AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
Well, as of this morning...fans STILL haven't gotten the one
announcement they've been seeking the most of all with a new
TV deal (although Tony Khan HAS been wearing a lot of WB and
MAX hats recently), but they've gotten some they weren't
expecting. When asked at the ALL IN pre-show media call
about the TV deal, Tony Khan did his typical riddle wrapped
in a mystery coated with an enigma bit of not answering
media questions.
The most he confirmed was that the meeting with David Zaslav
of Warner Brothers Discovery did take place and that
"...it's a very complex negotiation, with a lot of things to
figure out. It's an exciting time, and hopefully we'll have
opportunities to grow AEW in exciting new ways."
Instead, we'll have to settle for outside reports: First,
Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that he's spoken
with a number of sources with AEW and WBD regarding the
possibility of an announcement and indicated that there was
still some "red tape to get through" and that another offer
was made recently that WBD was confident in, suggesting that
the ball was in AEW's court. Sapp's report suggests the
offer could well be double what AEW is getting from WBD
currently.
Andrew Zarian of Fightful and Mat Men Podcast who has
contacts at Warner Brothers Discovery, has indicated that
his sources "have expressed continued confidence that a deal
is happening with a significant increase. Plans for AEW
content in 2025 on WBD continue to shape up."
Zarian suggests that at least a simulcast of TBS and TNT on
MAX will be a part of the deal (as exists for all other WBD
owned channels on MAX (ranging from CNN, Cartoon Network,
Wizarding World, Adult Swim, HGTV, the Food Network, TLC,
ID, Magnolia Network to the Discovery channels), but has no
word as to PPVs airing on MAX.
While there was no official announcement, any engagement
whores, WWE-adjacent websites, E-stans that seriously that
Tony Khan is taking the step of doing international PPVs
like this without a TV deal to support them...I have a deal
on the Brooklyn Bridge for you...
As fans arrived in London for ALL In this weekend, they ALSO
saw a sign saying "AEW Forbidden Door London 2025". Tony
Kahn made clear last week when announcing ALL IN Texas 2025
that AEW would be returning to London next year, just not at
Wembley. Well, we now know where it'll be returning to (the
city at least). Indoor options for shows include the Copper
Box Arena (7,500 capacity) , the OVO Arena/Wembley (12,500
capacity). The O2 Arena (20,000 capacity) also exists, but
has been used by WWE in the past. The official announcement
was made durting the ALL IN Zero Hour.
AEW also announced on Zero Hour that it will be visiting
Australia for the first time on February 15, 2025 for AEW
Grand Slam: Australia. The show will be held at the Suncorp
Stadium in Brisbane, a facility which has a capacity of
52,000.
This past week, we had a first taste of fall in the air here
in South Jersey. There are still warm and even hot days to
come (including THIS week), but schools are already opening,
and pumpkin spice everything is appearing; so, it means fall
is on the horizon, and wrestling indies are slowly begining
the season of giving... with 51 charity shows/events
announced already, to help their communities for the
Holidays.
* Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA on August 2,
school backpack drive benefiting Family Giving Tree
featuring an appearance by Rikishi and their second annual
Back-To-School Backpack Drive with Family Giving Tree, for
new, unused backpacks and school supplies for local kids in
need, grades K-12 at the show. The promotion was able to
donate a total of 250 backpacks and "tons of school
supplies" in support of their Back to School Drive.
* Capital City Championship Combat returned to Ottawa, ON at
the Preston Event Center on August 16 for Fighting Back:
Wrestling with Cancer with DIJAK vs. Speedball Mike Bailey,
Josh Alexander, and more. Initial totals indicate $31,000
raised so far. EvilUno alone has raised over $5,000 for this
year's total donation!
* Showcase Pro Wrestling returned to Franklin, MA on August
17, raising $600 for a non-profit organization supporting
Veterans.
* Stomp Out Cancer 4: The Reboot occurred on Saturday,
August 17 in Uniontown, PA, raising $6,200 for the American
Cancer Society.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling teamed up once again with Alex's
Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise $1,003 for its annual
fundraiser against childhood cancer on August 18 in Elk
Grove, CA.
* Top of Texas Professional Wrestling presented “Burgers and
Bash” on August 24 in Amarillo, TX to benefit event for
Andrea’s Project, a non-profit organization that was created
to help spread awareness about driving under the influence
of drugs and alcohol.
