Body Slam Brigade # 61 – Evil Uno Thinks Differently!

By Ryan Joy
Updated: July 6, 2021
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Body Slam Brigade # 61 – Evil Uno Thinks Differently!

July 2, 2021

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“Well, Evil Uno thinks differently.”

That’s a direct quote from Evil Uno himself as he let Kenny Omega know that Hangman Adam Page is a challenger that Kenny should think about.

Hangman Page is the obvious challenger for Kenny Omega to wrestle, but I assumed that match wouldn’t happen until November. I guess I needed to “think differently.”

As the Empty Arena era comes to an end this month, everyone is going to have to “think differently” about wrestling. I can’t wait to see who the fans get behind and how reintroducing the fan aspect changes the game.

I’m prepared to think differently, Evil Uno thinks differently, and I hope that given some live feedback all of the wrestling promoters in the world are prepared to think differently too!

I realize that was a bit abstract, but keep reading for this week’s five topics!

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1. Main Roster Call Ups

Shotzi Blackheart, Scarlett, Bronson Reed, and Karrion Kross have all been backstage at WWE Main Roster shows. Some of them have even worked dark matches.

Members of main roster management, Bruce Prichard and John Laurinaitis, have spent some time at the WWE Performance Center scouting talent.

On Thursday (7/1), Vince McMahon was scheduled for a trip to the performance center to do some scouting himself.

Fightful says that WWE is looking to replenish the main roster after all the roster cuts.

The Wrestling Observer (Dave Meltzer) says that whenever the industry dips in popularity, WWE looks to go younger and bigger.

Ringside News says Vince isn’t looking for excellent wrestlers. He’s looking for compelling characters.

Finding someone in the PC that checks all three boxes (big, young, and compelling) might be difficult. The first name that comes to mind for me is Cameron Grimes. Grimes isn’t huge, but he just barely hits the 220 mark that Meltzer talks about.

We did a whole episode of the Daily Wrestling News Show this week discussing what Vince might find at the Performance Center. You can listen here.

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2. WWE Cuts More Talent – Leaves 205 Live in Shambles

It was only a couple hours after this newsletter went out last week that we started getting word that WWE was doing another round of cuts.

I want to comment on some of the rumors that started coming up in the days following the cuts. Many of the new stories are expansions upon stories from Fightful.

Rumor: Per Fightful Select, Arturo Ruas and Marina Shafir were both intended to be a part of Diamond Mine.
- Ryan’s Response: Ruas found out in mid-June that plans had changed. Everyone that spoke to Fightful thought Shafir would still join the group at some point in the future.
Rumor: “Insiders” have heard that additional wrestlers will be released.
- Ryan’s Response: Fightful was probably the “insider” being quoted in other articles. To clarify, they issued a statement around 4:30 pm on 6/25 to say that some of the names they expected had not been announced. Later that day, the Bollywood Boys, Curt Stallion, and Killian Dain were released. It was unclear at the time if those were the additional names. Fightful has subsequently said that some big changes are still likely to come in the coming days and weeks.
Rumor: Nick Khan took the blame for this round of cuts.
- Ryan’s Response: There was a report from Fightful that Nick Khan held a meeting on Friday to take the heat on these cuts. Fightful subsequently came out to say that this report was erroneous and many of the releases were already in the works prior to Friday.
- Further: Cuts were likely suggested by Khan, approved by Vince McMahon, and then selected and carried out by someone closer to NXT, 205 Live, and development (Triple H and team).

The Full List of WWE Releases on 6/25: Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, The Bollywood Boys, Killian Dain, August Grey, Curt Stallion, Sabatelli, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Ever Rise, Marina Shafir, Arturo Ruas

Fightful reported that two wrestlers will make their debut on 205 Live this week.

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3. The Empty Arena Era Has Ended!
Watching AEW on Wednesday night this week felt like a shift in the entire industry. It was a great show and the final show in AEW’s residency at Daily’s Place. They kick off their tour with a show in Miami next week.

Almost all other companies are returning to the road and live crowds in July.

Here’s a tweet thread that you can reference to understand the schedule that companies are using to transition from Empty Arenas to live crowds.

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4. The Iiconics on Oral Sessions
The former Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were the latest guests on Renee Paquette’s Oral Sessions podcast.

They talk about the devastation of being released by WWE and the extra challenge of being without work and not having American citizenship.

As you listen to them tell their individual release stories, your heart will break for them. While that part is sad, I found it inspiring to hear their new goals and what they’re doing to better themselves during the down time.

A very good listen!

Check it out here.

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5. The Great American Bash from Rhodes to Flair to Cole
The bitter feud between Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole headlines the 7/6 NXT Great American Bash.

While this only marks NXT’s second use of the Great American Bash name, the event dates back to 1987 and has featured several other bitter feuds.

Earlier this week, I posted a Twitter thread with several of my favorite Great American Bash moments and memories. You can check it out here. Feel free to quote tweet and add your favorite Great American Bash memory.

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Thanks for reading this week’s issue. I hope you found it helpful or insightful.

Everyone gets a topic request, so feel free to submit one to me via email at [email protected]. I have been getting some good ones!

Also – if you need or want clarification on a rumor or news story that you’ve heard, feel free to contact me at the same email or on twitter.

If you have a question, everyone else probably does too, so I’ll respond to you and talk about it on the Daily Wrestling News Show.

Have A Great Weekend!

Ryan

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