday Night, WWE has arranged a program for Cody Rhodes, which may culminate in a match against Brock Lesnar at the upcoming event. Meanwhile, it appears that Roman Reigns will not be featured on the card. ## Although Roman Reigns has a more limited WWE contract that allows him to skip certain smaller-scale premium live events, the status of WWE's upcoming Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico was uncertain due to its unique location and market. However, with the recent news that Reigns will be absent from Friday Night Smackdown, it was speculated that he may also miss Backlash. ## According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer, it appears that WWE has made a final decision regarding Reigns' involvement in the Puerto Rico event. ## “Reigns will not be on the San Juan card, or at least that wasn’t the plan on Monday, but he will be doing other major events over the next few months," Meltzer noted. ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2023 Predictions & Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date
1220 days ago
NJPW

AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2023 Predictions & Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date

The Forbidden Door, a highly anticipated annual professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow, is returning for its second edition in 2023. This year, the event is being co-produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW), an American promotion, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a Japan-based organization. ## The event is scheduled to take place on June 25, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Forbidden Door is known for its unique concept of bringing together wrestlers from different promotions and countries, and this year's event promises to be no different. ## Starting in February 2021, the American professional wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), entered into a partnership with the Japanese promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). This collaboration led to wrestlers from both promotions making appearances on each other's shows over the course of the year. As a culmination of this partnership, AEW and NJPW co-promoted a pay-per-view (PPV) event in June 2022, called Forbidden Door, which took its name from the term frequently used by AEW when referring to working with other professional wrestling promotions. ## On March 15, 2023, it was announced that a second Forbidden Door event between AEW and NJPW will take place on June 25, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This annual event will further solidify the partnership between the two organizations. Tickets for the event were made available for purchase on March 24, 2023. ## In addition to the PPV event, AEW will embark on a month-long tour of Canada, featuring their weekly television programs and house shows. The Forbidden Door event will mark the beginning of this tour, promising to bring some of the biggest names in professional wrestling to Canadian fans. Fans of both promotions are eagerly anticipating this event and the continuation of this successful partnership. ## AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2023 Confirmed Match Card ## Kenny Omega (c) Vs. Will Ospreay: IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match ## Will Ospreay has earned a rematch with Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door. ## Ospreay had originally lost the title to Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 17, but he has been on a tear since then, defeating Lance Archer in the finals of a tournament to become the number one contender. ## The match between Ospreay and Omega is sure to be a classic, as both men are known for their high-flying, acrobatic style. It will be Ospreay's first chance to reclaim the title he lost at Wrestle Kingdom, and he will be looking to make a statement in front of a North American audience. ## Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada: Singles match ## Bryan Danielson has challenged Kazuchika Okada to a match at Forbidden Door. The two men have been on a collision course for months, ever since Danielson joined the Blackpool Combat Club (BCC) and Okada began teasing a move to the United States. ## At Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, the BCC teamed up to challenge Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Although they were unsuccessful in winning the titles, the match served as a preview of what is to come at Forbidden Door. After the match, Danielson took to the microphone and issued a challenge to Okada. In a video package, Danielson called Okada out as the "best wrestler in the world" and said that he wanted to prove that he was the better man. ## Okada responded by claiming that the "forbidden door" would be open, teasing the match taking place at the PPV. On June 6, NJPW held a press conference where Okada accepted Danielson's challenge for Forbidden Door, making the match official. This is a dream match for many fans, and it is sure to be one of the most anticipated matches of the year. Both Danielson and Okada are masters of their craft, and they are sure to put on a show for the ages. ## Sanada (c) vs. "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry (with Hook): Singles match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship ## "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry has challenged SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door. Perry, who is one of the rising stars in All Elite Wrestling, has been on a tear lately, defeating top stars such as Kenny Omega and Adam Cole. He is now looking to make the biggest statement of his career by challenging for the most prestigious title in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. ## SANADA is one of the most dominant champions in wrestling today. He has held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship since last year, and he has defended it against some of the best wrestlers in the world. He is not going to be an easy opponent for Perry, but the young star is confident that he can pull off the upset. ## MJF (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi: Singles match for the AEW World Championship ## Tanahashi, who is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the world, has been on a tear lately, defeating top stars such as Kenny Omega and Jay White. He is now looking to make the biggest statement of his career by challenging for the most prestigious title in All Elite Wrestling. ## MJF is one of the most controversial wrestlers in the world. He is known for hisbrash and arrogant attitude, and he has been feuding with Tanahashi for months. He has also been critical of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, claiming that it is an inferior company. ## However, MJF has claimed to have no interest in defending the belt against Tanahashi, claiming NJPW to be an inferior company, whilst also hinting no-showing the PPV. This has led to speculation that MJF may be planning to turn heel and join forces with his former manager, Tony Khan. ## Six-man tag team match: Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara) and Minoru Suzuki vs. Sting, Darby Allin, and TBA ## Darby Allin & Sting accepted a challenge from Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki, and Sammy Guevara on Dynamite after the latter team defeated Action Andretti, AR Fox, and Darius Martin. The match was set for Collision, a new pay-per-view event from AEW on Saturday, June 25. ## Allin & Sting made their intentions clear: they were going to take down the Jericho Appreciation Society. But they also had a surprise up their sleeve. ## Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli), Konosuke Takeshita, and Shota Umino vs. The Elite ("Hangman" Adam Page, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson), Eddie Kingston, and Tomohiro Ishii ## Eddie Kingston has assembled a dream team of his own to take on Jon Moxley's dream team at Collision. ## Kingston, the Young Bucks, and Hangman Page will team up to face Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Shota Umino, and Konosuke Takeshita. The match was made official on Dynamite after Kingston agreed to team with The Elite. ## Four-way match for the AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia ## Orange Cassidy will defend his AEW International Championship in a four-way match against Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr., and Katsuyori Shibata at Collision. ## The match was made official after Garcia & Sabre defeated Shibata & Cassidy on Dynamite. After the match, all four men grabbed the International title, with Cassidy yanking the title away from Shibata's grasp. ## Toni Storm (c) vs. Willow Nightingale: Singles match for the AEW Women's World Championship ## Toni Storm will defend her AEW Women's Championship against NJPW Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightingale at Collision. ## The match was made official on Dynamite after Storm defeated Nightingale in a non-title match. After the match, Storm challenged Nightingale to a title match, and Nightingale accepted. ## Adam Cole vs. Tom Lawlor: Singles match ## During the latest episode of AEW Rampage on Friday, an announcement was made regarding Adam Cole's participation in the upcoming AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event on Sunday. ## Cole is slated to face off against the former NJPW Strong Champion, Tom Lawlor, in a highly anticipated match at the pay-per-view, set to take place in Toronto, Canada. ## In the midst of a promo delivered by Cole, he was unexpectedly interrupted by his recent rival and prospective tag team partner, MJF. The reigning AEW World Champion revealed that he had conversed with Tony Khan, leading to Cole's booking against Lawlor for the upcoming event on Sunday. ## Subsequently, Lawlor and Royce Isaacs launched an ambush on Cole from behind, while MJF slowly made his way to the ring, seemingly feigning assistance. Once MJF eventually arrived, Lawlor and Isaacs promptly departed. Notably, Lawlor did not make an appearance at last year's Forbidden Door, making this his inaugural venture into an AEW ring. In contrast, Cole previously participated in a four-way match for the IWGP World title at the Forbidden Door event, where he suffered a concussion, keeping him sidelined until March of the following year. ## CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima: Men's Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round match ## Athena vs. Billie Starkz: Women's Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round match ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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AEW All In 2023 Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date
1220 days ago
AEW News

