26: NJPW, OVW & Zayda Steel.

Sports desk intro

Ed: “Tonight at the sports desk, we’re tracking two very different rings—New Japan Pro Wrestling on the global stage and Ohio Valley Wrestling holding down the Louisville territory. This past week, both outfits have been busy: tournaments rolling, titles defended, and a few surprises that changed the temperature of the room.”

Gordon: “And when you line up the results, you see patterns—NJPW leaning into the G1 grind and multi‑man chaos, OVW using TV to shuffle its contenders and keep its champions honest. Let’s go promotion by promotion.”

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Overall direction

NJPW is deep in its summer stretch—G1 Climax blocks still in motion, undercards packed with faction tags, and a steady drip of title defenses to keep the belts visible. The past week has been less about shock turns and more about clarifying who’s actually in the hunt.

G1 Climax cards (week of August 4)

RESULTS

(11.08.2026) NJPW G1 Climax 36 – Tag 15 – Online Stream @ Nisho Highway Arena in Tsu, Mie, Japan
United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Oleg Boltin (7:12)
Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi & Taiji Ishimori) defeat House Of Torture (SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (6:21)
United Empire (Jake Lee & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji) (5:14)
Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto & Tatsuya Matsumoto) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo & Yuto-Ice) (7:09)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: OSKAR [6] defeats Shota Umino [0] by forfeit
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Zack Sabre Jr. [8] defeats HENARE [8] by referee stoppage (15:32)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Drilla Moloney [10] defeats Ren Narita [10] (11:54)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Aaron Wolf [8] defeats Callum Newman [10] (16:57)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Yuya Uemura [10] defeats Gabe Kidd [10] (22:10)

(09.08.2026) NJPW G1 Climax 36 – Tag 14 – Online Stream @ G Messe Gunma in Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Unbound Co. (Gedo & OSKAR) defeat Taisei Nakahara & Toru Yano (4:31)
United Empire (Callum Newman & Zane Jay) defeat Aaron Wolf & Tatsuya Matsumoto (5:05)
House Of Torture (Dick Togo & Ren Narita) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Drilla Moloney) (7:46)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeat United Empire (HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) (5:57)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Ryohei Oiwa [10] defeats Jake Lee [6] (12:47)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Konosuke Takeshita [12] defeats SANADA [6] (14:02)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Yota Tsuji [10] defeats Great-O-Khan [4] (13:14)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Hirooki Goto [6] defeats Oleg Boltin [10] (15:20)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Yuto-Ice [8] defeats Shingo Takagi [8] (20:25)

(08.08.2026) NJPW G1 Climax 36 – Tag 13 – Online Stream @ Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto & Tatsuya Matsumoto) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Oleg Boltin (5:45)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat United Empire (Jake Lee & Zane Jay) (6:50)
Konosuke Takeshita & Toru Yano defeat House Of Torture (SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (5:45)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Yota Tsuji) (6:47)
Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi & Taiji Ishimori) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo & Yuto-Ice) (5:08)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Gabe Kidd [10] defeats Shota Umino [0] by forfeit
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Zack Sabre Jr. [6] defeats Drilla Moloney [6] (18:29)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Yuya Uemura [8] defeats HENARE [8] (15:06)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Ren Narita [10] (w/Dick Togo) defeats Aaron Wolf [6] (w/Tatsuya Matsumoto) (14:01)
G1 Climax 2026 Block B: Callum Newman [10] (w/Zane Jay) defeats OSKAR [6] (18:18)

(06.08.2026) NJPW G1 Climax 36 – Tag 12 – TV-Show @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
United Empire (HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Yuya Uemura (6:51)
House Of Torture (Dick Togo & Ren Narita) defeat Aaron Wolf & Tatsuya Matsumoto (6:01)
United Empire (Callum Newman & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo & OSKAR) by count out (8:27)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Zack Sabre Jr.) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Drilla Moloney) (10:23)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: SANADA [6] defeats Yuto-Ice [6] by KO (8:10)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Jake Lee [6] defeats Great-O-Khan [4] by DQ (1:47)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Ryohei Oiwa [8] defeats Hirooki Goto [4] (8:51)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Shingo Takagi [8] defeats Konosuke Takeshita [10] (19:44)
G1 Climax 2026 Block A: Oleg Boltin [10] defeats Yota Tsuji [8] (24:35)

Factions

TMDK continues to rack up wins in six‑ and eight‑man tags, with Hartley Jackson and Ryohei Oiwa often closing out matches.
House of Torture picks up quick, messy wins—low blows, ref distractions, and post‑match attacks remain their calling card.
United Empire has mixed fortunes: strong in tags, but Jake Lee’s singles results stay uneven.

