Wrestling Roundup: October 18, 2019

The Wrestling Roundup is here to bring you all the news and rumors you need to know in one place.

New Japan Parent Company Acquiring STARDOM

Bushiroad, parent company of NJPW, has bought Japanese female wrestling promotion STARDOM. The news was first broken by Yahoo Japan, and was confirmed by STARDOM on Twitter (h/t Fightful). With STARDOM now being under the same company as New Japan, the possibility of a NJPW Women’s Division increases. 

Stardom has been acquired by Bushiroad. More details to come shortly! https://t.co/1IGN5tEMPZ

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) October 17, 2019

Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani reportedly has become aware of the increased trends around women’s wrestling, specifically in WWE. He first made overtures to STARDOM in February. NJPW currently does not have female wrestling.

STARDOM is one of the biggest women’s wrestling promotions in the world. It has produced many stars, including Kairi Sane, Io Shirai, Riho, and Bea Priestley.

Top WWE Stars Not Booked For Saudi Arabia

Ahead of Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, a number of WWE stars are reportedly not making the trip for a variety of reasons (h/t WrestlingInc). 

Legends such as Undertaker and Goldberg, who wrestled each other at the last Saudi event, will not be on the card. Current wrestlers Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, and John Cena are not booked for the show due to personal reasons and issues with Saudi controversies. 

Sami Zayn will not be allowed to perform in the country due to being of Syrian heritage. No word is yet known on Aleister Black, who was not booked on the last show potentially due to the content of his tattoos.

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WWE Announces First Podcast

It was announced earlier this fall that WWE would be entering the podcast game. On Thursday, they announced their first show. Corey Graves will host the weekly podcast “After The Bell”, as announced by WWE PR.

Breaking: @WWE announces its first-ever weekly podcast #AfterTheBell, hosted by @WWEGraves. #AfterTheBell will launch on Wednesday, October 30 & offer the @WWEUniverse an edgy, unpredictable look at #MondayNightRaw, #FridayNightSmackDown & @WWENXT https://t.co/unGvt757vm pic.twitter.com/s6Z400WaNl

— WWE Public Relations (@WWEPR) October 17, 2019

The show’s official synopsis is below, courtesy of Fightful:

“Hosted by Corey Graves, “After the Bell” is an official WWE podcast that gives you a provocative look at the latest in Raw, SmackDown and NXT. Featuring exclusive Superstar interviews, “ATB” examines the world of WWE both between and beyond the ropes in a way that’s as edgy and unpredictable as Graves himself.”

The first guest for ATB was announced as well: Triple H. After The Bell debuts on Wednesday, October 30th.