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PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.
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-ROH has signed two of the top independent free agents available. PWInsider reported that PCO signed a full-time exclusive ROH contract and PWTorch has independently verified that report. PCO is expected to start with ROH in the immediately according to PWInsider’s report. PCO has had a career resurgence over the last year adopting a Frankenstein style character and putting out several videos Destro electrocuting him, drinking blood, and doing crazy things in general. His brawling style mixed with high-flying landed him a spot in PWG’s annual BOLA tournament earlier this year, as his first high-profile booking, but he really took off at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2 during WrestleMania weekend when he had a crazy match against recent NXT UK signee WALTER.
PCO has been pulled off his upcoming indie dates, as Black Label Pro announced he had to be removed from their upcoming show and PCO has responded to fans on Twitter expressing their disappointment he won’t be appearing at their local indies anymore.
-Additionally, PWTorch has confirmed with multiple sources that California independent standout wrestler Brody King has signed a contract with Ring of Honor. His contract is also believed to be an exclusive deal. King has been a standout on the California independent scene and recently saw his stock rise as he began appearing in PWG on a regular basis. King is a big man capable of going strike for strike and big move with any talent. He’s got a unique look with his tattoos and hard-hitting in-ring style. King took former PWG Champion WALTER to the limit in a tremendous match that showcased his style very well at “Threemendous V” earlier this year. King has also wrestled in MLW this year as well.
King recently wrapped up a tour in Australia with World Series Wrestling and is expected to start with Ring of Honor after the Final Battle PPV later this month.
Update: SEScoops.com had orginally reported that Brody King was expected to sign with ROH in November
Radican’s Analysis: These are two great signings for ROH. With the impending free agency of The Being the Elite crew, these signings give ROH some tremendous roster depth. PCO has been a hit with indie wrestling fans and his character should add tremendous jolt to ROH’s TV product if it’s produced correctly. For PCO, the former WWE wrestler, to get a contract at the age of 50 by reinventing himself and getting his new character over is a major accomplishment.
King is a great prospect as well. He’s got a unique look and is a hard-hitting wrestler capable of wrestling compelling matches against a variety of different opponents. King’s name is just starting to get some buzz, so for ROH to sign him to a deal at this stage of his career is a major get for the company, as he and PCO both add an element of freshness to the roster that hasn’t been there in a long time. They form a great nucleous of new talent alongside the recently signed Jeff Cobb.
It’s going to be hard for ROH to drop the ball on these two wrestlers, but if booker Delirious puts some effort into pushing them and trying to make them stars, they could be part of the solution to get the company through a difficult time if the Being the Elite cast ends up departing as a unit come the end of the month.
These signings take away two potential talents that could work for All Elite Wrestling as well should that company lead by the Being the Elite crew and backed by the ownership of the Jacksonville Jaguars get off the ground in 2019.