NJPW news & rumors

Shota Umino’s status: Talk continues that Umino is being protected through minor injuries, explaining recent forfeits and limited ring time.
Takeshita’s stock rising: His G1 performances are reportedly impressing both NJPW and overseas partners—future cross‑promotional plans are being quietly discussed.
OSKAR’s trajectory: Backstage chatter suggests he may be earmarked for a NEVER Openweight push, given his referee‑stoppage wins and aura.

Ed: “NJPW’s week has been about clarity—who can survive the grind, who can steal a shock win, and who’s quietly building a case for bigger things.”

Gordon: “And the G1 remains what it’s always been: a long test that reveals more than any single title match.”

Ohio Valley Wrestling

Overall direction

OVW is in full TV rhythm—Race for the Crown qualifiers, title defenses, and cross‑promotional cards keeping the roster busy. The past week has focused on solidifying champions and giving mid‑card names meaningful wins.

OVW RESULTS

(04.08.2026) OVW Overdrive #198 – Online Stream @ Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Only Bros (Boy Toy Troy & Star Player Prime) defeat Draco Bennett II & Jay Three
Kal Herro defeats Canaan Kristopher
Jake Lawless & Meto defeat Ashton Adonis & Ryan Von Rockit

OVW news & rumors (past week)

Race for the Crown buzz: The tournament is reportedly being used to elevate mid‑card talent into new storylines and title pictures.
Heavyweight scene stabilizing: Dustin Jackson’s regained title run is seen internally as a way to steady the main event after months of rapid changes.
Women’s division focus: J‑Rod’s title win and Leela Hall’s tournament progress are part of a broader push to refresh the division with new rivalries.

Ed: “OVW’s week has been about structure—tournaments, title defenses, and clear lanes for who’s chasing what.”

Gordon: “And that’s how a territory keeps itself relevant: steady TV, meaningful stakes, and champions who actually wrestle.”

Spotlight section: Zayda Steel

Credit: Ringside Rampage. Smackdown Hotel. Fandom.

Ed: “Before we wrap up, let’s talk about a name that keeps popping up in women’s wrestling conversations—Zayda Steel.”

Gordon: “She’s become one of the more intriguing figures in ROH’s women’s division.”

Who is Zayda Steel?

Zayda Steel is a Moroccan-American professional wrestler who began her career in 2022 and has competed across major independent promotions and AEW.

Early Life and Training

Zayda Steel, born Fatima Zahra on October 13, 2003, in Arlington County, Virginia, is of Moroccan descent and dropped out of high school at 18 to pursue professional wrestling full-time. She was trained by Brian Johnson and Drolix, gaining foundational skills that prepared her for the independent wrestling circuit.

Professional Debut

Steel made her in-ring debut on August 7, 2022, at Combat Zone Wrestling Limelight 8, where she faced Trish Adora in a losing effort. Her early matches established a pattern of learning through experience, often competing against a variety of opponents and styles.

Independent Circuit

In her debut year, Steel wrestled for promotions such as MCW Pro Wrestling and various independent shows in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. She later expanded her presence to notable independent promotions including Beyond Wrestling, DEFY Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), and Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling. Her time on the indie circuit allowed her to face diverse opponents and gain exposure across multiple regions and wrestling styles.

WWE EVOLVE

Steel appeared on WWE’s EVOLVE brand, making her debut on April 2, 2025, against Brinley Reece. She also competed in qualifying matches for the WWE EVOLVE Women’s Championship, facing competitors like Kylie Rae, Aria Bennett, and Chantel Monroe, though she did not secure a championship victory.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH)

On January 17, 2026, Steel debuted for AEW on AEW Collision against Marina Shafir, and the following day it was announced that she had officially signed with AEW. She is currently a member of the stable SkyFlight, alongside Scorpio Sky, Christopher Daniels, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, and Leila Grey. Steel also makes appearances for AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor, further expanding her professional exposure.