AEW All In 2023 Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date

The upcoming All In professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event, known as All In London, is generating a lot of buzz. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is behind this event, which will mark their debut in the UK and their first time organizing a PPV outside of North America. The event is scheduled for August 27, 2023, at Wembley Stadium in London, England. ## This will be a big deal for AEW as it's their first wrestling show in a soccer stadium. The All In London event is also making history by being the first wrestling event at the current Wembley Stadium in over 30 years. The last time was WWE's SummerSlam in 1992, so that adds even more significance to this event. ## The event smashed AEW's previous records, pulling in more than 60,000 ticket sales and raking in an impressive $7.7 million in just the first day of availability, counting pre-sale figures. By July 28, 2023, with no matches even announced yet, those figures had climbed to 70,400 tickets sold and a total revenue of $9 million. ## AEW All In 2023 Confirmed Match Card ## No. Matches* Stipulations 1P. Aussie Open (Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher) (c) vs. MJF and Adam Cole Tag team match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship 2. FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) Tag team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship 3. Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Toni Storm vs. Saraya vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. Four-way match for the AEW Women's World Championship 4. Darby Allin and Sting vs. Mogul Embassy (AR Fox and Swerve Strickland) (with Prince Nana) Tag Team Coffin match 5. The Golden Elite (Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega, and "Hangman" Adam Page) vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Bullet Club Gold (Juice Robinson and Jay White) (with Don Callis) Six-man tag team match 6. Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta), and Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta), Santana, and Ortiz Stadium Stampede match 7. Will Ospreay vs. Chris Jericho Singles match 8. MJF (c) vs. Adam Cole Singles match for the AEW World Championship 9. CM Punk (c) vs. Samoa Joe Singles match for the "Real World Championship 10. House of Black (Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews, and Brody King) (c) vs. Billy Gunn and The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) Six-man tag team match for the AEW World Trios Championship ## AEW All In 2023 Start Time/How To Watch The event will take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 6pm UK/1pm ET/10am PT. The show will begin at 6pm local time, which is 1pm in New York and 10am in California. Fans in the United States can watch the show via DirecTV and the show will be available to watch via FITE for fans around the world. ## Tickets For AEW All In 2023/How To Buy Tickets for the show are available at $24. Fans can buy their tickets by CLICKING HERE! ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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AEW Double or Nothing 2023 Predictions & Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date
1220 days ago
Double or Nothing

