Author: John Bass

Report – New AEW-WBD TV Deal To Be Announced Imminently

There have been ongoing discussions regarding the TV rights deal between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is set to expire at the end of this year, and a resolution may be imminent.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO and President, David Zaslav, along with TNT Sports Head Luis Silberwasser, are interested in retaining the five hours of AEW programming per week on TNT and TBS, featuring Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision. The reported figures being negotiated exceed the estimated $110 million annual mark.

AEW has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery since its inception in 2019. During this time, the promotion successfully recruited top talent and grew to become the second-largest wrestling promotion globally. The exclusive negotiation period between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery is now close to expiring.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the deal is expected to be announced, possibly before the exclusive negotiation window ends.

Dave Meltzer also mentioned the conflicting reports circulating about the ongoing discussions. He noted,

“There are expectations the deal would be announced imminently, maybe even before the expiration of the exclusive window for negotiating that is just about over. I will say that we’ve gotten people who say they know from all over saying completely contradictory things about the talks.”

Meltzer further stated that AEW President Tony has indicated that the new deal is positive and transformative, while competitors have reportedly suggested otherwise, demonstrating the complexities of these negotiations.

AEW is set to present the 2024 Forbidden Door pay-per-view event in partnership with NJPW this Sunday.

Source: eWn

Dijak Announces WWE Exit – ‘WWE Never Negotiated With Me’

Dijak recently announced via Twitter that he will be departing from WWE. His final date of employment is scheduled for tomorrow.

Dijak has also indicated his availability for future bookings. Notably, in his tweet, the WWE Superstar tagged the Twitter handles of Tony Khan, AEW, TNA, Tommy Dreamer, and NJPW.

He wrote, “Here’s the truth. WWE never negotiated with me. We attempted to negotiate and they stonewalled us. They never made me a single offer, then they informed me they would not renew my contract at the eleventh hour. 2 months ago I was in one of the best matches in NXT history, and a top match of Wrestlemania weekend. On that day, a top executive in WWE told me I was “crushing it.” I was slated to feud for the NXT title but I got called up to RAW instead. I consistently outperformed everyone’s expectations, especially throughout 2023 and early 2024. I never complained about anything or was difficult to work with. I tirelessly pitched ideas to anyone who would listen, as recently as the day before I was notified. I never once missed a booking, and I was injured 1 time in 7 years for 3 months. I’m thankful, disappointed, but also excited. This has lit a fire under me to relentlessly prove myself to the world. All I ever wanted was a fair shot and now I have the opportunity to go out and take it. That’s enough talk, now it’s time to Do or Dijak. My last day under a WWE contract is June 28, 2024. Bookings/Interviews: BookDijak@gmail.com Get ready to Feast Your F**king Eyes.”

Source: eWn

TNA Impact Preview 6/27/2024

TNA IMPACT tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and TNA+. 

  • Road to Slammiversary Qualifier: Nic Nemeth vs. Rich Swann
  • Road to Slammiversary Qualifier: Steve Maclin vs. Sami Callihan
  • Alan Angels vs. KUSHIDA
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Xia Brookside
  • ABC vs. Jake Something & Deaner vs. The Rascalz
  • Mustafa Ali’s State of the Union address

ROH TV Preview 6/27/2024

ROH will air a new episode of its weekly television show tonight at 7 pm ET on HonorClub. 

You can sign up for the streaming service here. Below is the lineup for the show: 

  • Lance Archer & The Righteous in action
  • Marina Shafir in action
  • Lee Johnson vs. Alex Reynolds
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Trish Adora
  • ROH Women’s World TV Championship Proving Ground Match: Billie Starkz (c) vs. Angelica Risk
  • ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher

Warner Bros. Discovery Implementing Stricter Language Policies For AEW

Warner Bros. Discovery has seemingly adopted a more stringent approach towards profanity on their broadcasts.

Explicit language was prominent in prior episodes of AEW Dynamite, but recent broadcasts have indicated an increased use of censorship.

The June 26th episode of AEW Dynamite notably featured instances where certain words and phrases were censored, including during a promo by MJF.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer remarked on the apparent shift in Warner Bros. Discovery’s stance on profanity, noting even the censorship of mild language, which was not a common practice.

Meltzer said, ”There’s definitely something that’s changed in WBD when it comes to language because they were bleeping tame stuff and they used to let almost everything go. Somebody somewhere has decided that what they were doing before is no longer kosher.”

Despite these changes, AEW continues to offer an edgier product with depictions of blood and violence. Whether Warner Bros. Discovery will extend its scrutiny to the level of violence depicted in AEW programming remains to be seen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Star Rhea Ripley Marries AEW’s Buddy Matthews

WWE star Rhea Ripley and AEW star Buddy Matthews have announced that they have gotten married.

Ripley posted a photo of the two kissing on social media, revealing that the couple got married on June 23, 2024. “Til death. 🖤 23.06.24,” said Ripley’s comment along with the photo.

The Australian couple started dating in 2022 and got engaged last year. A recent report revealed that Matthews was written off AEW television on the June 15 edition of “AEW Collision” so that he could return back to Australia to spend time with his family. On the show, Matthews was attacked backstage by The Patriarchy to write him off television.

