---

---

Back in November 2023, a new independent promotion called appropriately, New Blood Wrestling, was announced.

With a rumored deal on Netflix and mystery behind the ownership group founding this, it had wrestling fans excited.....for all of five minutes.

Between the secrecy of the ownership and the ambitiousness of trying to get on a popular streaming platform like Netflix, fans were not buying it and dismissed it as fake news. The plans were later dropped, and Netflix later agreed to a deal with WWE.

The planned promotion was seen as an "urban legend" across various wrestling circles. Fans were intrigued about who the mystery people behind it were, and why they decided to walk away.

However, following Wrestlemania 41, rumors on the promotion's existence began to circulate once more.

"New Blood Wrestling", "NBW", "NBW Desire", and "NBW World Championship" were registered as trademarks, a deal with CBS to bring wrestling to the network for the first time was agreed, and most importantly, the founding figures were no longer a mystery.

Thanks to various wrestling insiders, Mark Cuban was revealed to be the company's financier and CEO, while Mick Foley was revealed to be the company's head booker and Director of Wrestling Operations. Other staff hires were announced, as well as an introductory press conference which was taking place on May 28.

Recent WWE releases were linked to the fledgling promotion, although the first show will take place after certain non-compete clauses have expirde.

Wrestling insiders describe this new promotion as a "gateway to the future of the wrestling industry."

---

---

---

A/N Yes, I'm bringing this back, and hopefully I get to do it justice this time.

PROLOGUE PART 1:

BREAKING NEWS: NEW BLOOD WRESTLING ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR DEBUT SHOW

NBW Director of Wrestling Operations Mick Foley hosted the promotion's inaugural press conference earlier today, in front of a crowded reporter's room at his hometown in Long Island, New York. Here were the more noteworthy events that took place:

1. Foley took the chance to introduce NBW President Mark Cuban as well as four key figures who will make up the NBW staff:

• Todd Grisham, a former announcer for both the WWE and UFC, who will be the lead play-by-play announcer.
• Brian Zane, one of the top wrestling content creators on YouTube, who will serve as color commentator and occasional backstage correspondent.
• Dean Malenko, former WCW Cruiserweight Champion and long time producer for WWE and AEW.
• Jim Johnston, long-time WWE music maker.

2. Cuban announced that the first show for their weekly series NBW Desire will air on Sundays from 6:00 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The first show will take place on August 10, from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

• When asked for comment about why they chose to put their show on Sundays, Cuban mentioned, "There is no law that states "you can't broadcast different wrestling content on the same day." For us, as long as professional wrestling exists, we don't mind the competition. On Sunday nights, the only non-wrestling competition for us, as far as we are concerned, is Sunday Night Football, and we like it to be that way."
• Foley mentioned that they are not scared to compete with AEW on pay-per-view. He also said that many wrestlers from across the globe are reaching out to join, but issued a warning: "The wrestling industry is changing, but those who want to be a part NBW must be loyal to the cause."

3. Foley introduced the main championships: the NBW World Championship, the NBW World Tag Team Championship, the NBW Women's Championship, and the NBW Extreme Championship. The latter can only be won and defended in no-disqualification matches, not too dissimilar to the WWE Hardcore Championship.

4. All of a sudden, the press conference was interrupted by ADAM COLE, which was a surprise to everyone as he had not been released by AEW. Cole referred to himself as the hottest free agent in professional wrestling today: "All my career, I have been stuck carrying other people's bags, then dropping them like the dead weight they are. NO MORE! I didn't become one of the best in the world to team with and fight the same guys over and over again. I'm Adam Cole BAYBAY!, and nothing is going to stop me."

5. The main event for the first show was confirmed: Adam Cole vs a famous ex-WWE wrestler. Foley declined to mention who Cole's opponent is, saying that it's going to be a big surprise.

Other matches announced were recent TNA alumnus Ace Austin facing "The Nomad" Bishop Dyer, and Nina Samuels facing Indi Hartwell. Time will tell if any of the four will be signing permanent NBW contracts.

Overall, the press event was a look into the future of the fledgling company, although a certain wrestling executive might have other plans.....

PROLOGUE PART 2: WHO COULD JOIN NEW BLOOD WRESTLING?

The rumor mill is buzzing about which wrestlers will be a part of the new wrestling promotion on the block, appropriately called New Blood Wrestling. Already managing to sign Adam Cole on a permanent deal, this company has said that it will pursue wrestlers from WWE, AEW, and various other American-based independents.

Here is a list of 5 wrestlers who people might see in the Mick Foley-Mark Cuban led organization come August the 10th:

1. Kyle O'Reilly

Despite Adam Cole saying that he joined NBW to get away from his past, it looks like his past could come back to haunt him sooner rather than later. Kyle O'Reilly has followed him to the ends of the Earth and back; from PWG to ROH, to WWE and now AEW. Besides the prior history, O'Reilly could be an asset to the fledgling organization in terms of being the top babyface:

Pros: A skilled technical wizard, has a championship pedigree around the world.
Cons: His past history with Adam Cole will undermine the latter's motivation for joining NBW. He also has a long-term commitment to AEW, so getting out of his contract is going to be a concern..

2. Elayna Black

One of the more shocking releases from WWE last month, the former Cora Jade is a hot commodity and already has independent dates lined up. Already with enough big-league experience before the age of 30, she could easily be the face of the women's division in NBW:

Pros: She has proven in NXT that she could anchor a women's division.
Cons: Injuries have stunted her growth a bit. She's also in very high demand, and she would want an independent run for the ages before signing for another major promotion.

3. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

A veteran of both WWE and Japan, Smith is no stranger to performing on the big stage. He can easily mentor the younger, less established names, and coming from a famous wrestling family, he knows what it's like to handle the pressure of expectations. If he does sign, it could be on a reduced role, so that he can balance training his peers and wrestling in the ring:

Pros: Can serve as an effective mentor to younger talents. Strong and technically sound.
Cons: Age is not on his side, and his commitments to All Japan could hurt his availability.

4. Billie Starkz

The only one of the five whose job is very secure right now, Starkz is another promising female wrestler who has caught the eye of many a wrestling promoter. Having failed to dethrone Athena for the ROH Women's Championship twice, ROH officials might be souring on her push there. This could be the opportunity NBW needs to establish a proper women's division with her as a likely star. Nevertheless, expect NBW to aggressively pursue her over the next couple of weeks:

Pros: Young, likeable, technically sound. Needs to step out from Athena's shadow.
Cons: AEW clearly wants her as the future of the women's division, so she could be staying there for a while.

5. Karrion Kross

With his WWE future in question, Kross could be a valuable talent to have in this new promotion. He can easily play the top villain, and his manager/wife Scarlett Bordeaux is one of the more underrated valets in the industry. The only downside is that he's gaining in popularity among WWE circles, and that could lead to a big push there:

Pros: Physically gifted, great character when given the opportunity, could leave for free with no 90-day non-compete clause.
Cons: Would consider fighting for his spot in WWE rather than move to a supposed "lesser organization".

---

---

A/N This is another of these "prologue articles" I have been writing. I'm still thinking about how the first show is going to go, and hopefully I will have an idea about the vision of this company by then. Wish me luck!