* Come join Empire State Wrestling for a family filled day
for a great cause! We are hosting a Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ
Party in conjunction with P.U.N.T. - a foundation associated
with Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills that supports families
coping with pediatric cancer. Along with the barbecue
chicken, there will also be a basket raffle, 50/50, bounce
house, face painting, vendors, and more. It will take place
at the Rapids Fire Hall in Lockport on Saturday, September 7
from 1- 6 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $15 and enter you into a
chance at winning a door prize. They can be purchased at
ESWTIX.com (where service fees apply), Venmo, Cashapp or
emailing eswpuntbbq@gmail.com. Tickets will be available at
the door, but only pre-sale tickets will enter you in for
door prizes.
* Join Three Legacies Wrestling on September 8 at 1495
Lockport, Lancaster, PA for an exciting night of bowling
with your favorite 3LW stars, all in support of the Men Wear
Pink Campaign to Strike Out Cancer! Enjoy a fun-filled
evening of strikes, spares, and celebrity mingling while
helping raise crucial funds for a great cause. Don't miss
this chance to roll with the stars and make a difference—see
you there!
* PrimeTime Pro Wrestling is back and is partnering up with
the Delaware County Special Olympics for a massive
fundraiser on Saturday, September 14 with a 3 pm belltime at
207 Stony Brook Road Hopewell, NJ. All profits from the show
are being donated to the Delaware County Special Olympics! 9
Great Matches in all with ALL the Championships on the line!
And in addition, it's also CEO Brandi's Birthday Bash!
Sponsorships, Donations and Vendors are encouraged!
* 1CW Pro Wrestling presents Home of the Brave on September
14 at the Houston Volunteer Fire Company, Houston, DE to
benefit a local veterans home.
* IWF Media LLC and North Arlington Board of Education
present: IWF Wrestling: Unstoppable on Saturday, September
21, with a 7:00 pm bell time at North Arlington High School,
222 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ to benefit Michael
Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation. Tickets & VIP on
sale now for IWF UNSTOPPABLE September 21 in North Arlington
with Dark Oracle Sage, Kevin Knight, Hellraiser Dracko,
Atkins Brothers, Justin Adams, East Side Dave, KC Bonilla,
Glenn Burgess, Ken Reedy, Aaron Hobbs, Patrick Sanchez,
Janko Sons, Rico Gold, Prince Naj and Michele Dee.
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its second annual
Scholarship Fund Benefit Show at the New Egypt American
Legion, New Egypt, NJ for the 2nd Annual Scholarship Fund
Benefit Event. This is the second of five planned annual
events to help raise scholarship money for New Egypt
resident and UWC member Shelby, who collects toys for the
annual scholarship money for New Egypt resident and UWC
member Shelby Begley. Promoter Lois Thomas said “I made a
promise to Shelby’s dad before he passed away to do
everything in our power to ensure Shelby would have the
means to open doors to her future, and in honor and memory
of our dear friend John Begley, we are very excited to
announce this second annual event.” Please join the entire
UWC Family, including Shelby and her mom Barbara as we come
together to show our continued support for this beautiful
family.
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returns on
September 22 in Martinsville, IN for the Austin Fury
Memorial Tournament to benefit Suicide Awareness.
* Crossfire Wrestling returns to The Merritton Lions Club 7
Park Avenue St Catharines, ON. SUNDAY September 29, for
FIRED UP 2024! 4pm bell time. Partial proceeds will go to
The Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children. Tickets are
available at https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/48825/?
fbclid=IwY2xjawEUwC9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWGi5k_YfFFqtYTwLbAaq45
Gf6ibVKUKex1piHLFWr1kcHpFKlu-d-
QK0w_aem_iFub2HIKRXai8K6tVk3CuQ
* Great Canadian Wrestling will hold their fall and winter
series of shows and Comic-Cons, collecting food for the
local community food banks in each locality in which they
run events; collecting non-perishable and food items
including kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large),
canned veggies and fruit, canned pasta, cereal,
toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby
supplies. Shows scheduled thus far are: Kinmount Fair,
Kinmount, ON/August 31, Barrie ON/September 7, Belleville,
ON/September 8, Aurora, ON/September 14, Peterborough,
ON/September 21, Kingston, ON/September 22, Cobourg,
ON/September 28, Fenelon Falls, ON/October 5 , Whitby,
ON/October 20, Batawa, ON/October 26, Bowmanville,
ON/October 27, Peterborough, ON/November 9 , Lindsay,
ON/November 10, Belleville, ON/November 17, Aurora,
ON/November 23. Angus, ON November 24, Newmarket,
ON/December 7
* It's that time once again... as One Fall Entertainment and
Pink Heals in Sheboygan return to Seton Catholic School for
PINK HEALS 2024 on October 5 !! In the last 3 years, we have
already raised nearly $33,000 for those that have been
affected by cancer in the Sheboygan County area, and we are
looking to continue to kick things up a notch. This event
could NOT be possible without the help of our sponsors, our
fans, our roster including our special guests, and so many
more people!! Who knows which special guests will be here to
help us out this year? Who would you like to see? More
information to come in the near future. Don't miss out on
this EPIC event
Tickets available at https://www.ticketsource.us/onefall?
