Author: John Bass

Tony Khan Provides An Update On Toni Storm’s Future

AEW President Tony Khan has shed light on the status of “Timeless” Toni Storm following her recent dramatic announcement about retiring from professional wrestling.

Earlier this week, Storm made waves by declaring that she was stepping away from the ring after a string of high-profile losses. Reflecting on her recent setbacks, the former AEW Women’s World Champion stated, “I’ve failed at everything. I lost in AEW, I lost in Japan, I lost in Mexico. This is the last you’ll hear from me again.”

The heartfelt declaration left fans stunned, sparking concerns about the future of one of AEW’s most unique and charismatic stars.

Speaking during a media call on Thursday to promote the upcoming AEW Full Gear 2024 pay-per-view event, Khan addressed Storm’s emotional remarks and provided some clarity.

“Timeless Toni Storm has been a great world champion for AEW. I think reports of her demise have been greatly exaggerated,” Khan said. He added, “I still expect Toni Storm will have a great wrestling career, but she’s really struggling, clearly, with what’s happened. She lost the world title, she lost her protégé. I think she feels like she lost everything, and now she’s lost.”

Khan expressed hope for the return of Storm to AEW, emphasizing her importance to the promotion. “I hope Toni Storm can find herself and come back to us in AEW because Timeless Toni Storm is a great part of AEW,” he concluded.

What’s Next for Toni Storm?

It’s no secret that Storm has been one of AEW’s most captivating performers, particularly since embracing her “Timeless” persona. A mixture of old Hollywood glam and unhinged unpredictability, Storm’s character has been a breakout hit, offering some of AEW’s most entertaining segments in recent months.

Still, her losses in the ring—both in AEW and abroad—seem to have taken a toll on her confidence. Fans are left wondering if Storm’s comments signal a character-driven development or a genuine moment of introspection for the star.

As Full Gear approaches, Storm’s future remains a hot topic. Whether this is the end of “Timeless” Toni Storm or the start of her next great chapter, the wrestling world will be watching closely.

Kylie Rae Joins ‘WWE ID’ Program

Kylie Rae has signed on with WWE’s “Independent Development” program.

During Freelance Wrestling’s ‘Thursday Night Slammasters’ event, it was announced that Rae has joined the WWE ID program.

Rae has previously worked for AEW, TNA Wrestling, GCW, and many other promotions.

Source: eWn

TNA Impact Preview 11/21/2024

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of TNA Impact tonight on AXS TV.

  • No DQ Match for TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Alisha Edwards
  • Ash by Elegance vs. Jody Threat
  • Trent Seven, Hammerstone & Jake Something vs. The Hardys & Ace Austin
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Rhino

ROH Preview 11/21/2024

ROH TV tonight on HonorClub.

  • Ariya Daivari vs. Shingo Takagi
  • ROH Women’s Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena (c) vs. Leila Grey
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Mike Bennett
  • ROH World Television Championship: Brian Cage (c) vs. AR Fox
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd vs. Angelico
  • JD Drake & Beef vs. Shane Taylor Promotions
  • Kevin knight vs. Serpentico

AEW’s Kenny Omega Challenges NJPW Star To Match At Wrestle Dynasty

After spending all of 2024 sidelined due to a battle with diverticulitis, AEW’s Kenny Omega is officially ready to make his long-anticipated return to the ring. The former AEW World Champion wasted no time stirring the pot, issuing a challenge that could define NJPW’s Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025. Omega is prepared to face NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd, with tensions between the two already boiling over after their heated exchange at NJPW’s Power Struggle event earlier this month.

The Challenge That Shook NJPW

In an interview with NJPW1972.com, Omega opened up about the incident with Kidd and expressed his desire to resolve their issues in the ring. Omega emphasized his respect for the business and the relationship between AEW and NJPW while laying the groundwork for a monumental clash.

“I’d like to address recent circumstances, and things that have happened with Gabe Kidd,” Omega stated. “I’ve had time to reflect after Power Struggle, and I feel I would regret not being able to make things right. I would hate for this situation to cause a rift between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. So after conversations I’ve had with President Tanahashi and other executives in NJPW, I’ve decided that if New Japan requests it, if Gabe requests it, and if the fans want it, then I will wrestle Gabe Kidd, as a professional, at Wrestle Dynasty January 5.”

This public challenge now puts the ball squarely in Kidd’s court. Known for his brash attitude, Kidd has already been vocal about his disdain for Omega, criticizing the former AEW star for his supposed arrogance during his NJPW appearances. With Wrestle Dynasty just weeks away, all eyes are on Kidd to see if he will accept what could be the biggest match of his career.

Plans Shift for Wrestle Dynasty

Omega’s challenge has not only captivated fans but also shaken up the plans for January 5. Omega was initially rumored to team up with NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi to face The Young Bucks in a high-profile tag match. With Omega now setting his sights on Kidd, it appears those plans have been shelved—or perhaps transformed into a different storyline altogether. The Young Bucks, former AEW World Tag Team Champions, have already confirmed their participation in Wrestle Dynasty, though their opponents remain a mystery.