Notable Achievements

Steel qualified for the triple threat match final at the GCW ID Showcase on August 1, 2025, competing for the inaugural WWE Women’s ID Championship against Kylie Rae and Zara Zakher, though Kylie Rae ultimately won the title. Despite early losses, Steel has built a reputation for versatility, competing internationally and across multiple wrestling styles, earning recognition as a rising talent in the professional wrestling world.

Summary

Zayda Steel’s wrestling background reflects a rapid ascent from independent circuits to major promotions, marked by diverse match experience, international exposure, and membership in prominent stables. Her career demonstrates a combination of dedication, adaptability, and early professional success, positioning her as a notable young talent in modern professional wrestling.

Ed: “She’s the kind of wrestler who can change a division’s direction with one upset win.”

Gordon: “And if ROH leans into that, the sports desk wouldn’t be surprised to see her in a title match before the year is out.”

Sports desk closing

Ed: “So from the G1 grind in New Japan to the tournament and title shuffle in Ohio Valley, the past week has been packed with movement—some of it loud, some of it subtle, all of it worth tracking.”

Gordon: “And with names like Takeshita, OSKAR, Dustin Jackson, and Zayda Steel all pushing forward, the question remains the same: who made you mark out?”

Around the World of Pro Wrestling 6/30/26: NJPW, OVW and Xia Brookside

🎙️ ESPN‑Desk Intro

Ed: “Fans, if you enjoy your wrestling with a global flavor—strong style in Tokyo, developmental grit in Louisville—then this past week gave you a buffet of action you could barely keep up with!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most wide‑ranging interval—championship implications, faction maneuvering, and several competitors making decisive statements as June draws to a close.”

🇯🇵 New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)

Week in Review — June 23–30, 2026

NJPW spent the week tightening summer arcs, spotlighting champions in multi‑man tags, and pushing the junior division toward its next major showcase.

🔥 NJPW Strong Spirits / Summer Tour Events (June 23–30)

Credit: cagematch.net

(28.06.2026) AEW/CMLL/NJPW/Stardom Forbidden Door 2026 – The Buy In – Online Stream @ SAP Center At San Jose in San Jose, California, USA
Drilla Moloney defeats Daniel Garcia (w/Marina Shafir) (10:26)
AEW TBS Title Survival Of The Fittest Qualifying: Maika defeats Skye Blue (w/Julia Hart) (9:18)
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Title: Divine Dominion (Lena Kross & Megan Bayne) (c) defeat Olympia & Thunder Rosa (10:48)

(28.06.2026) AEW/CMLL/NJPW/Stardom Forbidden Door 2026 – Pay Per View @ SAP Center At San Jose in San Jose, California, USA
Three Way Tag Team: The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) defeat El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Mistico) and Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi & Titan) (17:53)
Kenny Omega defeats Zack Sabre Jr. (26:25)
AEW Continental Title: Jon Moxley (c) defeats Bandido (18:07)
IWGP Global Heavyweight Title: Shota Umino (c) defeats PAC (18:11)
AEW Women’s World Title: Thekla (c) defeats Starlight Kid (18:42)
AEW World Tag Team Title: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (c) defeat The Dogs (Clark Connors & David Finlay) (16:45)
Owen Hart Foundation 2026 Women’s Tournament Final: Mercedes Mone defeats Maya World (24:51)
Steel Cage: Darby Allin, Konosuke Takeshita & The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong) defeat Don Callis Family (Andrade El Idolo, Jake Doyle, Kazuchika Okada, Kevin Knight & Kyle Fletcher) & MJF (31:45)
Owen Hart Foundation 2026 Men’s Tournament Final: Will Ospreay defeats Swerve Strickland (35:06)

Ed: “New Japan ran their week like a pressure cooker—champions visible, challengers circling, and every tag match dripping with tension!”

Gordon: “A most strategic configuration—non‑title bouts preserving mystique while advancing narrative threads.”

Ed: “The juniors didn’t just fly—they stitched together sequences that looked like choreography written at 100 miles an hour!”

Gordon: “A most spirited display—agility and timing at the forefront.”

Ed: “Those veterans threw shots that echoed like drumbeats—pure strong style!”

Gordon: “A most disciplined presentation—experience guiding the next generation.”

