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Published: Dec. 18, 2020, 6 a.m.

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    <p>I\\u2019m Matt Carlins and this is JUST Pro Wrestling News for Friday, December 18, 2020.</p>\\n

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This update is sponsored by IndyWrestling.us.

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Results from Thursday\\u2019s NXT UK are straight ahead, but first\\u2026

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Ring Of Honor\\u2019s biggest event of the year - and its first pay-per-view since last December. Final Battle is just hours away. But there\\u2019s uncertainty surrounding part of the card. Last week, ROH announced EC3, Flamita and Bandido are OUT of the show due to COVID-19 testing protocols. ROH will announce changes to tonight\\u2019s card during the free First Hour of Final Battle, beginning at 8PM. EC3 was set to battle Jay Briscoe. Flamita and Bandido were going to defend their 6-man tag titles.

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As for the matches that WILL happen. Rush defends the ROH World Title against Brody King. Jonathan Gresham will wrestle TWICE. He\\u2019ll defend the Pure Title against Flip Gordon...and he and Jay Lethal will put their tag titles on the line against Mark Briscoe & PCO. Also, Danhausen can secure an ROH contract IF he can beat Brian Johnson.

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WWE updating the card for Sunday\\u2019s TLC show. The Fiend vs Randy Orton will now be a Firefly Inferno Match! Also, a rematch from last Friday\\u2019s Smackdown is set for TLC with Sasha Banks defending her Women\\u2019s Title against Carmella.

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A reminder that tonight\\u2019s SmackDown airs on FS1. The Street Profits are set to defend their tag titles against Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. Also, Bianca Belair faces Bayley.

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Some interesting names on tonight\\u2019s New Japan Strong. KENTA is defending his Right To Challenge contract for the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship...against the aforementioned Brody King. Also, Jeff Cobb faces Rust Taylor - who recently signed with WWE and made his NXT in-ring debut just days ago as Tyler Rust.

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Some big announcements on Thursday\\u2019s NXT UK

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A-Kid will challenge WALTER for the UK Championship in the new year. There\\u2019s no exact date yet.

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There\\u2019s a #1 contender\\u2019s match for Kay Lee Ray\\u2019s UK women\\u2019s title coming. Jinny and Piper Niven will meet on the first NXT UK of the new year - on January 7th.

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Also on Thursday\\u2019s show, Gallus retained their tag titles against The Hunt.. Trent Seven announced he\\u2019ll be taking a break from the ring.. And NXT UK unveiled a hot prospect - announcing Ben Carter will soon make his debu. The 22-year-old worked matches for AEW and Impact over the last six months...before signing with WWE.

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Some injury news. NXT\\u2019s Cameron Grimes is out of action for the rest of the year. PW Insider reports Grimes underwent surgery last week.

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Otis is disputing reports that Vince McMahon recently ordered he and other \\u201cbig guys\\u201d back to the Performance Center for additional training.

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(Otis On PC Work)

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That\\u2019s Otis speaking with Fox Sports\\u2019 Ryan Satin.

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Impact Wrestling announced the Super X Cup tournament will be part of its Genesis show on January 9th.

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Jake Crist is now a free agent. He parted ways with Impact a couple weeks before his contract was due to expire.

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Impact fired Jake\\u2019s brother Dave and Joey Ryan after the explosion of #SpeakingOut accusations flooded the pro wrestling industry over the summer.

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Jake was pulled from TV and he said he was essentially \\u201cghosted\\u201d by Impact for 6 months until things finally thawed recently.

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(Jake Crist Impact Departure)

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Jake Crist on The Wrestling Inc. Daily podcast.

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Jake added he has no hard feelings toward Impact, and loved his time there.

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Finally, the site of WrestleManias 4 and 5 will soon meet its end. But first, Atlantic City is holding an online auction for the chance to push the button to implode the former Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. Money raised will go to the local Boys & Girls Club.

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That\\u2019s JUST Pro Wrestling News for Friday, December 18th. Our next update comes your way tomorrow morning, so be sure to subscribe to this feed. We also thank you in advance for leaving a glowing rating or review..

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I\\u2019m Matt Carlins. Thank YOU for listening.

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