The year 2020 has become an asterisk for many companies, as professional wrestling has seen extended periods of inactivity or diminished rosters as companies have had to deal with the landscape of pro wrestling amidst a global COVID pandemic that has kept many roster talents locked in other countries, or staying home to be with family during the crisis. But during the entire situation, many companies have remained active on the business front, with WWE releasing a staggering amount of talents during a record-profit year, while others have worked on re-signing talents or even dipping into the expansive free agent pool that has arisen surrounding releases and availability. As the war continues for pro wrestling companies to acquire a piece of the pie in global viewership, we take a look at how the major promotions in the US wrestling scene have faired throughout a wild and crazy year.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Added: Jake Atlas, Mercedes Martinez (January 14), Killer Kross, Timothy Thatcher (February 5)
Lost: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, EC3, Rusev, Curt Hawkins, Lio Rush, Eric Young, Heath Slater, Kurt Angle, Aiden English, Sarah Logan, Mike Chioda (ref), Erick Rowan, The Colons (Primo & Epico), Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, Zack Ryder, No Way Jose, Deonna Purrazzo, Aleksandar Jaksic, MJ Jenkins, Kassius Ohno (April 15), Taynara Conti (April 17), Cain Velasquez (April 28), Curtis Axel (April 30), Rachel Evers (May 13), Jack Gallagher (June 19), El Ligero, Trent Banks (June 26), Joel Allen (ref), Chris Roberts (ref) (June 30), Kairi Sane
Kept: Kalisto (January 17), Drew Maverick (June 3)
WWE started the year on a hot note, signing one of the top free agents in the game in former IMPACT star Killer Kross while adding veterans Mercedes Martinez and Timothy Thatcher and young prospect Jake Atlas from the West Coast. But on April 15, WWE experienced Black Wednesday, with over 20 Superstars released that day, and many more following in the weeks to follow. While they did re-sign two stars to new contracts, such as Kalisto in mid-January and bringing back one of the Black Wednesday casualties Drake Maverick in an uncomfortable angle in NXT where he had to compete to get his job back, WWE has yet to add any new names during the pandemic. Instead, they’ve seen multiple releases – some due to “financial crunch” and some via the #SpeakingOut movement – but WWE seems content riding out the pandemic with the roster they still have intact.
All Elite Wrestling
Added: Dr. Luther (January 8), Brian Cage (January 12), Lance Archer (February 26), Colt Cabana (May 2), Matt Hardy, Brodie Lee (March 18), Anna Jay (April 7), Preston Vance/10 (April 23), The Revival/FTR (May 27), Alan Angels/5 (June 5), Ricky Starks, Abadon (June 17)
Lost: None.
Kept: Taz (January 16), Arn Anderson (June 4)
AEW has continued to build their brand without losing any of their rosters, re-signing Taz and Arn Anderson to keep them on-board. Throughout the year, AEW has continued to bolster its roster to keep its action fresh and exciting, bringing in veterans like Matt Hardy, Brodie Lee, Brian Cage, Lance Archer, Colt Cabana, and Dr. Luther, young stars like Anna Jay, Preston Vance, Alan Angels, Abadon, and former NWA Television Champion Ricky Starks, and continued to expand their stacked tag team division by adding former 3x WWE Tag Team Champions and 2x NXT Tag Team Champions FTR (formerly The Revival). AEW took advantage of the diminished roster by utilizing many regional indie talents to flesh out AEW DARK, and in the process has found several new stars to sign on full-time, ensuring a youth movement amidst a solid core of veterans.
