Former TNA Tag Champ Ace Austin Makes AEW Debut On Collision, Now Officially All Elite

AEW has added another big name to its roster. Former TNA standout Ace Austin is now officially All Elite, signing with the company following his in-ring debut against Ricochet on this week’s episode of AEW Collision.

Austin parted ways with TNA back in May after six years with the promotion, as contract talks reportedly broke down without a new deal being reached. During his run, Austin built an impressive résumé, capturing the X-Division Championship three times and holding the TNA World Tag Team Titles. His final appearance for the company came in a loss to Mustafa Ali, putting over the reigning X-Division Champion before hitting the independent circuit.

Fast forward nearly three months later, Austin walked into AEW and was thrown straight into the spotlight against Ricochet. While the newcomer pushed the high-flying veteran to the limit, Ricochet ultimately sealed the win with his Spirit Gun finisher. Post-match, The Gates of Agony hit the ring and joined Ricochet in a beatdown of Austin, setting the tone for what could be the start of a new chapter — and new rivalries — for the former TNA star.

Though not shown on television, reports from the tapings revealed that AEW President Tony Khan made things official right after the match. Khan reportedly asked Austin if he was ready to be “All Elite,” to which Austin replied that while he’s been good for a while, he now feels it’s the right time to become elite.

With his mix of athleticism, charisma, and big-match experience, Ace Austin has all the tools to make an impact in AEW. Now the question is: how soon will he climb the ranks in his new home?

AEW Collision Preview 8/16/2025

AEW Collision Saturday night on TNT and HBO Max.

  • Bryan Keith vs. Juice Robinson
  • Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Blake Christian & Lee Johnson
  • Ace Austin makes AEW debut against Ricochet
  • $100K 4-Way Collision: Julia Hart vs. Kris Statlander vs. Penelope Ford vs. Anna Jay

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/13/2025

AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max from the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

  • Adam Copeland vs. Stokely
  • AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page and MJF to meet Face-To-Face
  • Jon Moxley vs Kevin Knight
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone, Thekla and Skye Blue vs. Alex Windsor, Queen Aminata and Willow Nightingale
  • TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher to meet his Forbidden Door opponent face-to-face

Report: WWE Planning September Pay-Per-View to Clash with AEW All Out

It looks like WWE and AEW might be heading for another direct showdown on the wrestling calendar. According to POST Wrestling, WWE is preparing to run a main roster pay-per-view on Saturday, September 20th — the same date AEW has locked in for its annual All Out event.

While there’s no official word yet on whether WWE will go head-to-head during AEW’s confirmed 8 PM ET start time, the overlap is hard to ignore. WWE’s show is set for Indianapolis, Indiana, with Gainbridge Fieldhouse — a familiar stop for the company — being the frontrunner as the venue.

Meanwhile, All Out will be making a major move of its own this year, running from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena instead of its usual Chicago home base.

The new WWE pay-per-view will also be part of a busy stretch for the company in Indiana. In the weeks surrounding the show, WWE has RAW booked for Evansville on September 22nd, SmackDown on September 19th in Toledo, Ohio, and even a series of appearances by Triple H at TEDSports in Indianapolis from September 9th–11th.

If the timing lines up, fans could be in for one of the most direct WWE vs. AEW event battles since the two promotions began running at the same time on TV in 2019.

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/6/2025

AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH.

  • AEW World Tag Team Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: The Young Bucks vs. Brodido (Brody King & Bandido)
  • MJF vs. Mark Briscoe
  • “8 Belts” Mercedes Moné returns
  • Forbidden Door TBS Title 4-Way Qualifier: Queen Aminata vs. Sky Blue vs. Alex Windsor vs. Billie Starkz

Dustin Rhodes Facing Double Knee Replacement, ROH Championship Future in Question

Veteran wrestler Dustin Rhodes has revealed that he’s heading into double knee replacement surgery later this month. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the 56-year-old star shared that both of his knees are “destroyed” and that he’ll be undergoing the procedure on August 21st.

“They can’t actually fix the damage, so we are getting two knee replacements,” Rhodes wrote. “Damn! #KeepSteppin … By the way… this is NOT THE END.”

Rhodes had recently mentioned needing “major” surgery, and now the specifics are confirmed. According to Fightful, he is expected to be out of action for the remainder of 2025.

The announcement comes just days after Rhodes dropped the TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher on AEW Collision, where Fletcher launched a post-match assault on Rhodes. That loss capped a brief but emotional title run for Rhodes, who captured the belt at AEW All In: Texas in July.

