The Dirt Sheet - 9/30/24

The Dirt Sheet – 9/30/24

Welcome back to The Dirt Sheet, where we deliver the latest backstage rumors, inside scoops, and breaking news from the world of professional wrestling. From Atlas Championship Entertainment’s 2024 Tournament of Aces shake-up to international drama, we’ve got you covered this week. Let’s get into it!

Atlas Championship Entertainment (ACE): Who Will Replace The Sultan in the 2024 Tournament of Aces?

One of the biggest stories in Atlas Championship Entertainment (ACE) right now is the ongoing fallout from The Sultan Amir Fayez’s suspension following his attack on referee Carl Simmons at ACE Fall-Out. With The Sultan banned from in-ring competition indefinitely, this leaves a huge question mark hanging over the upcoming 2024 Tournament of Aces, which is set to kick off on October 8th.

The Sultan was originally a lock for this year’s tournament, but now that he’s out, speculation is swirling about who will replace him in the 16-man field. Several names have already been thrown into the mix, and fans are eager to see who will step up. Here’s a rundown of the top rumored candidates:

1. Vicious Viking Lars Johnson:

Perhaps the most talked-about potential replacement is the 6’9”, 325-pound powerhouse known as Lars Johnson. Fresh off a destructive feud in Canadian Championship Wrestling (CCW), Johnson has the size, strength, and reputation to wreak havoc in the Tournament of Aces. ACE fans have been clamoring for him to make his debut in the promotion, and this could be the perfect opportunity for the Vicious Viking to break through.

2. Kyler Bass:

Another name being floated is Kyler Bass, another mammoth of a man from Canadian Championship Wrestling, the 6’6”, 400-pound behemoth from Hastings, MN would surely be amongst the favorites to take home this years crown.

3. Austin Adonis:

Former American Pro Wrestling (APW) World Heavyweight Champion Austin Adonis is also heavily rumored to be in the running. With a resume that boasts multiple world title reigns, Adonis is no stranger to high-pressure situations. His recent departure from APW has left the door wide open for a return to ACE, where he would instantly become one of the most experienced and well known competitors in the tournament. Adonis’ charisma and strength would make him a formidable opponent for anyone.

4. “The Jackal” Darnell Banks:

A dark horse pick is “The Jackal” Darnell Banks, a veteran high-flyer known for his cunning and opportunistic style. Banks has been competing in World Carnival of Wrestling (WCW) for the last two years and is rumored to be in talks with ACE for a possible return. His mix of speed and experience could catch a lot of the tournament’s powerhouses off-guard.

5. Riley Quinn:

ACE is also said to be considering Riley Quinn, a promising young star who’s been making waves on the independent scene. Though relatively inexperienced compared to some of the other names mentioned, Quinn has been on ACE’s radar for months. Sources say that ACE officials see big potential in Quinn, and this could be a golden opportunity for him to show what he’s made of on a bigger stage.

With just one week to go before the tournament begins, ACE officials are expected to make an announcement regarding The Sultan’s replacement tomorrow night on ACE Marquee, along with the rest of the bracket. Whoever fills the spot will have big shoes to fill, but with names like Lars Johnson and Austin Adonis in the mix, fans are in for a wild ride leading up to November Reign.

International Wrestling Alliance (IWA): Tag Team Turmoil on the Horizon?

In IWA, sources are hinting at a major shake-up in the company’s tag team division. Longtime tag team champions The Dominators (Derek Devlin and Lance Maddox) have held the titles for over a year, but backstage rumblings suggest that they could soon be facing their biggest challenge yet. A newly formed tag team, rumored to be a pair of international stars from Oriental Wrestling Organization (OWO), could be making their way to IWA in the next few months. This new team, reportedly called The Empire, has been making waves in Asia and could be on a collision course with The Dominators sooner rather than later.

Pacific Coast Wrestling (PCW): Rising Star to Get Title Shot?

Word out of Pacific Coast Wrestling (PCW) is that up-and-coming star Jason Cole may be on the verge of receiving his first-ever shot at the PCW Heavyweight Championship. Cole, who has been on a hot streak lately, has quickly gained the support of PCW fans, and insiders say that management is seriously considering moving him into the title picture. Current champion “Hollywood” Jeff Ryder has dominated the scene for months, but if Cole gets his shot, this could be the start of a major new rivalry.

American Pro Wrestling (APW): Hall of Famer Returning for One Last Run?

APW legend “The Icon” Michael Powers is rumored to be coming out of retirement for one final run. Powers, who was inducted into the APW Hall of Fame in 2022, has been teasing a return on social media, and according to sources, he’s been in discussions with APW management about a potential feud with current top star Bradley Knight. While nothing is confirmed yet, Powers’ return would be a huge moment for APW, and fans are already buzzing about the possibility of seeing one more match from “The Icon.”

Great Lakes Wrestling (GLW): Champion on the Move?

Sources inside Great Lakes Wrestling (GLW) have been reporting that current GLW Heavyweight Champion Jake Matthews has been in talks with World Carnival of Wrestling (WCW) about a possible move. Matthews has been a dominant force in GLW for the past year, but with his contract reportedly expiring at the end of 2024, WCW could swoop in and make a big play for the champ. If this happens, it would shake up both promotions and potentially set the stage for some exciting cross-promotion dream matches.

Gulf Coast Wrestling (GCW): Top Contender Injured?

Bad news for GCW fans as it appears that top contender Aaron Vance has suffered a knee injury during a recent house show match. Vance was being groomed for a title shot against GCW Heavyweight Champion Steve Jackson, but with this injury, it’s unclear how long Vance will be out of action. As of now, GCW has yet to release an official statement on Vance’s condition, but backstage sources are saying it could be a significant setback.

Canadian Championship Wrestling (CCW): New Tag Team to Debut

In Canadian Championship Wrestling (CCW), there’s buzz about the debut of a new tag team, The Thunder Brothers. The duo has been tearing up the independent scene and is set to make their CCW debut in the coming weeks. With CCW’s tag team division in need of new blood, The Thunder Brothers could quickly rise through the ranks and challenge for the tag titles sooner than later.

Oriental Wrestling Organization (OWO): Title Match Announcement Coming?

It looks like a major title match announcement is coming soon for OWO, as reigning OWO World Champion Zhao Yun is reportedly set to defend his title against Kenshin Kobayashi at OWO’s upcoming supercard. Kobayashi, who is known for his technical prowess, has been one of the most dominant stars in OWO, and a showdown with Zhao Yun could easily be the match of the year for the promotion.

World Carnival of Wrestling (WCW): Potential International Crossover Event?

Big news for fans of World Carnival of Wrestling (WCW) and Pacific Coast Wrestling (PCW) as the two promotions are reportedly in early talks for a potential crossover event in 2025. If this happens, it would bring some of the best talent from both promotions together for a one-night spectacle. Fans are already speculating on dream matchups, including Isaiah X vs. Andre Leclerc and The Neon Knights vs. The Matadors.

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Dirt Sheet! Stay tuned for more breaking news and backstage gossip from your favorite promotions.