Daily News Report

IMPACT Wrestling Secures New U.S Television Deal With Pursuit Channel

Published

8 months ago

December 21, 2018

IMPACT! to Premiere Weekly on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET on Pursuit Channel, Starting on Jan. 11

Impact Wrestling announced today that they have secured a new television deal with outdoor network Pursuit Channel. The first episode on the cable network will air on Friday January 11th at 10pm.

Impact Wrestling sent the following press release

TORONTO | LUVERNE – IMPACT Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., announced today it has entered into an agreement to broadcast its flagship weekly two-hour program IMPACT! nationally across the U.S. on Pursuit Channel, the most widely distributed outdoor network and one of the fastest growing channels in the country.
Beginning on Friday, Jan. 11, featuring the aftermath of Homecoming, IMPACT Wrestling’s first marquee pay-per-view event of the year, IMPACT! will air weekly on Pursuit Channel on Friday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET.

“Pursuit Channel is a natural fit for IMPACT!” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “It has a passionate viewership base that correlates strongly with our core audience, and is one of the few broadcast destinations that is expanding its footprint, enjoying a 15% increase in broadcast distribution this year alone. With IMPACT Wrestling coming off a tremendous year of audience growth globally and positive fan engagement, we look forward to leveraging our respective resources to bring fans more of the wrestling content they want to see: tougher, edgier action.”

“Pursuit Channel is pleased to welcome IMPACT Wrestling into our Friday night lineup of popular shows,” said Rusty Faulk, CEO and founder of Pursuit Channel. “IMPACT Wrestling programming is perfect for our audience, which enjoys adventurous content to feed their wild side. We look forward to a long partnership and providing our fans with new and exciting world-class content while expanding IMPACT Wrestling’s audience to a new base.”

Showcasing top professional wrestling stars such as IMPACT World Champion Johnny Impact, who starred in the most recent season of the hit CBS show Survivor, plus Brian Cage, Eli Drake, Moose, Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan, Pentagon Jr., Fenix, Rich Swann, the high-flying X-Division and the Knockouts, including Champion Tessa Blanchard, Taya Valkyrie, Rosemary, Allie and Su Yung, IMPACT! has been a leading destination for professional wrestling fans, televised globally in 120 countries since its inception in 2002, while growing its popularity and reach on YouTube, Twitch, Pluto and social media platforms.

For more information, visit www.impactwrestling.com and www.pursuitchannel.com.

Daily News Report

Katsuyori Shibata Looking To Get Medically Cleared To Return To The Ring

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2019

N. Heel

Image Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling

Katsuyori Shibata is looking to get cleared to step into a ring once again.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Shibata is looking to get medically cleared following his recent appearance on the final night of the G1 Climax tournament.

“Katsuyori Shibata, he hasn’t been cleared, but he will be attempting to get cleared,” Meltzer stated. “He trains with his students, but the issue in question is whether it can ever be healthy for him to take head shots, and if he were to return as Katsuyori Shibata, can they work around that issue within the New Japan style.”

In 2017, Shibata collapsed backstage after a match with Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis. The injury was caused by Shibata’s use of a headbutt, which he had been doing regularly since the prior year. Following his collapse, he was rushed to hopsital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, which required emergency surgery. This caused Shibata to experience paralysis on one half of his body, and many to believe he would never wrestle again.

Following his recovery, Shibata was appointed head coach of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s dojo in Los Angeles, CA.

Shibata made a surprise appearance at the finals of the G1 Climax tournament earlier this month. Although he was not medically cleared to compete, he was involved in an angle with The Bullet Club, where he was beatdown.

All Elite Wrestling

Backstage News On When AEW Was Aware Of Jon Moxley’s MRSA Diagnosis

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2019

N. Heel

Image Credit: AEW

Jon Moxley announced Friday that he would no longer be competing at All Elite Wrestling’s All Out event due to a MRSA diagnosis. All Elite Wrestling was quick to announce PAC as his replacement to face Kenny Omega at the pay-per-view on 8/31.

According to Fightful Select, specific people in the company were made aware of Moxley’s diagnosis this past Wednesday (8/21).

“AEW sent word on a need to know basis on Wednesday that Moxley would be out of All Out” – Fightful Select

Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported that AEW already had plans for PAC to be at the event. The company was able to shift his surprise appearance into a wrestling role due to Moxley not being able to compete.

Jon Moxley is also out of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport event on 9/14. He is expected to be out of action for 4 weeks. The company is hopeful he will be cleared for the TNT debut on 10/2.