Category: AEW

The Butcher & The Blade Officially Depart AEW Following Contract Expirations

A longtime AEW tag team has officially reached the end of its run with the company.

According to a report from Fightful Select, The Butcher and The Blade are no longer under contract with All Elite Wrestling after their deals recently expired. The report states that AEW chose not to renew either performer, making both men unrestricted free agents.

Because their contracts were allowed to expire rather than being terminated early, The Butcher and The Blade are free to accept bookings and negotiate with other wrestling promotions immediately.

The duo has been part of AEW since the company’s early days. They made their memorable debut on the November 27, 2019 edition of AEW Dynamite, emerging from beneath the ring to ambush Cody Rhodes. Alongside their manager The Bunny—who is also Blade’s real-life wife—they quickly became regular fixtures in AEW’s growing tag team division.

During their time with the promotion, The Butcher and The Blade earned opportunities to compete for the AEW World Tag Team Championships on two separate occasions. Despite remaining a consistent presence on television, they were never able to capture AEW tag team gold.

Their final televised appearance as a team in AEW took place on the January 5, 2024 episode of AEW Rampage. The pair then wrestled what would ultimately be their last match together under the AEW/ROH banner on the January 18, 2024 edition of ROH on HonorClub, where they faced Top Flight.

Shortly after that period, Blade suffered a significant back injury that required spinal fusion surgery. The injury sidelined him for nearly two years, forcing Butcher to continue competing as a singles wrestler across AEW and Ring of Honor programming. Butcher’s final AEW match came on the February 22, 2025 episode of AEW Collision, where he faced Gabe Kidd.

Following Blade’s recovery and return to action, the team reunited on the independent wrestling circuit. The pair even hinted at a possible AEW comeback earlier this year, leading some fans to speculate that another run with the promotion could be in the cards.

Instead, their AEW chapter has now officially come to a close.

With years of experience, established name value, and immediate free-agent status, The Butcher and The Blade are likely to attract interest from a variety of promotions as they determine the next step in their wrestling careers. Their departure also marks the exit of another act that helped shape AEW during its formative years, ending a run that began nearly seven years ago.

Report: AEW Optimistic About MJF Injury Following Dynamite Title Defense

AEW World Champion MJF may have retained his title on Dynamite, but questions are now swirling about his health after reports surfaced that he suffered a legitimate knee injury during his match against Rush.

MJF successfully defended the AEW World Championship on the June 3 episode of AEW Dynamite, but the victory appears to have come at a cost. According to reports, the champion hyperextended his knee during the bout, leading to concerns about his immediate in-ring future.

The injury has already impacted MJF’s schedule. Beyond Wrestling announced that he would no longer be able to compete against Bobby Orlando at an upcoming event due to not being medically cleared to wrestle or travel. The match had been promoted as what MJF described as his final independent wrestling appearance for the foreseeable future.

While the situation has understandably sparked concern among fans, there is some reason for optimism. Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez shared an update on social media, noting that the injury is legitimate but that those involved are hopeful it will not prove to be serious.

Beyond Wrestling also indicated that MJF intends to make up the postponed appearance at a later date once he is healthy and his schedule permits.

At the moment, there is no official word on whether the injury will affect MJF’s AEW television appearances or championship plans. However, the timing is significant, as the road to AEW All In London is beginning to take shape.

Several potential challengers have already emerged. During this week’s Dynamite, both Mark Briscoe and Andrade El Idolo expressed interest in pursuing the AEW World Championship, although MJF quickly dismissed Briscoe’s challenge.

Meanwhile, the men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament continues to narrow the field. Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, and Brody King remain alive in the competition, with the eventual winner earning a world title opportunity at All In this August.

There is also the unresolved issue involving Kenny Omega, who was left frustrated after the controversial finish to his AEW World Title match at Dynasty. Should MJF be sidelined for any length of time, Omega would likely be among the first names mentioned as a major player in the championship picture.

For now, AEW appears to be waiting for a clearer assessment of MJF’s condition. With one of the company’s biggest events of the year approaching, the health of the reigning world champion will be a storyline worth monitoring closely in the weeks ahead.