A New Year, A New Chapter for Omega

Omega’s return marks a significant moment not only for NJPW fans but for professional wrestling as a whole. Having been absent for an entire year due to illness, his comeback is expected to reignite his storied career while potentially solidifying his legacy in NJPW. A clash with Gabe Kidd offers an opportunity for both men to showcase their skills on one of wrestling’s biggest stages.

As the road to Wrestle Dynasty heats up, Omega’s challenge has set the stage for what could be one of the Tokyo Dome’s most talked-about matches. Will Gabe Kidd step up and seize the opportunity, or will Omega’s return take a different twist? Wrestling fans will have their answer soon enough.

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/20/2024

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite, which is the go-home show for Saturday’s Full Gear will air live on TBS and take place from the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

  • All Star 8-Man Tag Team Match: Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis vs. Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Lance Archer & Brian Cage)
  • CMLL stars Hechicero, Atlantis Jr., and Mascara Dorada will be in action
  • Contract signing with Chris Jericho and Tomohiro Ishii ROH World Championship Match at Full Gear
  • Big Boom! AJ of the Costco Guys to appear
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida

Backstage Report On Changes Made To Monday Night’s Pre-Taped WWE Raw

With most of WWE’s stars gearing themselves up for Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, the company has been taping episodes of “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown,” with the November 18 episode of “Raw” being the latest example. However, the show being taped meant that a number of things that happened live ended up being changed for the televised broadcast.

Matches Filmed Out of Sequence

According to Fightful Select, the November 18 episode wasn’t shown in the same order it was filmed. For example, viewers were greeted with the electrifying return of Rhea Ripley, who was revealed as the final member of the women’s WarGames team. However, this major moment was actually taped at the end of the show, not the beginning as it aired.

Meanwhile, the hard-hitting clash between Bronson Reed and Seth Rollins—which saw Reed secure a massive win, followed by an intense confrontation involving Solo Sikoa—aired as the main event. For those in attendance, though, it was the first match of the evening.

WWE also made post-production tweaks to enhance the televised experience, adding commentary lines and refining audio during certain segments to ensure the show delivered maximum impact.

Why WWE Tapes Multiple Episodes

The November 18 Raw taping is just the beginning of WWE’s holiday season adjustments. By the end of 2024, the company has plans to film three additional episodes of Raw and SmackDown back-to-back with live broadcasts.

  • November 22 SmackDown: The November 29 episode will be taped after the live show.
  • December 13 SmackDown: The December 20 episode will be taped on the same night.
  • December 16 Raw: WWE will record the December 23 episode following the live event.

The reasoning for these tapings? WWE wants to give its roster and crew some much-deserved downtime during the Christmas season. While the motive for taping the November 29 episode of SmackDown hasn’t been disclosed, the December tapings are aimed at ensuring talent and staff have an extended holiday break.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 11/19/2024

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • WWE NXT Title #1 Contendership – Chase U Will Disband if Andre Chase Loses: Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland
  • Ashantee ‘Thee’ Adonis & Karmen Petrovic vs. Dion Lennox & Brinley Reece
  • Tony D’Angelo vs. Brooks Jensen
  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Nathan Frazier vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair
  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jaida Parker
  • We will hear from Fatal Influence

Rey Mysterio Announces the Passing of His Father

In a post on his Instagram account, WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio announced the passing of his father, Roberto Gutierrez. Gutierrez sadly passed away on Sunday, November 17. Mysterio shared the following message:

“Father: thank you for giving me the life I have. You did more than set the example of how to love & maintain a strong marriage and father 4 boys, you were the example and passed every single time until your death with flying colors.
Excellent husband, loving father, beautiful grandfather, incredible son & brother, and amazing father in law.
You checked every list on the box and can honestly say my majority trates I picked up from you.
You fought until the very last minute and know that you biggest fear was leaving Moms behind, but I can assure you that she will not be alone and we will always look out for her.

You are with God now and smiling from the heavens while we continue with the real struggle of life until we see again.
You will never be forgotten and will always be loved, RIP Pops

Love You Always”

Gutierrez was the grandfather of WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio

Mysterio’s parents were born in Mexico but later moved to the U.S., where the WWE star was born in San Diego, California. The family, though, moved back to Tijuana, Mexico, when Mysterio was 8, due to his father’s job in the city. Mysterio has previously revealed how he used to cross into the U.S. every day to attend school.

WWE Raw Preview 11/18/2024

Tonight’s WWE Raw airs on the USA Network, taped last Monday from the Van Andal Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus
  • Bronson Reed vs. Seth Rollins
  • LWO (Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega) vs. American Made (Chad Gable and Ivy Nile)
  • The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) vs. The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio and Carlito)
  • More build towards Original Bloodline vs. New Bloodline War Games match at Survivor Series
  • Top star expected to return