In this week’s News and Notes we have info on two SoCal wrestlers getting signed to the WWE, SoCal wrestlers in MMA fights, PWG, New Japan’s Inoki Dojo, and more.-The big news this week is that the WWE has signed Chad Wicks, which was announced earlier this week, and Aaron Aguilera (Hardkore Kidd) to developmental contracts. Hardkore Kidd is to report to Ohio Valley Wrestling by June 15th. I’m not sure when Chad Wicks is to report but it should be around the same time.
-The Iceman fought at May 19th’s Inoki Jungle Fight in Brazil and lost to NJPW’s Makai Club member Shibata by submission 45 seconds into the first round. Iceman had an unplanned 20-hour trip to the fight, with an emergency landing in Venezuela getting to the fight. Also, the referee changed the rules in the ring before the fight, disallowing kicks for any fighter wearing shoes (Iceman).
-Here is this weekend’s schedule for the Inoki Dojo matches at the Pacific Media Expo in Anaheim:
Saturday 5/29
12:00-2:00 Autographs
2:00-2:30 Matches
2:30-3:00 Intermission (Booth Open)
3:00-4:00 Autographs
4:30-5:00 Matches
5:00-6:00 Autographs
Sunday 5/30
10:00-12:00 Autographs
12:00-12:30 Match
12:30-1:00 Intermission
1:00-2:30 Match
3:30-4:00 Intermission
4:00-6:00 Autograph
Monday 5/31
10:00-12:00 Autograph
12:00-1:30 Match
1:30-2:00 Intermission
No matches have been announced, but I’d expect most of the Dojo regulars to appear.
For more info on the Pacific Media Expo check out http://www.pacificmediaexpo.org/.
-Tom Howard and Sylvester “Predator” Terkay both lost their fights at K-1’s May 22nd Romanex show at the Saitama Arena in Japan capping off a bad week for SoCal wrestlers in MMA. Howard lost to Dolgursuren “Blue Wolf” Serjbuddee by TKO at 4:44 in the second round. Sylvester Terkay was defeated by Gary Goodridge by KO in the first round.
-PWG plans on it’s 1st Anniversary show in July being it’s biggest show to date. No lineup has been announced yet. The reason that the show will not be held at their regular venue, the Elks Lodge in Santa Ana, is that the venue had no open dates for July. They hope to have a venue finalized soon.
-The New Japan Inoki Dojo will be holding a press conference this Sunday to make a few announcements, so next week’s column should be out a little earlier than normal to report on that.