ROH TV Preview 6/4/2026

Watch ROH TV on #HonorClub at http://WatchROH.com 8/7c.

  •  ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena (c) vs. Hyan
  • ROH Pure Championship Proving Ground Match: Lee Moriarty (c) vs. Mance Warner
  • ROH Women’s Pure Championship Proving Ground Match: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Isla Dawn
  •  Lacey Lane vs. Queen Animata
  • The Kingdom vs. Alec Price & Jordan Oliver

Mercedes Moné Makes AEW Return, Advances In Owen Hart Tournament On Dynamite

After being absent from the company for roughly five months, Moné resurfaced on the June 3 edition of AEW Dynamite as the mystery Wild Card entrant in the 2026 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The former tournament winner wasted little time reminding everyone why she remains one of the division’s top stars, defeating Alex Windsor to move on to the semifinals.

Moné entered the match with confidence and controlled much of the early action. She frequently taunted Windsor while maintaining the advantage, even attempting to secure an early victory with the Statement Maker. Windsor managed to escape and showed flashes of offense, but Moné quickly regained momentum and took the fight outside the ring, connecting with a neckbreaker on the apron before landing a Meteora on the floor.

The former champion continued to dictate the pace through the middle portion of the contest, though Windsor repeatedly refused to stay down. After the commercial break, Moné hit the Three Amigos and looked to follow up with a Frog Splash, but Windsor mounted a spirited comeback that forced Moné to regroup on the outside. Windsor then delivered a cannonball and a clothesline from the apron to swing momentum in her favor.

Back inside the ring, the action intensified. Moné attempted another Three Amigos sequence, but Windsor escaped the third suplex and connected with a Made in Japan for a close near fall. Windsor later tried for a superplex, only for Moné to counter and land another Meteora. The two continued trading near falls before Moné gained the upper hand with a Backstabber and immediately transitioned into the Statement Maker.

Unable to escape the hold, Windsor was forced to tap out, giving Moné the victory and a spot in the tournament semifinals. Following the submission, Moné continued applying the hold even after the bell rang, adding an extra layer of aggression to her return appearance.

With the win, Moné moves one step closer to capturing her second consecutive Owen Hart Foundation Tournament crown. Her semifinal opponent will be determined on this Saturday’s AEW Collision, where Persephone and Hazuki are scheduled to face off for the right to advance.

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/3/2026

AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia.

  • AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Rush
  • TNT Championship: Kevin Knight (c) vs. Mike Bailey
  • Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Semifinal Match: Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis
  • Owen Hart Women’s Tournament Semifinal Match: Alex Windsor vs. Wild Card TBA

AEW Launches Charity Merchandise To Support ALS Research – Rebel, Lou Gehrig Day

AEW has announced a new charitable merchandise initiative aimed at raising money and awareness for ALS research, with proceeds benefiting organizations dedicated to helping those affected by the disease.

The company revealed that Rebel Heart shirts and bracelets are now available through ShopAEW. According to AEW’s announcement on social media, the merchandise was released in honor of both Rebel (Tanea Brooks) and Lou Gehrig Day, with all profits going directly to ALS-related charities.

AEW stated that 100% of the profits from the merchandise sales will be donated to I AM ALS and Team Gleason, two organizations focused on supporting patients and advancing research efforts.

The announcement comes just weeks after Rebel shared a heartbreaking update regarding her health. On the first day of ALS Awareness Month in May, she revealed that she had entered the terminal stage of the disease. The news followed her previous announcement last fall that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

During the Double or Nothing post-show media scrum, AEW President Tony Khan discussed receiving communication from former NFL player Steve Gleason and representatives connected to ALS advocacy efforts. Khan expressed interest in partnering with ALS-focused organizations and mentioned the possibility of reviving Fight for the Fallen as a platform to help raise both awareness and funding for research.

Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints standout, was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and has since become one of the most recognizable advocates in the fight against the disease through his work with Team Gleason.