IMPACT Wrestling
Added: Chris Bey (February 18), Kylie Rae (March 31), Nevaeh (April 29), Kimber Lee (May 5), Tasha Steelz, Crazzy Steve (May 12), Deonna Purrazzo (May 26), Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows (July 18), Heath Miller (July 18), EC3 (July 18), Eric Young (July 18), Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (July 18)
Lost: Joey Ryan, Dave Crist (June 22), Tessa Blanchard (June 25), Michael Elgin (June 26),
Kept: Su Yung (June 11)
While IMPACT Wrestling lost several names during the #SpeakingOut movement, as well as their World Champion after a difference in philosophies during the pandemic, no other promotion has been as active in 2020 in restocking its roster and adding new faces. In February, they signed one of the West Coast’s top prospects in Chris Bey, who has paid dividends in becoming not only a star for the future but an immediate threat, winning the X-Division Championship this past Sunday at Slammiversary. The IMPACT Knockouts division, already one of the strongest women’s rosters on the planet, saw a massive influx of great talent, adding veterans like Nevaeh and Kimber Lee, a top prospect in Tasha Steelz, and managing to bring in former NXT Superstar and Black Wednesday victim Deonna Purrazzo, who has made an immediate impact and became the new Knockouts Champion at Slammiversary. They also re-signed Su Yung (and her alter ego Susie) in June, rounding out a women’s division arguably deeper than any of the other majors. After weeks of buzz around Slammiversary and its group of impending new arrivals, Sunday’s PPV saw The Good Brothers‘ Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson announce IMPACT as their new home, plus the return of Eric Young and EC3. The Motor City Machine Guns also returned to IMPACT and, along with The Good Brothers, will help to add a veteran presence to IMPACT’s tag team division. They also brought in another Black Wednesday casualty in Heath Miller (formerly Heath Slater), who looks to be in the best shape of his career, both physically and mentally, after a disappointing few years in WWE. With so many new faces calling IMPACT Wrestling home, the company looks to be in solid shape for the remainder of 2020 and in its best position in years.
Ring of Honor
Added: None.
Lost: Jeff Cobb (January 1), Bully Ray (April 1)
Kept: Marty Scurll, Bandido (January 11), PJ Black (January 23), Rey Horus (March 27), Angelina Love (April 8), Flip Gordon (May 25), Bobby Cruise (ring announcer) (June 22)
While some reports have stated that ROH has been on a contract freeze during the pandemic, the company has continued to announce re-signings throughout, with names like PJ Black, Rey Horus, Angelina Love, and Flip Gordon all receiving new deals. While they did lose Jeff Cobb and Bully Ray once their deals expired this year, they continue to be in talks with several indie stars about making the move to ROH, most notably indie cult hero Danhausen.
Major League Wrestling
Added: Zachary Cooper (February 17), Calvin Tankman (June 24)
Lost: Kotto Brazil (May 16), Saieve Al Sabah (July 4)
Kept: Richard Holliday (May 18), Hammerstone (May 24), Salina De La Renta (June 12)
MLW has been of the companies that have refused to run live events during the pandemic, but they’ve still managed to remain active. They locked up The Dynasty‘s Richard Holliday and Alex Hammerstone to new deals, as well as Salina De La Renta, and recently signed a rising indie star in Calvin Tankman at the end of June. MLW may still be a ways away from returning to television, but the company remains active in maintaining their unique roster and will be ready to go once they decided to start running events again in 2020.
National Wrestling Alliance
Added: Sean Mooney (announcer) (January 27)
Lost: Ricky Starks (May 18), Dave Lagana (June 19)
Kept: Eli Drake (June 9)
The rebooted NWA had a great 2019, debuting NWA Powerrr on YouTube that became critically acclaimed for its unique blend of modern wrestling with a retro old school approach. While they lost former TV Champion, Ricky Starks, to AEW earlier this year and re-signed Eli Drake this past summer, the toughest hit was losing Vice President Dave Lagana after allegations during #SpeakingOut forced his resignation from the company. According to Fightful Select, Lagana was a huge part of the admin team that kept NWA going and his departure has led to a massive restructuring in management. NWA isn’t planning on returning to broadcast until 2021, so only time will tell how the company can rebound in the new year.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
