Report: AEW-WBD TV Deal Representing ‘Significant Increase’ Believed To Be ‘Imminent’

The long-discussed media rights deal between All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery has appeared to be inching toward completion over the last month, with the most recent reports indicating that WBD has offered AEW an “extensive” new contract, which AEW is in the process of reviewing. Now, just two days before AEW’s landmark event in Wembley Stadium, the saga shows every sign of nearing its final curtain.

On Friday, reporter Andrew Zarian posted the word “imminent” on X (formerly known as Twitter) then followed up with a slightly less cryptic elaboration.

“WBD sources have expressed continued confidence that a deal is happening with a significant increase,” Zarian said. “Plans for AEW content in 2025 on WBD continue to shape up.”

In the replies to his post, Zarian also made it clear that his sources believe the deal will involve putting up AEW content on the Max streaming service, though he doesn’t know what will happen in terms of AEW’s pay-per-view model. He’s also clear that the new deal is a good one for AEW. The promotion will air its second consecutive All In event from Wembley Stadium on Sunday; many fans have speculated that AEW CEO Tony Khan plans to announce the new media rights deal during the show.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW All In London 8/25/2024 (Card)

AEW all In London – Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Wembley Stadium in London, England

CARD

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
* Stipulation: If Bryan Danielson loses, he will retire *
Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Bryan Danielson

AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther) vs. “The Glamour” Mariah May

AEW AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay

AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP – COFFIN MATCH
Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed

AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mercedes Moné (c) (with Kamille) vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.

AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP – LONDON LADDERS MATCH
The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. TBD

FTW CHAMPIONSHIP
* Stipulation: If HOOK loses, he is unable to challenge Chris Jericho for the title again *
Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK

CASINO GAUNTLET MATCH
* Stipulation: The winner will receive a future AEW World Championship match *
Orange Cassidy vs. TBD

ZERO HOUR – MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii

Cryptic Post By Rumored Sixth Wyatt Sicks Member Could Be Sign Of Impending WWE Return

Ever since the Wyatt Sicks debuted on “WWE Raw” with only five members, there’s been speculation about a potential sixth. Some expected brief Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman to enter the fold; others believed the sixth member to be the spirit of the late Bray Wyatt himself. In June, mere days after the Wyatt Sicks’ mind-bending debut, Wrestling Inc. speculated that the sixth member was actually former multi-time women’s champion Alexa Bliss, and it that’s the case, we might be one step closer to seeing her return.

On Friday, Bliss took to her X account (formerly known as Twitter) where she posted a simple GIF of singer Taylor Swift lifting her eyes to the camera, accompanied by the words “Are you ready for it?” While Bliss herself added nothing to the GIF, the post was almost universally taken as a sign of her impending return to WWE.

Bliss hasn’t performed on television since January 2023, when she went on maternity leave shortly after losing a title match to Bianca Belair at the Royal Rumble. She’s been heavily associated with Bray Wyatt since first being drawn into his storylines in 2020, was at one point planned to be in a Wyatt-led stable, and was last seen in WWE storylines being stalked and re-corrupted by Uncle Howdy, the alter-ego of Bo Dallas, who currently leads the Wyatt Sicks.

Interestingly, the shot in the GIF is taken from the music video for Swift’s 2017 song “…Ready For It?” The video has a distinct science fiction flavor, while the song lyrics include lines like “Knew he was a killer first time that I saw him/Wondered how many girls he had loved and left haunted/But if he’s a ghost, then I can be a phantom,” as well as the repeated phrase “let the games begin.” 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 8/24/2024

AEW Collision on TNT from the Utilita Arena Cardiff in Cardiff, Wales.

  • Top Flight & Lio Rush vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac – (Winner gets last spot in the AEW World Trios Championship London Ladders Match at All In)
  • Jeff Jarrett vs Ariya Daivari
  • Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe vs The Undisputed Kingdom
  • HOOK vs Big Bill
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs Jay Lethal
  • Willow Nightingale vs Harley Cameron
  • Mixed Tag Team Match: Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway vs Nina Samuels & Kid Lykos II

AEW Rampage Preview 8/23/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Brian Cage, Johnny TV & The Beast Mortos
  • The Von Erichs vs. The Outrunners
  • Iron Savages vs. Gates of Agony
  • Robyn Renegade vs. Mina Shirakawa
  • Roderick Strong vs. Fuego del Sol

