Major League Wrestling (“MLW”) today announced the signing of Zeda Zhang to a multi-year exclusive contract. The talented female fighter will join MLW’s much-anticipated women’s division which is slated to launch this year. A participant in WWE’s Mae Young Classic tournament, Zeda returns to MLW for the first time since 2018.
Zhang recently competed in China where she honed her skills under the tutelage of CIMA. Travelling around the world over the past year on a mission to learn new styles, Zhang has competed for promotions in Taiwan, Singapore, Shenzhen, Macau, India, South Korea and Japan. Zhang now returns to MLW where she competed in 2018 with her eyes set on becoming the inaugural champion.
“Zeda is an instant threat to all within the women’s division and I look forward to her matches for years to come here in MLW,” said MLW creator and CEO Court Bauer. “Zeda is not only a great athlete but a great role model and person. I’m ecstatic to have her join MLW.”
2-0 in MMA, Zhang is a dangerous striker with a strong arsenal of submissions, if the fight goes to the ground. With the support of her fans — known as the “Zhang gang,” Zeda Zhang now looks to make history as MLW brings its women’s division on-line this fall.
More details about the launch of the division as well as Zeda’s first match in MLW will be revealed soon.
It's Official: @CubsJoeMadd is invited to be a special “Manager” on Oct. 20 at #BFG in Chicago. He is the former @Cubs manager, a 2x World Series winner, who would sit ringside for the Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match, then will offer “managerial tips” to the winner! @MLB @Angels pic.twitter.com/gBO7igKyGT
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 1, 2019
IMPACT Wrestling‘s Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore issued earlier this week the following statement announcing that the promotion has made a guest off to former Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who led the team to their first World Series victory in over 100 years during the 2016 season. D’Amore stated, ”Joe Maddon is legendary in Chicago for his accomplishments in 2016, so IMPACT Wrestling is proud to invite Joe to continue his managerial career in Chicago on a slightly different field. Every wrestler wants to be the Champion, and who wouldn’t want to have legendary baseball manager Joe Maddon in their corner? Joe is a three-time Manager of the Year and two-time World Series Champion manager.”
The idea would be that Maddon would sit-front row at the upcoming Bound For Glory pay per view, giving managerial tips to the winner of the recently announced “Call Your Shot” gauntlet match. Maddon has yet to accept the offer.
? Relive the glory days, today!
? @nwa is bringing back classic wrestling from the studio!
?️ #FITETV will be airing #POWER, their weekly show!
? How excited are you for the return of old school wrestling?
? Coming soon ! pic.twitter.com/dEYENW6F5P
— fitetv (@FiteTV) October 1, 2019
NWA Vice-President Dave Lagana posted a message on the company website to express his feelings after the company’s first set of tapings in Atlanta. NWA is set to tap new episodes in December.
It’s everything you want it to be…. It’s everything you work for…. It’s everything that moves you. As a child of the 80s, I grew up on Rock N Wrestling and 6:05 wrestling. It’s not lost on Billy and I the power of this moment. #NWAPowerrr is being produced less than 500 yards from Techwood Drive. The heroes of our past are on our mind with each step we take. To have Jim Cornette, Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton there is a moment we will never forget. We are doing this to honour the thousands of memories they have created for all of us. We are honoured to carry this flag of tradition and legacy of the NWA.
And that fact isn’t lost on this generation marching forward. Nick Aldis and Tim Storm have been the heart and soul of this brand since October 2017. When no one gave us a chance, those two men believed in this crazy vision. Without them – we would not be here. This brand has always been about characters. And Jocephus is truly one. His work you’ve seen and all the work none of you ever see is so valuable to this new era. So many have lifted up this journey. So many have helped us. Like David Marquez and everyone at Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. They are part of this family.
Our friends at Ring Of Honor became the rocket fuel to give our talents and #TenPoundsOfGold to let us hit a new stratosphere. And that includes Cody Rhodes, Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson who opened the door for us to go ALL IN. Good luck to them on their next step today. Thank you, Joe Koff and Greg Gilleland for being true professionals and men of their word in their support of Billy and I. We would not be here without you. The business is about relationships and we truly value ours.
And as we stepped out on our own it was truly scary. Overwhelming. So much has changed for me and Billy personally since October 2016…. 2017… 2018… and now 2019. We are looking forward to 2020 and beyond. That’s the power of what we are doing. We have said #BrickByBrick because truly that’s it. Each talent who had believed and given their belief to each of us. You’re so important to the foundation of the National Wrestling Alliance. Talents working together… for a common goal… That is an Alliance. From Billy and I… to everyone in this picture. We are truly honoured to share this journey with you. That is POWERRR.
NWA POWER is coming worldwide every Tuesday at 6:05 pm ET (11.05 PM BST) starting on October 8th on NWA Facebook and YouTube channels, and on Fite.TV every Saturday night.
All pics courtesy of MLW, Impact Wrestling and NWA