Brian Pillman Jr. Drops OVW Title Due To AEW Commitments
Brian Pillman Jr. has relinquished the OVW Heavyweight Title.
In a statement from Ohio Valley Wrestling, OVW's General Manager Bryan Kennison announced Pillman will be vacating his title "effective immediately" due to his growing commitments with AEW. OVW's owner Al Snow also commented on the situation, offering his best wishes to Pillman's pro wrestling future.
"We've been really proud to have Brian as our OVW Heavyweight Champion, even if it wasn't as lengthy of a reign as expected," said Snow. "His talent really made everyone on the roster elevate their game and for that I am very grateful. I really think Brian is going to continue to shine in AEW and make all of us, and, more importantly, his father proud."
Later in the statement, Kennison announced a new OVW Champion will be crowned on January 9, in the 2021 Nightmare Rumble match. The winner of that match will not only become OVW Heavyweight Champion, but will also challenge OVW National Champion Jessie Godderz for his title later in the evening. Rumble matches to crown champions are no stranger to OVW, as just this past September Godderz himself won his OVW National Title in an over-the-top rope battle royal.
Pillman's reign will end at just 29 days, as he only won the title this past December at OVW Christmas Chaos, and his OVW run as a whole will end at just under five months. This title vacancy is the latest step the Varsity Blonde has made towards being full-time with AEW. This past summer, Pillman spoke to The Wrestling Inc. Daily and revealed he was "actively trying to get released" from his Major League Wrestling contract because his "biggest goal and dream is to be signed with AEW."
You can see OVW's full statement below:
OVW Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman Jr., effective immediately, will be vacating his OVW Heavyweight Championship. Because of his growing relationship with AEW (All Elite Wrestling) his obligations have grown to a point where he cannot maintain the responsibilities attached to the OVW Heavyweight Championship. Wile we at OVW are sad to see him go, we are also very happy for Brian Pillman Jr. on his continued success with AEW and wish him nothing but the best.
"We've been really proud to have Brian as our OVW Heavyweight Champion, even if it wasn't as lengthy of a reign as expected. His talent really made everyone on the roster elevate their game and for that I am very grateful. I really think Brian is going to continue to shine in AEW and make all of us, and, more importantly, his father proud," said OVW Owner Al Snow.
To crown a new champion, it has been decided that the winner of the 2021 Nightmare Rumble (on January 9th) will be the new OVW Heavyweight Champion. Furthermore, the winner of the rumble will also face Mr. Pectacular Jessie Godderz for the OVW National Championship later that night.