📰 NJPW News & Rumors (June 23–30)

G1 Climax announcements expected soon; several names teased through commentary.
Possible crossover match whispers involving AEW talent post–Forbidden Door.
Junior title scene heating up with two contenders emerging from this week’s results.

🇺🇸 Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)

Week in Review — June 23–30, 2026

OVW delivered a classic Louisville week: character‑driven segments, developmental showcases, and a main event that pushed the heavyweight picture forward.

🔥 RESULTS

Credit: cagematch.net

(25.06.2026) OVW TV #1402 – TV-Show @ Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Dark Triple Threat: Maximo Suave defeats Evan Golden and Mason Greyskull
Meto defeats Tyler Jordan
Shalonce Royal defeats Killah Kai Ed: “She wrestled like she had something to prove—and she proved it convincingly!” Gordon: “A most assertive victory—experience prevailing over ambition.”
Stephen Steel defeats Luke Hartman
TW3 defeats JJ Lawson
Kal Herro defeats Austin Ryker
OVW Tag Team Title: Only Bros (Boy Toy Troy & Star Player Prime) (c) defeat Anthony Toatele & Erik Surge Ed: “That tag match moved like a pendulum—momentum swinging back and forth until the final bell!” Gordon: “A most balanced encounter—teamwork and timing emphasized.”
Rae Larson defeats J-Rod
OVW Heavyweight Title Superior Family Rules: Jay DeNiro (c) defeats Tommy Boy Ed: “He wrestled like a man trying to carve his name into the marquee—and he succeeded!”

(23.06.2026) OVW Overdrive #192 – Online Stream @ Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
JJ Lawson defeats Ryan Von Rockit Ed: “They opened the show like they were trying to outrun the cameras—pure adrenaline!” Gordon: “A most enthusiastic contest—momentum clearly valued.”
Triple Threat: Mario Pardua defeats Austin Ryker and Juwan Thomas Gordon: “A most decisive performance—championship aspirations clearly articulated.”
Noelle defeats Leela Hall
Sin City Outlaws (Luke Hartman & Mad Dog Martin) & Tony Gunn (w/Janie Hartman) defeat Erik Surge & Z Force (Kid Colossus & Super Z) (w/Percival Goodington XIII)

📰 OVW News & Rumors (June 23–30)

Heavyweight title scene tightening, with two clear contenders emerging.
Tag division shake‑up rumored after backstage reports of a new team debuting soon.
OVW alumni teased for upcoming guest appearances.

🌟 Spotlight: Xia Brookside’s Career

Xia Brookside has carved out a unique path in modern women’s wrestling—blending legacy, international experience, and a bright, energetic presentation.

⭐ Early Career

Trained in the UK scene, following in the footsteps of her father, Robbie Brookside.
Competed across British indies, gaining attention for her athleticism and charisma.

⭐ WWE NXT UK Era

Became one of the brand’s standout babyfaces.
Known for her speed, resilience, and crowd‑friendly style.
Worked programs with Jinny, Kay Lee Ray, and other top UK talents.

⭐ Post‑NXT UK International Run

Appeared in Japan and Europe, expanding her style.
Developed a more polished in‑ring presence and stronger character work.

⭐ TNA Wrestling

Signed with TNA, immediately becoming a featured player in the Knockouts division.
Known for her upbeat energy, crisp offense, and ability to elevate opponents.
Currently positioned as the new Knockouts champion with waning fan support since her heel turn.

Ed: “Xia Brookside didn’t just inherit a legacy—she built her own, brick by brick, across continents!”

Gordon: “A most admirable trajectory—experience, adaptability, and determination defining her ascent.”

📸 Xia Brookside

🎙️ Desk Outro

Ed: “From Korakuen’s strong style to Louisville’s developmental grit, from Xia Brookside’s global journey to the rumblings of summer tournaments, this week proved wrestling’s heartbeat is loud and worldwide!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most compelling panorama—multiple promotions, myriad styles, yet all united by the pursuit of excellence inside the ring.”

Around the World of Pro Wrestling 6/23/26: NJPW, OVW & Mercedes Mone

🎙️ DESK INTRO

Ed: “Fans, if you thought the summer wrestling season was going to slow down, think again — New Japan and OVW both came out swinging this week like they were trying to break the sound barrier!”