With his surgery now scheduled and recovery time looming, serious questions are being raised about the status of the titles Rhodes still holds in Ring of Honor. He’s currently one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions alongside Sammy Guevara and also holds the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Titles with Ross and Marshall Von Erich.

ROH has yet to comment on what will happen with either set of championships. Their next major event, Supercard of Honor, is set for August 23 at the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia—just two days after Rhodes goes under the knife.

While the road to recovery won’t be short, Rhodes made it clear that this isn’t the end of his in-ring journey. Given his decades-long resilience and enduring fan support, it’s hard to count out The Natural.

Backstage Update on Will Ospreay’s Injury Status: AEW Star Facing Neck Setback

AEW standout Will Ospreay has been noticeably absent from in-ring competition since early July, when he teamed with Swerve Strickland to defeat The Young Bucks at All In. While Ospreay recently addressed his absence on AEW Dynamite, revealing that he’s been dealing with herniated discs in his neck, there’s now more insight into just how serious his condition might be.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Ospreay has been battling neck issues for months. The severity of the injury, however, only became fully apparent to him recently. That delay in diagnosis mirrors a similar situation WWE’s Kevin Owens faced earlier this year—though in Owens’ case, the damage was reportedly worse and may keep him sidelined into 2026.

Ospreay had expressed optimism about returning by Forbidden Door, which is set for Sunday, August 24 at London’s O2 Arena. However, Meltzer is skeptical that timeline is realistic, suggesting a rushed comeback could jeopardize Ospreay’s long-term health and potentially shorten his career.

“Pro wrestling should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint,” Meltzer wrote, emphasizing the importance of patience when it comes to injury recovery.

As of now, Ospreay is not officially booked for Forbidden Door. The show currently features “Timeless” Toni Storm defending the AEW Women’s World Championship against ROH Women’s Champion Athena, the Hurt Syndicate putting their AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line against the winners of an ongoing tag tournament, and a featured bout involving NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi as he nears the twilight of his in-ring career.

Fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for Ospreay, but all signs point to AEW playing the long game with one of their top international stars—a wise move if they want him at 100% for the long haul.

AEW Collision Preview 7/31/2025

AEW Collision airs live again Thursday Night from the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois as part of the promotion’s residency with the venue on TBS and HBO Max.

  • TNT Championship – Chicago Street Fight: Dustin Rhodes (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • AEW World Tag Team Eliminator Tournament Quarterfinal: Gates of Agony vs. Brodido (Brody King & Bandido)
  • AEW World Tag Team Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: FTR vs. Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson)
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Thekla
  • Kris Statlander in action

WWE Dynamite Preview 7/30/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live again from the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois as part of the promotion’s residency with the venue on TBS and HBO Max.

  • AEW World Heavyweight Championship (Everyone is banned from ringside): “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Jon Moxley
  • AEW World Tag Team Eliminator Tournament: The Outrunners vs. The Young Bucks
  • MJF will appear live

Mercedes Moné Adds Two More Titles in Poland, Continues Championship Takeover

Mercedes Moné’s reign of dominance shows no signs of slowing down. On Sunday, the CEO made history once again by capturing two inaugural championships in one night while competing in Poland. Moné walked out of the event as the first-ever Prime Time Women’s Champion and the inaugural BestYa Women’s Champion, defeating local standout Diana Strong in a highly anticipated main event.

According to Fightful, the AEW TBS Champion sealed the deal by delivering her signature backstabber before locking in the Bank Statement, forcing Strong to tap out. The victory adds yet another pair of belts to an already stacked trophy case—and cements Moné’s status as one of the most decorated wrestlers in the world right now.

Here’s a look at her current championship collection:

  • AEW TBS Championship
  • EWA Women’s Championship
  • CMLL World Women’s Championship
  • Queen of Southside Championship
  • RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship
  • 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Winner
  • Prime Time Women’s Championship (inaugural)
  • BestYa Women’s Championship (inaugural)

Moné’s run has seen her hop continents and cross promotional lines, picking up titles in AEW, CMLL, RevPro, and beyond. Since returning to action earlier this year, she’s made it clear her goal isn’t just to dominate AEW—it’s to build a legacy that spans the entire wrestling world.

With her global gold rush showing no signs of slowing, the only question now is: who, if anyone, can stop Mercedes Moné?