Many WWE stars have popped up on the independent scene in recent years, with the likes of Shayna Baszler, Charlie Dempsey, and The Creed Brothers competing at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport events, and DIY returning to AIW in Cleveland over SummerSlam weekend. Now it seems that two of Ireland's most successful performers will be returning to their home territory as it was recently announced that The Judgment Day's Finn Balor and JD McDonagh will be appearing at OTT's Tenth Anniversary Show on October 26.
The show will take place at the famous National Stadium in Dublin, and Fightful Select's Corey Brennan was able to gather some more information about the announcement, which was made at the company's ScrapperMania VIII event that took place on August 10. According to Brennan, none of the talents who were at the ScrapperMania show were aware of the announcement, to the point where a number of them were just as, if not more surprised, than the fans were. It's unclear at the time of writing whether or not Balor and McDonagh will be wrestling at the event or simply making an appearance, but one source within OTT believes that only the live audience who attend the show will see it.
McDonagh made a surprise appearance for OTT in March 2022 to wrestle Mark Haskins, but the match was not broadcast to the world, instead being held exclusively for the live audience. The OTT source believed the upcoming appearance might be different thanks to the new WWE regime, with McDonagh's appearance at ScrapperMania VI in 2022 taking place while Vince McMahon was still in charge of the company.
Return To The Independent Scene
While the WWE World Tag Team Champions have been dominating the main roster, they will be returning to their roots in October, making an appearance at the 10th Anniversary show of Over the Top Wrestling. McDonagh has a long history with the promotion, competing for the promotion from 2014 to 2019, winning the OTT World Championship on two different occasions. In fact, McDonagh's appearance at ScrapperMania VI in 2022 took place while Vince McMahon was still in charge of the company, marking a significant change in the landscape of WWE's involvement in independent promotions under Triple H's regime.
Reaction To The Announcement
McDonagh took to Twitter to express his excitement for the upcoming event, writing, “It’s been too long, OTT Wrestling. See ya Oct 26. ♂️.” The announcement was made at the OTT ScrapperMania VIII event on August 10, and McDonagh was quick to share his thoughts, highlighting the anticipation surrounding his return to the promotion that has played a significant role in his career. Despite his run in OTT ending in 2019, McDonagh would make a one-off appearance at a March 2022 event, where he challenged Mark Haskins for the OTT World Title in a dark match. While Balor, on the other hand, has never competed for OTT, with the promotion's founding year of 2014 coinciding with Balor's signing with WWE.
A New Era of Collaboration?
The appearance of Balor and McDonagh at OTT's Tenth Anniversary show is just the latest example of WWE collaborating with other companies recently, with NXT working with TNA being the most frequent example. Plus, AJ Styles has competed for NOAH, and IYO SKY has wrestled for Marigold. Additionally, Tavion Heights and Josh Briggs are competing in NOAH's N-1 Victory tournament. This shift towards greater collaboration has been particularly evident under Triple H's leadership, signifying a change in WWE's approach to talent development and cross-promotion opportunities.
The Future of The Judgment Day
While their WWE plates are already full, it seems Balor and McDonagh will be keeping busy outside of the company too. Balor and McDonagh are the reigning WWE World Tag Team Champions, but they've been making headlines for their recent involvement in the Judgment Day's dramatic split. Balor turned on Damian Priest at WWE SummerSlam, costing him the World Heavyweight Title. The following episode of WWE RAW saw the birth of a new version of the group with Balor, Mysterio, Morgan, and McDonagh joined by Carlito. This new iteration of The Judgment Day includes the Women's World Champion and the World Tag Team Titles, adding a whole new dynamic to the group's future in WWE.
A Celebration of Irish Wrestling
The upcoming event marks a significant milestone for OTT Wrestling, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The promotion has consistently showcased some of the most exciting and talented wrestlers in Ireland, offering fans a unique and thrilling experience. The appearance of Balor and McDonagh adds another layer of excitement to the already highly anticipated event, with fans eagerly awaiting the potential for a surprise match or a memorable interaction between the two WWE superstars and the OTT roster.
It remains to be seen whether Balor and McDonagh will still be WWE World Tag Team Champions by the time they appear for OTT on October 26, with Jey Uso teasing a pursuit of the titles along with Sami Zayn on the most recent edition of Raw. However, regardless of their championship status, The appearance of these two prominent WWE stars at OTT's Tenth Anniversary show is a testament to the growing influence and appeal of Irish wrestling, both domestically and internationally. The event promises to be a memorable one, drawing attention to the talent and passion of the Irish wrestling scene and solidifying OTT's position as a leading force in the European wrestling landscape.
