Tag: ring of honor

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Blair Onyx Talks Midwest Wrestling, Glory Pro, And More

BLAIR ONYX MADE her first appearance on any annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranking in the 2024 “Women’s 250.” For those who have followed her path to success since she debuted in 2018, the recognition seemed not only well-deserved, but a long time coming.

Kristen Ashly of PWI is an avid Midwest wrestling aficionado, and took the opportunity to speak with Blair on her remarkable year.

©AEW/ROH

ASHLY: This year you ranked on a PWI list for the first time! Congratulations! What made this year different from others?

ONYX: Thank you! I feel like this year I did a lot more focus on inner work, and trying to focus more on keeping a consistent routine and actually enjoying the work I put into it. When you enjoy the journey, it becomes easier to be more consistent. I also made more of an effort to ask for help from different people and take more charge in communication with my coaches and mentors.

ASHLY: You had an extremely busy year, wrestling for nearly 20 different promotions. When it comes to indie promotions, which was your favorite to work with? Is there a certain way you approach choosing bookings?

ONYX: Some of my favorite promotions to work for include Freelance Wrestling, Glory Pro Wrestling, 2econd wrestling and many more. The main thing I look for in a company that I work for is that I enjoy the work I do there and I feel like I am able to play my role well. In regards to choosing bookings, I feel as though I try to fill up my calendar, always, to have more matches under my belt and more experience! I love wrestling in front of different crowds; it teaches me a lot.

ASHLY: You’re one of the talented women who have broken through from the Midwest scene. I live in Wisconsin, and I know the wrestling scene here is often slept on. In what ways do you think the Midwest scene is special?

ONYX:  I think the Midwest scene is special because we have so many prominent names that have come out of here like Cora Jade, Kylie Rae, Billie Starkz, and many more. I wouldn’t even say we are slept on. I think the Midwest girlies are making some ruckus!

ASHLY: What did wrestling in the Midwest teach you, compared to other areas?

ONYX: I feel like I mostly learned all I know from the Midwest, so I think it’s not really for me to say that I learned better here than another place because I didn’t have those experiences. I think success comes from within. 

ASHLY: Also out of the area aew Laynie Luck, Sierra, Missa Kate, and so many others. Do you think the women of the Midwest hold special attributes?

ONYX: I think the Midwest girlies definitely hold their own, but I wouldn’t say we’re above any other region, because I feel as though women’s wrestling as a whole is killing it. 

ASHLY: While ROH was in Iowa, you made an appearance facing Billie Starkz. How did the opportunity come about?

ONYX: I got a message two days before [asking] if I could make it out to Cedar Rapids. I was available, and two days later I debuted on ROH! It happened pretty quickly. 

©AEW/ROH

ASHLY: You had your fair share of matches with Billie in the past. Was this one different?

ONYX: Yeah! I never faced her on such a grand stage, and it felt like the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had. So, it was very full-circle to face someone I was a little familiar with in the ring. 

ASHLY: Glory Pro is a well-respected promotion, and you recently competed in their Women’s Crown title tournament. Laynie Luck eventually won the tournament against Shazza McKenzie in the final submission match. Any plans to go after a friend for the title?

ONYX: Absolutely! No matter who holds that title, friend or not, Glory Pro has been a fundamental part of my development as a performer in general, and there would be no bigger prize there for me than the Women’s Crown title. My mind is absolutely on how to advance myself in the ranks at Glory Pro. I recently picked up a singles win against Aminah Belmont, so I should be on their radar for a future title opportunity … and if not, I’ll make some noise. 

ASHLY: Now that you’ve debuted, what are your plans to rank higher next year? What’s in store for you?

ONYX:  I think I might have done something right in the past year with how my career has gone, so I am grateful to see the upswing. But now that I’ve gotten a taste of that, my mind is on how to continue this momentum. The work never stops, it just gets harder. 

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What, Exactly, Is Brian Johnson Doing?

Screenshot of Brian Johnson's empty Twitter profile

What, Exactly, Is Brian Johnson Planning? 

“I have no idea where this will lead us, but I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange.” – Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks

 I KNOW BRIAN Johnson.

 This isn’t Brian Johnson.

If you’ve ever bought a ticket to a show that he was on or ever watched him on television, then you, too, know Brian Johnson … and you know that this isn’t Brian Johnson.

Say what you will about him—and lord knows that many have—but the one thing you could never say about him is that Brian Johnson is a man who has nothing to say. That’s why all of this is more than a little unsettling. And why I had to dig a little deeper into finding out the answer to the question that has been bugging me for several days now: “Why has Brian Johnson gone quiet?”

In the wake of last week’s news that Ring of Honor would be going on hiatus following the December 11 Final Battle PPV and releasing all contracted performers, an outpouring of love and support went out to those affected by the news. Many current ROH wrestlers took to social media to thank the promotion for giving them an opportunity, but to also discuss their future. While it was a sad occasion, there was also some hope. Surely Brian Johnson, perhaps ROH’s most outspoken performer would have much to say about this, right?

Wrong!

Instead of the usual vitriolic Johnson we have grown accustomed to, all we got was a retweet of ROH’s announcement regarding going on hiatus, coupled with a quote from the man himself that said:

“Sometimes you can’t put the emotions and the feelings into the right words. I’m going to need a few days to gather my thoughts. When I do, you’ll hear from The Mecca.”

A screenshot of Brian Johnson's now-deleted tweet

Sensing something unusual was afoot, I took the above screenshot.

It’s now been more than a few days, and we have yet to hear from The Mecca. What’s more, his entire social media has gone dark, and even the above tweet has been deleted along with all pictures and posts. Johnson’s Instagram account is still active, but a tad unusual.

So, just what the hell is going on?

In short, I don’t know. I have exhausted all methods of trying to get hold of Johnson personally and have had no response from the man. One of the benefits of working with Pro Wrestling Illustrated is that you can normally be put in contact with almost anyone in the wrestling business, but absolutely no one I have spoken to has heard from or seen Johnson, either.

It’s not that anyone is being coy or secretive—they simply just don’t know what’s going on with “The Mecca.” Every person, however, has echoed similar sentiments to PWI Editor-In-Chief Kevin McElvaney, who said, “This guy never shuts up, so this is very unusual behavior.”

Brian Johnson is a loudmouth and a trash-talker. He’s angry and he’s opinionated. But he is also incredibly talented and has the chance to do big things in professional wrestling. So, you can be sure that whenever he does emerge, whatever he does next will be fascinating to watch. Until then, we wait with bated breath and wonder just what “The Mecca” has planned.