fbclid=IwY2xjawEUoB1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb8SljxnHEnKKfadcy_H61G
IQiSLCvczT3yUL2DsR-60-Rm-
EtNqBL0Iiw_aem_jUJT7S36ghI6H4c8yxXvHw
* Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations presented Steelstacks
Smackdown II at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA on October 5 as
a benefit to raise money for New Bethany. Money raised will
go toward supporting Southside Bethlehem-based New Bethany’s
mission to get resources and housing to local people
experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. Please bring
a non-perishable food item as well to help Bethany's work.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling presents Chokeslammin' Cancer on October
12 at the Houston Volunteer Fire Company, Houston, DE to
benefit the American Cancer Society.
* Wheelchairs are thrown to the side, walkers forgotten, and
abilities highlighted as each wrestler steals the spotlight
in an event that often brings laughs, tears, and a whole lot
of fun. The 23rd annual Timmy Takedown is a free, annual
event, and this year we are hosting 2 Timmy Takedowns.
The first one will be on Saturday, October 5th in Kirklin,
Indiana. The second one will be on Saturday, October 12th in
Indianapolis, Indiana. Cheer local kids on as they show
their abilities in the ring and raise funds for the families
and communities that Timmy Global Health supports around the
world.
* Appalachian Championship Wrestling returns to Winfield WV
on Saturday October 19th for Barnyard Beatdown 4! Event
details, talent announcements and matchups coming soon! All
proceeds to benefit the WV Horse Network
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling presents Women of Nations Grand
Slam 6 on Saturday October 26 bell time of 4:00 PM at North
St Paul Senior High, North St. Paul, MN for our biggest
event of the year! Last year's event raised $73,100. Help us
beat that goal this year! Tickets available now at
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/womenofnations/1255489?
fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2z2ynIIhX30K0W9g4NHclQkqqCS3E_fXA
agHqfby8SN4HK7X0adp2CmdY_aem_GlQDN8VFk1912sQE0QlPVw
* IWA Productions presents its 12th annual Wrestling for a
Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 26, raising funds
for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital.
* Independent Pro Wrestling presents Hammering Cancer 5 on
November 3 at 869 King St E, Hamilton, ON. Mark your
calendars now to join us for our annual event to raise money
and awareness for the Juravinski Cancer Centre with the goal
to raise $5000! Already confirmed to be part of this great
event: IPW Grand Champion Jon Jon Tavious, The Superstar of
David Tomer Shalom, Igor Sonovavich, The Asian Nightmare
Kwan Chang, KC Andrews, Matt Burns, Big X, IPW Openweight
Champion 1star Cayden Felix, and the Co-Host Toster! More
names to be announced soon!
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its Holiday Food Drive
show November 2 at the New Egypt American Legion, New Egypt,
NJ
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns on November 9 at the Houston
Volunteer Fire Company, Houston, DE to benefit the Food Bank
of Delaware.
* Southern States Wrestling will collect canned food items,
clothing, and toys at its November 30 show at Kingsport,
TN's Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-
pandemic years the promotion has served its community. Kids
12 and under FREE with paid adult to general admission!
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returns on
November 30 to Martinsville, IN for its annual Toys for Tots
show.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns on December 6 at the Houston
Volunteer Fire Company, Houston, DE for Toys for Joy.
* KSWA Wrestling presents its annual Toy Drive/Fan Fest 2024
at 6:00pm on Saturday, December 7, at the American Legion
Langley Post 496, 2863 Chartiers Avenue, Pittsburgh PA
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its 29th annual Toys for
Tots Pro Wrestling Toy Drive show on December 7 at the New
Egypt American Legion, New Egypt, NJ
* Revolt Ministries will hold its annual 12 day Stuff The
Bus Toy Drive at The Guardian's Legacy show in Florida this
December .
* Southern States Wrestling will collect canned food items,
clothing, and toys at its December 28 show at Kingsport,
TN's Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-
pandemic years the promotion has served its community. Kids
12 and under FREE with paid adult to general admission!
So it's time to ask if those reading this blog can send me
any information on holiday themed charity shows scheduled
from now through the New Year at my bobmagee1@hotmail.com
account or to message me through my Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/bob.magee.180 or direct message me
at https://twitter.com/BobMage70323520
