Select Portions: AEW Collision, WBD and WWE Happy, More
– For those asking, WWE is not making an Atlanta-related WrestleMania or Royal Rumble announcement.
– Fightful will be running a short in-person interview with Pretty Deadly this week. Early access is available for tier 2 members. During MITB press, the times were scaled back, so we’ll release all of those interviews on our audio feed at the end of the month in one audio file as well.
– AEW Collision drew 580,000 viewers Saturday night. They finished fifth for the night, and third in their timeslot. their 18-49 viewership was 279,000. They faced competition from F1 and UFC prelims.
– We’re told the CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe match saw a significant bump in the AEW Collision quarter hours.
– It goes without saying, but both WBD (for Dynamite finishing #1) and WWE (for Smackdown’s incredible numbers) are both very happy with their numbers.
– Fightful will have a presence at WWE Summerslam, AEW Collision in Lexington, AEW Dynamite in Cincinnati, AEW Dynamite in Louisville, WWE Fastlane, WWE Payback, WWE Survivor Series, among others. If you’re a talent and would like to do an interview, let us know and we’ll attempt to scheduled something.
Crazy Manny spoke to the Spotlight for an interview that airs on Thursday on Fightful
Fell in love watching Abdullah The Butcher and Sheik Ali and renting WrestleMania 1. Was high while watching the Attitude Era and told his friends “I’m going to be a wrestler one day.” Watched ECW Barely Legal at a pool hall and said “I have to do this.”
Wanted to put on a show, was introduced to Sexxxy Eddy, who also wanted to put on a show. Got wrestling banned at Dawson College for immediately doing a hardcore spots and bleeding.
First show was at Wally’s Pub and first ring was four pillars in the bar with holes drilled into it for the ropes.
People thought Green Phantom was a fan at first because of how he dressed. Linked up with him and have been friends for 25 years.
Lied about having proper training for first match. Took a back up on the spot before the match and promoter said “You just need to get thrown over the top rope.” TNT, who helped Sami Zayn get his shot at El Generico, began training him.
Contacted an adult film star to do some spots for WWS (World Wrestling Syndicate). Got an email for film star Carolyn Cox to discuss a partnership. The meeting happened right next to a live webcam show. The idea to change the name to IWS came from the pornstars husband and it was Internet Wrestling Syndicate. As the company grew, it became International Wrestling Syndicate.
Was the first company to stream on the internet. “I feel we’re the company that took wrestling out of Church basements.”
Planned for his last match to be in August 2022 against Mathieu St-Jacques, but he wasn’t happy with it because he cut his hand early on.
Started talking about IWS doing a show with GCW in November 2022. Fans has always wanted to see him work with Nick Gage.
Knew the GCW vs. IWS was going to be the show to get them a streaming deal because the production would be so good. Talked to FITE after the show and deal came through quickly.
Will keep wrestling until at least the 25th Anniversary show in March.
Told Mance to “light him up” with the light tube, which ended up cutting his era. “It was bad luck.” Says there was a surgeon backstage waiting. Was being stitched up two minutes after.
Viral clips and people hating on ear spot and Sexxxy Eddy led to more downloads of the show so he doesn’t mind people talking shit.
Went over IWS/GCW six-person match for hours and had spots intricately planned because they are professionals and want to be safe.
Was asked to headline one of the first Tournament of Deaths, but didn’t want to because he didn’t want to be stabbed in the head 25 times. “That’s not what I do. I do a stunt show, not cutting and stabbing.”
“Nick Gage is the most professional guy I’ve ever been in the ring with.”
Said Sawyer Wreck was a big help backstage, especially when he got cut.
Sami Zayn was one of his neighbors. Sami came to IWS as a broom boy. Would sneak into the ring and practice. TNT’s opponent didn’t show up one day and TNT said “give me the kid.” Gave Sami an octagon mask and El Generico was born. Sami did a corkscrew moonsault and went “Ole” in the match.
Calls Kevin Owens the epitome of a pro wrestling fan. When Owens was Universal Champion, he would always check in with Manny and see how his matches were. After his ear got cut, Owens texted him at 1am, “Manny, your ear, what the fuck?”
Says Owens and Sami don’t let success get to them and don’t forget where they came from. Says the same about Mike Bailey and 2point0.
Will put TDT against any team out there. Echos Shayne Hawke’s sentiment that it’s tougher to get attention in Canada compared to America. Praises Ben Tull. Says Kristara will be in WWE or AEW within a year.
Says Maki Itoh deserves all the attention she’s getting and that Vanessa Kraven deserves to be in NXT or AEW.
Says there will be plenty of viral clips from the IWS Scarred 4 Life.
– Has been involved in a lot of streaming deals and says FITE Plus really takes care of the companies. “Many companies, from television to smaller streaming, they get annoyed with you. The top people at FITE help you and pay well.”
Everyone can watch IWS Scarred 4 Life on FITE+ on July 15.