Ripley recently discussed her relationship with Matthews, stating that the couple are happy about each others’ success in their respective pro wrestling companies. She added that Matthews isn’t threatened by her top position in WWE and that the AEW star is comfortable with what she’s doing. Ripley has been sidelined from WWE since April and had to relinquish her WWE Women’s World Championship after suffering a legitimate shoulder injury. As per a recent report, The Judgment Day member could potentially return to WWE at SummerSlam, which is set to take place on August 3.

Following her hiatus from WWE, Ripley’s on-screen partner, Dominik Mysterio, has been in an ongoing romantic storyline with Liv Morgan, the current Women’s World Champion, who was also the reason for Ripley’s injury.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/26/2024

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite, live on TBS from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and AEW International Champion Will Ospreay vs. Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun)
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal: Jay White vs. Rey Fenix
  • Trios Match: Blackpool Combat Club’s (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta) vs. LIJ (Shingo Takagi, Titan and Hiromu Takahashi). Bryan Danielson will be on commentary for this match.
  • Saraya, Harley Cameron and Anna Jay vs. AEW World Women’s Champion Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa
  • Kyle O’Reilly vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • MJF to appear
  • We will hear from Daniel Garcia
  • We will hear from TBS Champion Mercedes Mone’

Update On Ricky Starks’ Status Amidst AEW Absence

AEW has encountered challenges utilizing its extensive talent roster despite having multiple hours of weekly television.

In recent weeks, fans have expressed a strong desire to see the return of Ricky Starks, who has been absent from AEW programming for several months.

Starks’ last appearance was on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision, during which he suffered an injury scare, leading to a change in the planned match outcome.

Since that match, Starks has publicly stated that he is not injured and expressed uncertainty regarding AEW’s decision not to involve him in programming. Meanwhile, AEW President Tony Khan has publicly expressed his desire to bring Starks back to television.

Fightful has now shared an update on Stark’s status with AEW. According to sources within the promotion, Starks has turned down specific proposed storyline ideas despite conflicting accounts.

Some sources claim that Starks declined only one storyline pitch in recent months, while the extent to which he rejected other ideas remains to be determined.

According to reports, there were concerns regarding fan reaction when Starks was not booked at AEW All In 2023. This led to the development of a suspension storyline.

Additionally, at that time, Starks was reluctant to be part of a tag team and was dissatisfied with the lack of follow-up to his match with Bryan Danielson. Starks perceived the conclusion of last summer as a pivotal moment in his booking, noting a slowdown in his momentum following CM Punk’s departure.

Criticism has emerged within AEW regarding Starks’ approach to potential storylines. While some within the company have expressed disappointment at his reluctance to engage in proposed creative directions, others involved in the storytelling process had hoped to use these opportunities to elevate different characters.

Further reports suggest that there’s been internal disagreement within AEW regarding communication between Starks and the management.

Moreover, conflicting information about Starks’ aspirations has surfaced, with speculation that he may be considering a move to WWE. However, the specifics of his AEW contractual status remain unknown.

Source: eWn

WWE Hall Of Famer & Father Of Roman Reigns Sika Anoa’i Has Passed Away At Age 79

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoaʻi has died at the age of 79. Born Leati Sika Amituana’i Anoa’i, he was the father of Roman Reigns and late WWE star Rosey

Jahrus Anoa’i broke the news that Anoa’i passed away in an Instagram post. He leaves behind his wife Patricia and four children including Roman Reigns. Sika was preceded in death by his son Rosey.

Following in his brother’s footsteps, Sika began training in the early 1970s and made his Stampede debut in 1973. The Wild Samoans made their way to WWF in 1979 and became two-time WWF Tag Team Champions during their initial run. While away from the company for a few years, The Wild Samoans spent time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Mid-South, and Georgia Championship Wrestling.

Upon returning to WWF in 1983, Afa and Sika regained the WWF Tag Team Championship and reigned for several months that year. Sika returned again in 1986 as a singles competitor before teaming up with Kamala. His last televised WWF match would be a battle royal at WrestleMania IV, which was won by Bad News Brown.

Sika wrestled nearly a dozen more times following his sole WrestleMania bout, and his last match took place on the indies in 2006. The Wild Samoans were then inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and remained active as trainers at their own school in Florida.

After news broke Tuesday that WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i had died at the age of 79, his son Roman Reigns took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a tribute to his late father. 

“My family and I thank everyone for the outpouring of support in the name of my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, who will forever be remembered as one half of The Wild Samoans tag team,” he said. “My father had a profound impact on my entire family and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us. There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy. Rest in Power, Dad. We love you.”

https://twitter.com/WWERomanReigns/status/1805778972783034801

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 6/25/2024

Tonight’s WWE NXT on USA Network.

  • NXT Heritage Cup Match: Tony D’Angelo (c) vs. Nathan Frazer
  • NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil Match: The O.C. vs. Chase U vs. New Catch Republic vs. Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. Humberto & Angel
  • Trick Williams vs. Shawn Spears
  • Sol Ruca vs. Arianna Grace
  • Wes Lee vs. Joe Coffey
  • Tavion Heights vs. Damon Kemp