Gordon: “Quite so. A most eventful stretch — championships in flux, rivalries escalating, and several competitors positioning themselves for major opportunities as we move deeper into June.”

🔵 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING (NJPW)

NJPW spent the week tightening the road to G1 Climax, advancing feuds from Dominion fallout, and delivering a strong TV slate on World Pro Wrestling.

🔥RESULTS

(Results compiled from NJPW World listings, Tokyo Sports, and Cagematch reports.)

⭐(23.06.2026) NJPW Road To G1 Climax 36 – Tag 3 – Online Stream @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
El Desperado, Masatora Yasuda & Yuya Uemura defeat Taisei Nakahara, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano (8:47)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOH) & Ryusuke Taguchi (10:15)
Satoshi Kojima & Shota Umino defeat TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) (10:06)
House Of Torture (DOUKI, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, OSKAR, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) by referee stoppage (8:47) Ed: “Shingo fought off more interference than a radio tower in a lightning storm — but couldn’t come out on top!”
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title #1 Contendership Four Way: Francesco Akira defeats Kosei Fujita and Master Wato and SHO (15:35)
G1 Climax 36 Block B Play-In: Aaron Wolf defeats YOSHI-HASHI (19:45)
G1 Climax 36 Block A Play-In: Yuto-Ice defeats Taichi (25:54)

⭐(21.06.2026) NJPW Road To G1 Climax 36 – Tag 2 – Event @ Sagamihara City Gymnasium in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Two On One Handicap: Hartley Jackson defeats Masatora Yasuda & Taisei Nakahara (4:05)
House Of Torture (DOUKI & SHO) defeat Six Or Nine (Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi) (10:15)
TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat United Empire (Jake Lee & Jakob Austin Young) (9:41)
Aaron Wolf, Satoshi Kojima & Shota Umino defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (9:45)
El Desperado, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (11:19)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) (13:36)
Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & YOH defeat House Of Torture (Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) (13:13) Gordon: “A most technical dissection by YOH — precision applied with ruthless efficiency.”

⭐(20.06.2026) NJPW Yuji Nagata Produce Blue Justice XVIII – Online Stream @ City Gymnasium in Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan
Tatsuya Matsumoto, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano defeat Hiroshi Yamato, Satoshi Kojima & Taisei Nakahara (7:22)
House Of Torture (DOUKI & SHO) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Master Wato (4:37)
Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino defeat United Empire (Jake Lee & Zane Jay) (9:42)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) (7:34)
El Desperado, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (12:55) Gordon: “A most satisfying victory for Desperado — a reminder that the junior division remains fiercely competitive.”
Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, YOH & YOSHI-HASHI) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) (8:48)
Aaron Wolf, Josh Barnett & Yuji Nagata defeat House Of Torture (Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) (10:41)

⭐Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre/New Japan Pro Wrestling
(19.06.2026) CMLL Presenta NJPW Fantastica Mania Mexico 2026 – Online Stream @ Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexiko
Los Viajeros Del Espacio (Futuro, Max Star & Valiente Jr.) defeat Los Demonios Samurais (Okumura & Yutani) & Shoma Kato (10:19)
CMLL-Japan Women’s Title: India Sioux (c) defeats Rina (11:31)
El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Neon) & Templario defeat Unbound Co. (Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Titan) (11:15)
CMLL World Tag Team Title: Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) (c) defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo & SANADA) (13:02)
El Phantasmo defeats Barbaro Cavernario (14:09) Ed: “That was less a wrestling match and more two bulls trying to move the other off the mountain!”
Hechicero & Konosuke Takeshita defeat Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero) (12:29)
Blue Panther, Mistico & Tiger Mask defeat Averno, Black Tiger & Volador Jr. (12:37)

⭐(19.06.2026) NJPW Road To G1 Climax 36 – Tag 1 – Event @ Chino Cultural Complex in Chino, Nagano, Japan
Two On One Handicap: Hartley Jackson defeats Taisei Nakahara & Tatsuya Matsumoto (6:24)
House Of Torture (SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Master Wato (4:10)
House Of Torture (DOUKI, Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano (6:48)
TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat United Empire (Jake Lee & Jakob Austin Young) (10:25)
Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, YOH & YOSHI-HASHI) defeat Aaron Wolf, Satoshi Kojima & Shota Umino (10:05)
El Desperado, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (13:37)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Zane Jay) (17:07) Ed: “Tsuji wrestled like a man who knows the throne is his — and plans to keep it!”