WWE SmackDown Preview 8/23/2024

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX and emanate from the Capital One Center in Washington, DC.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Bloodline (c) (Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
  • WWE United States Championship Match: LA Knight (c) vs. Santos Escobar
  • Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi vs. Women’s Tag Team Champions The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) and Blair Davenport
  • Grayson Waller Effect with guest Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes

Ex-WWE Star Ronda Rousey Posts Lengthy Apology For Propagating Sandy Hook Conspiracies

Former WWE and UFC star Ronda Rousey has posted a lengthy statement, apologizing for spreading misinformation regarding the Sandy Hook tragedy.

In 2013, Rousey posted a video that propagated conspiracy theories of the Sandy Hook massacre, that she later deleted. Rousey has now apologized for her comments, calling it the “single most regrettable decision” of her life. She added that she deserved to be “hated” for pushing the conspiracy theories and that she deserved to be canceled.

“I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the Sandy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul I am so sort for the hurt I caused. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing to it. I’ve regretted it every day of my life since and will continue to do so until the day I die,” said Rousey.

In her post, she also pleaded with those who peddle such conspiracy theories to refrain from doing so, stating that it only hurts others, and advised them to not go down that road. Rousey wasn’t the only pro wrestler who propagated such theories as another former WWE star Brian Kendrick also alleged that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a hoax. Rousey’s controversial theories were also used during her feud with Natalya, when the WWE star mentioned it on Twitter/X.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Report: Ex-WWE Star Ricochet Signs Multi-Year Deal With AEW, Could Debut At All In

The future of Ricochet has become a little clearer.

Coming off the expiration of his WWE contract, reports indicated that former Intercontinental Champion Ricochet was expected to imminently join All Elite Wrestling. That plan has now reportedly become a reality, with Ricochet quietly signing a deal with the promotion led by Tony Khan.

According to Fightful Select, Ricochet has inked a multi-year agreement with AEW with the help of an agent. Furthermore, he is figured into upcoming AEW shows, beginning with a potential appearance at AEW’s biggest pay-per-view of the year — All In. This year’s All In event will emanate from Wembley Stadium in London, England on Sunday, August 25. With this in mind, several sources have claimed that Ricochet is headed to London for a planned appearance at AEW All In. The circumstances surrounding Ricochet’s possible involvement is still unknown. Should Ricochet emerge at AEW All In, it will mark his official AEW debut.

In June 2024, Ricochet reportedly informed WWE officials of his desire to leave the company upon the conclusion of his latest deal. As such, Ricochet was written off of WWE television shortly thereafter in a “WWE Raw” segment that saw Bron Breakker send him crashing through a car windshield. On June 30, Ricochet was moved to the alumni section of WWE’s website, just hours before his contract officially expired.

In moving to AEW, Ricochet will be met with a number of new and familiar faces. Some of these familiar faces include former WWE colleagues like Mercedes Mone, Adam Cole, and Saraya, while others like Will Ospreay and The Young Bucks precede his WWE days.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

TNA Impact Wrestling Preview 8/22/2024

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of TNA Impact tonight on AXS TV as the build continues for TNA Emergence 2024.

  • Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Hammerstone vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. KUSHIDA
  • Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Bhupinder Gujjar vs. Jai Vidal vs. Laredo Kid
  • Matt & Jeff Hardy vs. Moose & JDC
  • Matt Cardona, Steph de Lander & TBD vs. PCO, Rhino & Xia Brookside
  • Alisha Edwards vs. Rosemary
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Jonathan Gresham

ROH TV Preview 8/22/2024

Ring Of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV on Honorclub tonight.

  • Dustin Rhodes, Sammy Guevara & The Von Erichs vs. Undisputed Kingdom & Dark Order (John Silver & Alex Reynolds)
  • Atlantis Jr, Serpentico & Fuego Del Sol vs. Cage of Agony (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, & Toa Liona)
  • Tony Nese vs. Lio Rush
  • Tiara James vs. Marina Shafir
  • Angelico vs. Aaron Solo
  • Jacoby Watts & Nick Comoroto vs. Cool Hand Ang & Daddy Magic
  • EJ Nduka vs. TBD
  • Abadon vs. TBD
  • Komander vs. TBD
  • MxM Collection vs. TBD
  • Trish Adora vs. TBD