The merchandise release also coincides with Lou Gehrig Day, observed annually on June 2. Gehrig, one of baseball’s most legendary players, passed away from ALS on June 2, 1941. The disease became widely known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” following his diagnosis, and Major League Baseball now uses the day to honor his legacy while promoting awareness and fundraising efforts for ALS research.

Currently, there is no cure for ALS, making continued research and support initiatives critical. AEW’s latest charitable campaign gives fans an opportunity to honor Rebel while contributing to organizations working to improve the lives of those impacted by the disease.

Backstage Update On AEW’s Future Following Warner Bros. Discovery And Paramount Skydance Merger

Questions about AEW’s long-term television future have continued to surface following news that Warner Bros. Discovery is set to merge with Paramount Skydance, but a new report suggests there may be far less concern within AEW than some rumors have indicated.

According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, AEW President Tony Khan is said to be optimistic about the merger and the opportunities it could create for the company moving forward.

AEW currently has a media rights agreement with WBD that runs through at least 2027, with an option that could extend the partnership through 2028. While that means any major changes remain several years away, speculation has already begun regarding what AEW’s next television deal could look like once the current agreement expires.

Recent rumors circulating within WWE reportedly suggested that the Paramount-WBD merger could hurt AEW’s chances of securing a future rights deal. However, sources within AEW have painted a much different picture.

Fightful reports that Khan is enthusiastic about the possibility of continuing a relationship with the combined company after the merger is completed. One source indicated that Khan actually views Paramount as a more favorable long-term partner than the previous scenario involving WBD’s reported ties to Netflix.

Paramount also has a long history with professional wrestling. Over the years, the media giant has been associated with programming involving WWE, TNA Wrestling, and ECW, giving the company familiarity with the wrestling business.

Another point that has generated discussion is Paramount’s existing relationship with TKO Group Holdings, particularly through its broadcast partnership with the UFC. Despite concerns that those ties could complicate any future AEW negotiations, Fightful reports that sources close to Paramount do not view that as an issue.

According to the report, Paramount’s UFC agreement does not include any exclusivity provisions that would prevent the company from working with another wrestling promotion. A Paramount source reportedly emphasized that UFC is a content partner for Paramount, not a factor that would dictate whether the company could pursue a relationship with AEW.

While AEW’s current media deal still has several years remaining, the latest report suggests that those within the company are viewing the Paramount Skydance merger as a potential opportunity rather than a setback, and Tony Khan is said to be encouraged by what the future could hold.

AEW Collision Preview 5/30/2025

AEW Collision live tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT Coast-To-Coast on TNT and HBO Max from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

  • AEW Women’s World Tag Championship Five-Minute Eliminator Match: Divine Dominion (c) vs. TayJay
  • AEW World Trios Championship Match: The Conglomeration Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) (c) vs. Don Callis Family (Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta & Lance Archer)
  • AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Hazuki vs. Maya World (Persephone on commentary)
  • Jon Moxley & PAC vs. The Infantry
  • The Gunns vs. The Dogs
  • Lee Moriarty vs. TBA
  • The TBS Championship vacancy to be addressed

ROH TV Preview 5/28/2026

ROH TV on #HonorClub at http://WatchROH.com 8/7c.

  • ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship Proving Ground Match: Dalton Castle & the Outrunners (c) vs. The Frat House
  • ROH World TV Championship: AR Fox (c) vs. Dezmond Xavier
  • AEW National Championship: Mark Davis (c) vs. Adam Priest
  • Maya World vs. Trish Adora
  • Pure Rules Match: Rachael Ellering vs. Viva Van
  • Caprice Coleman Chops It Up With ROH Women’s world Champion Athena
  • Lethal twist in action
  • Stori Denali in action

AEW Dynamite/Collision Preview 5/27/2026

Special three-hour AEW Dynamite/Collision special live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • Fallout from AEW Double Or Nothing
  • Adam Copeland and Christian Cage celebrate AEW Tag Team Title win with five-second pose
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal: Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry
  • MJF celebrates his three-time AEW World Championship win
  • Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida
  • Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet (Everyone banned from ringside)
  • Renee Paquette interviews Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis
  • We’ll hear from Kevin Knight