Welcome to the Latest PWI Weekly

To quote PWI columnist Kristen Ashly, “I love ‘PWI Day.’”

There’s nothing quite like the buzz around a new issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, when a new cover is revealed, preorders are open, and the digital edition drops.

If you’re an active subscriber, our August 2021 “Summer Special” is part of your annual subscription. And, if you’re not? You still have time to secure your copy.

More on how to do that at the bottom of this Weekly. Scroll down if you just can’t wait. But, between here and there, we’ve got our usual mix of headlines, analysis, and other goodies for you to enjoy. —KM

Wrestler Of The Week

Typically, this space is reserved for someone who, over the last week, has done something remarkable inside the ring. This week, we’re honoring “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes for a personal milestone. Yesterday, Rhodes celebrated his 13th anniversary as a clean and sober man—no easy feat, as anyone who has been affected by addiction will tell you. PWI would like to extend our collective congrats to Rhodes for taking the hard steps to ensure, as he tweeted yesterday, that he’s “absolutely living [his] best life right now.”

This Week In Headlines

• Will Ospreay Vacates IWGP Title After Injury

• AEW Announces New TV Program and More

• WWE Releases More NXT Talent

• ROH Best in the World PPV to Include Live Fans

From The Vault

Pictured: New Jack puts the hurt on D-Von Dudley at ECW’s inaugural Guilty As Charged event, January 1999, Kissimmee, FL. New Jack, real name Jerome Young, sadly passed away last week after a heart attack, at the young age of 58. His wife, Jennifer Young, thanked fans for their support in a recent Facebook post. “For all the outpouring of love from family, friends, and fans- I’m totally blown away,” she wrote. “Jerome was not only my husband, he was my best friend and I’m completely gutted. He loved a lot of you very much, and you’ll never know how much I appreciate the love.” On last week’s Talking Smack, ECW founder Paul Heyman remembered him as a larger than life character and person: “Jerome Young was quite an individual, and, deep in his heart, he was every bit of New Jack that he could offer you.”

New PWI Podcast, “Pro Wrestling Indiestrated”

This week, we were excited to announce a new addition to the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Presents … podcast network, Pro Wrestling Indiestrated. The new podcast will see our Editor-in-Chief, Kevin McElvaney, having conversations with some of the biggest movers and shakers in contemporary independent wrestling. Episode one features an interview with Dan Champion ahead of this weekend’s scheduled “Reel Rumble” event at the Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton, PA.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

ORDER NOW: Our 2021 “Summer Special”

The August 2021 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated is now available for print preorder and/or immediate digital download. As the cover states, the issue features conversations with four of the sport’s hottest stars:

• Hotseat Interview with Kenny Omega

• Feature Stories on Bobby Lashley, Lio Rush, and Maki Itoh

Plus: A 12-month, data-driven analysis of pro wrestling during the pandemic, feature stories on A-Kid and RJ City, and much, much more.

PREORDER THE PRINT MAGAZINE NOW

DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL EDITION

Still Available: Find our June 2021 issue on newsstands now, or order a copy from getpwi.com

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