AEW Double or Nothing 2023 Predictions & Preview: Match Card, Logo, Matches, Location, Date

The 2023 Double or Nothing, a highly anticipated professional wrestling pay-per-view event, is slated to be the fifth edition organized by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Scheduled during Memorial Day weekend, on May 28, 2023, the extravaganza will be held at the T-Mobile Arena, located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada. ## Notably, Double or Nothing will clash with another wrestling event called Battleground, produced by the prominent promotion WWE for its NXT brand division. This marks the first time in decades that two major wrestling promotions will go head-to-head on the same day, following in the footsteps of the 1987 Survivor Series and Starrcade '87: Chi-Town Heat. ## During the Revolution Zero Hour pre-show on March 5, 2023, it was officially announced that the highly anticipated fifth edition of Double or Nothing would take place on May 28 at the T-Mobile Arena. This marks the second time that the event will be held at this venue, following the successful event from the previous year. Moreover, it was revealed that both Wednesday Night Dynamite and Friday Night Rampage would broadcast live from the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena during the Double or Nothing week, on May 24 and May 26, respectively. ## However, due to a broadcast scheduling conflict, the airing of Rampage will be postponed to a later date. It will be presented as a special Saturday Night Rampage, airing on May 27, and taped immediately after the live broadcast of Dynamite. Fans eagerly anticipating these events were able to purchase tickets starting on March 17. ## AEW Double or Nothing 2023 Confirmed Match Card ## Pillars Four-way match for the AEW World Championship: MJF (c) Vs. Sammy Guevara Vs. "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry Vs. Darby Allin ## In the April 19 edition of Dynamite, an intriguing announcement was made regarding the much-anticipated Four Pillars tournament. The victor of the tournament would be granted the opportunity to challenge MJF for the prestigious AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing. The tournament was specifically designed to feature the top four AEW superstars who were widely recognized as the "four pillars" of the company, namely Sammy Guevara, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry, Darby Allin, and MJF. ## During the semi-final, Guevara managed to secure a countout victory over Perry with some outside interference from MJF, paving the way for his place in the final. Meanwhile, Allin had already advanced to the final after receiving a bye. In the subsequent final, Guevara emerged victorious yet again, with the sneaky help of MJF, this time beating Darby by disqualification. ## However, an intriguing twist emerged when it was revealed that the highly anticipated singles match between MJF and Guevara at Double or Nothing would only occur if they could first defeat Perry and Allin in a tag team encounter. On the other hand, if Perry and Allin emerged victorious, the World Championship match would take the form of a Pillars Four-Way match, featuring MJF, Guevara, Perry, and Allin. ## Fast forward to the May 3 edition of the show, and Perry and Allin managed to secure a scintillating win, booking their spots in the anticipated Pillars Four-Way match. The stage is now set for an epic encounter at Double or Nothing, where the four pillars of AEW will collide in a battle for supremacy. ## Tag team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal ## At the highly anticipated Double or Nothing event in a fortnight, the prestigious AEW World Tag Team champions, FTR, shall valiantly defend their hard-won titles against the formidable duo of Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. This momentous encounter shall be graced with the presence of a distinguished special referee. ## The stage was set for this epic clash during the recent episode of Dynamite, as tensions escalated and animosity brewed between the two teams. However, amidst the chaos, a surprising twist unfolded when the revered Mark Briscoe, known for his amicable relations with both factions, revealed himself as the designated guest referee for the impending match. To foster camaraderie among the combatants, Briscoe proposed a convivial toast. ## As glasses clinked and the air buzzed with anticipation, an unforeseen act of treachery unfolded. Sonjay Dutt, a conniving malcontent, unleashed a spray of intoxicating spirits directly into the unsuspecting eyes of Dax Harwood. Exploiting the disarray, the malevolent group of antagonists pounced upon Cash Wheeler, mercilessly subjecting him to a relentless assault. Briscoe, driven by his innate sense of justice, valiantly attempted to quell the bedlam but was ruthlessly subjected to a devastating piledriver by the sightless Harwood, who tragically mistook his identity amidst the melee. ## Ladder match for the AEW TNT Championship: Wardlow (c) vs. Christian Cage (with Luchasaurus) ## The illustrious TNT championship, a symbol of supremacy in the realm of All Elite Wrestling, shall hang in the balance at the esteemed event known as AEW Double or Nothing. In a display of formidable prowess, the valiant Wardlow, holder of the championship, shall face the indomitable Christian Cage in a battle for glory. ## The stage for this epic encounter was meticulously set over the course of several weeks, through intense stares and fleeting confrontations. The tension reached its zenith when, on the hallowed grounds of Wednesday's Dynamite, Wardlow boldly issued a challenge to Christian. In an audacious act, he implored Christian to step into the ring and carry out his earlier threat of spitting in his face. In a display of resolute determination, Christian, accompanied by the mighty Luchasaurus, confronted Wardlow head-on. Yet, as Christian moved to fulfill his promise, Wardlow swiftly seized him by the throat, asserting his unyielding dominance. