WHAT AN AUTUMN it has been thus far! Can you believe it’s already almost Halloween? Before long, we’ll be gathered ’round the table with relatives, giving thanks and celebrating a December to Dismember (hopefully, the 1995 original and not the 2006 reboot).
In the meantime, why not slow down a bit and enjoy the moment? Curl up with a tasty fall beverage of your choice and enjoy this latest edition of the PWI Weekly. ’Tis the season, after all.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
In his 1991 hit “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL Cool J famously said: “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.” Perhaps no more appropriate a phrase can be used to describe the current status of Frankie Kazarian. After spending most of the last decade competing in tag team matches across various promotions, Kazarian returned to his old stomping grounds of IMPACT Wrestling in September. By the time Bound for Glory wrapped on October 7, he was wearing X division gold for the 6th time in his career. It would be easy to say that “Kaz” is having a career resurrection. But the truth is that the SoCal native has been a consistently solid performer for two decades. Given his recent singles success, he is more than deserving of some recognition here.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
Capital Championship Wrestling is an all-women’s promotion based out of Houston, Delaware. The young company has been making quite the name for itself over the last 12 months, offering some stellar cards featuring the likes of KiLynn King, Kamille, and Allie Katch to name but a few.
At the promotion’s March 26 “Glory” show, PWI’s own Candace Cordelia was on hand to present the CCW Network championship to inaugural champion, Kayla Sparks, who was victorious in a Gauntlet match.
“We just want to continue putting on great shows for the fans,” CCW promoter Marcello Squirewell told PWI. “We have such amazing talent, and they are all pushing each other and getting the best out of each other. Our goal is to show everyone that women’s wrestling is the real deal! If people think 2022 was a big year for CCW, just wait until 2023.”
A QUICK WORD ABOUT …
With recent reports surfacing to suggest that she has been cleared for an in-ring return by AEW physician Michael Sampson, Saraya may become the latest in a line of wrestlers who have been given a second chance after being diagnosed with what was previously thought to be a career-ending medical condition. The wrestling world is undoubtedly a better place with the likes of Edge, Bryan Danielson, and Saraya back in the mix again. We must also take the time to appreciate that without the enforced interruptions to their careers, these performers might not be enjoying the current quality of life that they are right now—let alone an opportunity to get back into the squared circle.
FROM THE VAULT
In June 1978, young fans crowd the ringside area to ask for an autograph from the son of a plumber—and one of the most beloved pro wrestlers of all-time—Dusty Rhodes.