Welcome to the Latest PWI Weekly

I’m delighted to report that, so far, the response to our August issue has been overwhelmingly positive. Early reviews of the digital edition were favorable, and ditto the feedback from subscribers who’ve begun receiving their copies. (If you’re a subscriber, keep an eye out for your copy soon.)

Flipping through my own copy—as I did for a special “first look” on our YouTube channel—I’m particularly happy with how great everything looks on the page. True, the convenience of digital and mobile publications cannot be beat. But, in my heart, I’ll always see Pro Wrestling Illustrated as a print publication, first and foremost.

How about you? Are you a print mag/paperback/compact disc kind of person? Or are you perfectly content to enjoy the convenient, immediate digital delivery of PWI and other publications? I’d love to hear from you. —KM

Wrestler Of The Week

To anyone who still doubts that Karrion Kross belongs on top in NXT: If his performance this past Tuesday didn’t make you a believer, then what will? When the relative newcomer dethroned Keith Lee as champion last year, there were some who considered it an upset. But, short of an injury that forced him to quickly vacate the NXT title, he’s been positively unstoppable. With a decisive TKO victory over no less than Finn Balor, Kross proved he can be the dominant champion the brand needs.

This Week In Headlines

• WWE Lays Off 35 Employees, Including VPs

• Main Event Set for Next NWA PPV

• Andrade’s First Post-WWE Match Revealed

• Chelsea Green Cleared for In-Ring Return

From The Vault

In the photo above, Kenny Omega prepares an attempted counter of a deep wristlock from Satoshi Kojima, who recently made his Impact Wrestling debut. This match took place on May 13, 2011, in Rahway, NJ—former stomping grounds of EVOLVE and other promotions—as part of the first-ever New Japan Pro-Wrestling event on U.S. soil. The card featured an array of top talent from NJPW and the American independent circuit, with a notable semi-main event that saw MVP take on a young, dark-haired-and-bearded Kazuchika Okada.

PWI Podcast w/ Commentator Mark Pickering

On the latest episode of The PWI Podcast, hosts Al Castle and Brian Solomon preview AEW's Double or Nothing, while reflecting on the recent wave of TV wrestling documentaries on AEW and Vice and giving their honest thoughts on topics like zombie lumberjacks, deathmatches, and more. Plus: Kevin McElvaney shares his recent conversation with broadcast journalist Mark Pickering about Pro Wrestling NOAH's upcoming Mitsuharu Misawa tribute show and the highly anticipated June 6 CyberFight Festival.

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

Want to have every upcoming issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated delivered right to your door? Don't miss a single issue of wrestling's #1 magazine—subscribe today and save 50% off the cover price!