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Luchasaurus joined the fray, and together, they administered a resounding punishment upon Wardlow, culminating in Christian ruthlessly executing a Killswitch onto a ladder—a symbol of their impending clash. ## In the aftermath of the tumultuous encounter, a resilient Wardlow, nursing his wounds, found solace in the presence of the seasoned Arn Anderson. Bearing the weight of his injuries, Wardlow pondered his next move with a palpable sense of determination. Unfazed by the adversities he faced, Wardlow resolved to challenge Christian at his own game, asserting his proficiency in the art of ladder matches. ## AEW Women's World Championship Match: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Toni Storm ## During the riveting episode of AEW Dynamite on May 17, the captivating clash between titans unfolded as The Outcasts, comprised of the remarkable duo Toni Storm and Ruby Soho, triumphed over the formidable duo of Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida in a momentous tag team encounter. Originally intended as a triumvirate melee involving AEW Women's World Champion Jamie Hayter and Saraya, the match took an unexpected turn when Hayter's medical clearance was regrettably denied, leading to a modification to a conventional tag team format. As the bout reached its climax, it was the indomitable Toni Storm who secured a decisive pinfall victory over the esteemed Britt Baker. ## In a captivating turn of events, an illuminating interview conducted by the esteemed Renee Paquette shed light on Toni Storm's unwavering determination. Seizing the opportunity to make her aspirations known, Storm issued a resolute challenge to the reigning AEW Women's World Champion, Jamie Hayter, beseeching her presence in the vibrant city of Las Vegas to defend her illustrious title at the forthcoming extravaganza, Double or Nothing. With great anticipation, the highly anticipated title bout was subsequently confirmed, set to serve as a poignant rematch harking back to the historic AEW Full Gear event in 2022. In that fateful encounter, Jamie Hayter emerged triumphant, commencing her maiden reign as the coveted champion, overcoming the valiant Toni Storm. # Anarchy in the Arena Match: Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Bryan Danielson) vs. The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson and "Hangman" Adam Page) ## The electrifying conclusion of Wednesday's Dynamite witnessed the triumphant return of Hangman Page to the hallowed grounds of All Elite Wrestling. As destiny would have it, Page joined forces with The Elite, orchestrating a spectacular assault upon members of the Blackpool Combat Club, leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. In a captivating climax, Page took center stage, issuing a resounding challenge that echoed through the corridors of AEW Double or Nothing. ## The denouement of Dynamite bore witness to the arrival of Don Callis, stepping forth to elucidate the reasons behind his shocking betrayal of Kenny Omega in the preceding week. With conviction in his voice, Callis emphasized the symbiotic relationship between himself and Omega, boldly declaring that the very existence of the latter was intertwined with his own presence. As tension crackled in the air, Omega emerged, poised to confront his former confidant. However, as security personnel held Omega at bay, the insidious Blackpool Combat Club seized the opportune moment to launch a treacherous attack from behind. Yet, just as the odds seemed insurmountable, a resolute Jon Moxley took to the ring, his words echoing with fervor. A timely alliance was forged when The Young Bucks, armed with weapons, emerged to lend their support to Omega's cause. However, the tides of fortune shifted irrevocably as Hangman Page, donning an eyepatch that bore witness to his battles, made his resounding return to the hallowed grounds of AEW. United in purpose, they decimated the Blackpool Combat Club, leaving a resounding statement of defiance in their wake. ## It is worth noting that the last incarnation of the illustrious Anarchy in the Arena match transpired during the previous year's Double or Nothing spectacle. In that extraordinary encounter, The Jericho Appreciation Society emerged victorious, prevailing over valiant members of the Blackpool Combat Club in a chaotic 5-on-5 affair that unfurled throughout every nook and cranny of the arena, sparing no inch from the ferocity of battle. ## As the echoes of history reverberate within the hallowed arena, anticipation reaches its zenith for the imminent clash between the Blackpool Combat Club and The Elite. Anarchy reigns supreme as these mighty factions prepare to unleash their collective might upon the canvas, forging a mesmerizing spectacle that shall etch its indelible mark upon the annals of AEW lore. ## 21-man Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) Vs. 20 competitors TBD ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.

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