📰 NJPW NEWS & RUMORS

G1 Climax blocks expected to be announced next week.
ZSJ rumored for a major singles push heading into the fall.
Shingo Takagi reportedly being considered for a late‑summer title challenge.
United Empire internal tension continues to simmer after Dominion.
NJPW–AEW crossover expected to expand post–Forbidden Door.

🟠 OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING (OVW)

OVW delivered another week of character‑driven TV, rising prospects, and escalating feuds on OVW TV, Rise, and Overdrive.

🔥 OVW TV — June 18, 2026

(Results sourced from OVW’s official YouTube broadcast and fan recaps.)

⭐ RESULTS

Full Match Results — OVW TV #1399 Credit: CAGEMATCH

Jota Peso defeated JJ Lawson by DQ Ed: “Lawson bent the rules so far I’m surprised they didn’t snap!”

OVW Women’s Title Tournament – Semi‑Finals

Lovely Miss Larkan (w/Tommy Boy) def. Leela Hall (5:00)

Dr. Zo def. Canaan Kristopher (w/Glenn Spectre) by DQ

OVW Media Title Tournament – Semi‑Finals

Colby Carter def. Ashton Adonis (5:25)

Erik Surge def. Anthony Toatele (6:36) Ed: “Surge fought like a man defending his homeland!”

Shalonce Royal (w/PJ Jones) def. Freya The Slaya (4:31) Gordon: “A most dubious victory — but a victory nonetheless.”

Thamiko Fatu def. Drew Hernandez (w/Tommy Boy) by DQ

Context & Highlights
The Women’s Title Tournament semi‑finals brought high‑stakes matchups, with Lovely Miss Larkan advancing after a close win over Leela Hall, and Dr. Zo’s DQ victory over Canaan Kristopher.

The Media Title Tournament semi‑finals saw Colby Carter and Erik Surge both move forward, while Shalonce Royal’s win over Freya The Slaya and Thamiko Fatu’s DQ over Drew Hernandez completed the slate.

OVW TV streams live every Thursday at 7 PM ET on the OVW YouTube channel YouTube, with full replays available for free.

Tip: For complete match replays, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content, check OVW’s official YouTube channel or the OVW website

🔥 OVW RISE

🔥 OVW OVERDRIVE

📰 OVW NEWS

TNA expected to sign working agreement with OVW. “Recently, TNA Wrestling has found itself caught between a rock and a hard place after several stars of its roster departed the company from longtime creative team member Tommy Dreamer, former producer and Impact World Champion Sami Callihan, to in-ring talents such as Tessa Blanchard,Steve Maclin, Myla Grace, and Dani Luna. Not to mention, its current World Champion Mike Santana’s contract is set to expire mid-July. Hoping to mend its losses, TNA is in the process of creating a working agreement with Ohio Valley Wrestling.”

💎 FEATURE SEGMENT — MERCEDES MONÉ

Ed: “Now partner, before we wrap, we’d be remiss not to talk about one of the most influential wrestlers on the planet — Mercedes Moné.”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most transformative figure in modern wrestling — both in presentation and competitive excellence.”

⭐ Mercedes Moné — Current Status

Active in AEW and NJPW STRONG crossover events
Central figure in the women’s global wrestling boom
Continues to draw mainstream attention
Rumored for a major international match later this summer
Merchandise sales remain among the highest in women’s wrestling

⭐ Why Mercedes Moné Matters

Elevated women’s wrestling in WWE, NJPW, and AEW
Blends American charisma with Japanese in‑ring influence
One of the few women to headline major shows in multiple countries
A trendsetter in gear, presentation, and character evolution

Credit: Deviant Art

Ed: “Mercedes Moné isn’t just part of the conversation — she is the conversation.”

Gordon: “A most singular athlete. Wherever she goes, the industry shifts accordingly.”

🎙️ DESK OUTRO

Ed: “From Shingo’s fire to Tsuji’s dominance, from Colby Carter’s grit to Shalonce Royal’s rise — NJPW and OVW both delivered a week that kept the wrestling world buzzing!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most dynamic chapter, and with summer heating up, the road ahead promises even greater intrigue.”