Rumor Roundup and DEBUNKATHON, News Update: Roman Reigns, Cena/Styles, Josh Barnett, TNA Invasion, Nash

Your Friday pro wrestling and Fightful RUMOR ROUNDUP

News

• As Fightful reported last night, Masha Slamovich is not on tonight's Victory Road. We've not heard that she's at the site of the show, either.

• Fightful also previously reported that the creative around Brock Lesnar and John Cena was locked in by early the week prior at the latest. The result was not changed the day of the show.

• Kevin Nash legitimately did get his procedure done, which he told us was just an electric shock. He did not actually have a penis reduction.

• Roman Reigns has completed filming Street Fighter. He is not expected at tonight's Smackdown.

• We can't speak to how long John Cena vs. AJ Styles has been planned, but it wasn't a case of WWE "listening" to fans as it unfolded. The social media build was planned out as Cena has no remaining dates before Crown Jewel.

• A number of the people in the TNA invasion told us it was the first time they've stepped foot in the Performance Center for years.

• Sgt. Slaughter spoke to Bill Apter and confirmed our report that phones were not allowed at Vince McMahon's 80th birthday

Elsewhere

• Wrestling Observer reports that Jonathan Gresham is set to be cleared after suffering a stroke.

• Wrestling Observer also reported that Jacob Fatu is set to return imminently. Fightful was told was never supposed to miss much time.

• Observer reported that AEW All Out ended up with 135,000 to 140,000 buys, which ended up as a big number for them.

• Wrestlevotes has reported that Brock Lesnar is tentatively slated for Royal Rumble 42. Those we spoke to said that he's off television for a while.

FACEBOOK RUMOR DEBUNKATHON

The rumors on Facebook continue to get dumber and dumber.

• Sportskeeda headlines indicated that we reported that Saudi bonuses were "cut" from shows. That isn't the case. Most things are just worked into the downside guarantee. We didn't report that they had been "cut."

• There were unusual lies that "the media reported Pat McAfee was forced off of WrestlePalooza commentary." That never happened and wasn't reported.

• There were also AI conducted articles claiming The Rock is scheduled for Survivor Series: War Games. Nobody in WWE has heard that.

***

Sean Ross Sapp spoke with Josh Barnett and PROGRESS' Lee McAteer ahead of Josh Barnett's Bloodsport London, airing Sunday, September 28 on Triller!

What made the decision to do Bloodsport in the UK a reality?

Josh Barnett: "Honestly, it was simply because Progress came to us, loved what we do, and asked if we would be up for taking it across the pond. With us, it's "Have FIGHT, will travel" as long as you want to bring us over."

Lee McAteer: "There’s an incredible depth of history and pedigree in UK wrestling and combat sports, so it’s only right the world gets to witness firsthand the level of homegrown talent we have across the pond, especially in a Bloodsport setting." 

"This event is a showcase for new and current stars - a testament to just how strong the UK scene truly is. On a personal level I am really excited to see what RPD can do, especially as an honourary member of William Regal’s Blackpool Combat Club. There’s a reason RPD is held in such high regard, now it’s time for everyone to see why. "

Josh, you've run Bloodsport in Japan before, did that help prepare you for promoting one outside the US, and what other challenges did you face?

Josh Barnett: "It does in some ways, but every locale is different and with that, the challenges that come from it. So far, this has been a pretty standard process in terms of producing the show.

Oli Thompson is on the show, and he's faced Rezar of Authors of Pain, and Minowaman in the past. Why was he the right call to face Josh, as that is a sought out position to be in?

Josh Barnett: "For the reasons you listed as well as the lengthy MMA career, taking 8th place in the World's Strongest Man competition, and for winning the IGF Openweight belt. A big, incredibly strong, heavyweight like that is exactly the kind of person I want to face!"

Lee McAteer: "Ollie is a true powerhouse – a big, strong heavyweight who will bring legitimacy and excitement to the Electric Ballroom. That’s exactly the type of opponent as a fan you want to see compete against Josh, and I’m sure the fans will not be disappointed."

Are you expecting this to look different from previous Bloodsport shows because of natural stylistic differences?

Josh Barnett: "Not at all. Bloodsport works on the universal aesthetics of combat and violence. This something understood since Man crawled into existence and holds currency in every culture across history."

Lee McAteer: "I might be biased, but in my view what makes this one so special is the setting. The Electric Ballroom is the home of PROGRESS Wrestling, it’s where so many huge moments in British wrestling have taken place. To bring Bloodsport into that environment creates a completely unique atmosphere whilst still sticking to everything Bloodsport represents. The history of the Ballroom mixed with the raw, stripped-back combat of Bloodsport is going to give fans something they’ve never quite experienced here before. It’s the perfect collision of worlds – the iconic venue and a brand built on pure combat."

Anthony Ogogo was recently added to the show. What is the process of getting something like that cleared?

Josh Barnett: "Just a conversation really. Ogogo, being the storied combat athlete that he is, as soon as he talked with us and saw what was on the menu, he knew immediately it was his favorite dish - COMBAT."

Lee McAteer: "At Bloodsport, fans will see firsthand not only why Anthony Ogogo earned Olympic hardware, but why he’s feared in any ring and respected as the genuine article in combat sports. He was undefeated in AEW for a long time for a reason. Eyebrows will be raised here all over the globe with The Guv’nor being on Bloodsport, I am sure everyone at AEW will be watching closely. He won’t disappoint."