Category: AEW

AEW & Jon Moxley Hit With Lawsuit By Former Crew Member Over Alleged Backstage Incident During 2023 Dynamite Tapings

All Elite Wrestling and current AEW World Champion Jon Moxley are at the center of a new legal storm, as a former production crew member has filed a lawsuit accusing both parties of negligence and civil assault. The suit stems from an incident that allegedly took place during the May 10, 2023 episode of AEW Dynamite at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

According to court documents obtained by The Takedown, the plaintiff, Christopher Dispensa—a longtime veteran of wrestling and entertainment production—was working that night as a contracted crew member. His role, as stated in the lawsuit, was to hand Moxley a screwdriver during a match against Kenny Omega, part of an ongoing storyline between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club.

However, Dispensa claims that what was supposed to be a scripted handoff turned violent without warning. The lawsuit alleges that Moxley “violently shoved” him to the ground, resulting in serious injuries that required surgery and continued medical treatment. The alleged moment did not air as a focal point during the broadcast, but it reportedly took place ringside amid the chaos of the bout.

The suit further claims that AEW bears responsibility due to what Dispensa describes as negligent hiring practices, stating the company failed to properly train, monitor, or discipline talent to ensure a safe working environment for non-wrestling personnel. Moxley’s alleged history of “unpredictability” and “lack of control” is also cited as a contributing factor, with Dispensa accusing the former AEW World Champion of acting with “clear intent to harm” or showing “complete disregard” for safety protocols.

Dispensa is pursuing damages related to medical costs, lasting physical injury, emotional trauma, and punitive compensation for the distress caused.

This legal development arrives at a time when AEW is already navigating multiple legal battles. The promotion recently succeeded in moving lawsuits filed by ex-commentator Kevin Kelly and tag team The Tate Twins to arbitration, while former AEW talent Ryan Nemeth dropped his lawsuit voluntarily in April.

As of now, neither AEW nor Jon Moxley has publicly commented on the allegations.

Other Pro Wrestlers to Join The Miz for Amazon Prime’s ‘American Gladiators’ Reboot

The arena is about to get a lot more intense — and a whole lot more jacked — as professional wrestling meets classic ‘90s nostalgia in the upcoming American Gladiators reboot.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, five pro wrestlers have been tapped to star in the new American Gladiators series, which is coming soon to Amazon Prime’s FAST Channels. While a premiere date has yet to be announced, the cast already has fans buzzing thanks to its heavy dose of wrestling star power.

Leading the charge is none other than WWE’s A-Lister himself, The Miz, who will serve as the show’s main host. Joining him from the world of wrestling are:

  • Eric Bugenhagen (formerly known as Rick Boogs in WWE)
  • Wardlow, the AEW powerhouse and former TNT Champion
  • Jessie Godderz, a former TNA Wrestling standout and reality TV alum
  • Kailey Latimer, better known to AEW and NWA fans as Kamille

Rounding out the broadcast team will be 106 & Park alum Rocsi Diaz as sideline reporter and veteran sports broadcaster Chris Rose handling play-by-play duties.

The reboot promises to blend both modern flair and retro thrills, bringing back fan-favorite challenges from the original series — including “Gauntlet,” “Hang Tough,” and of course, the ultimate test of endurance: “The Eliminator.”

While this isn’t the first attempt to revive American Gladiators, this version might just have the right mix of athleticism, entertainment, and star power to stick the landing. With The Miz at the helm — no stranger to reality TV or over-the-top competition — and a roster filled with legit in-ring talent, the show looks poised to bridge generations of fans.

For now, there’s no official launch date, but expect more updates to drop soon as Amazon ramps up promotion. Wrestling fans and ‘90s kids alike might want to start prepping for battle — because American Gladiators is about to suit up for a new era.

Omega vs. Okada Set for AEW All In 2025 in Blockbuster Title Unification Match

AEW just raised the stakes for All In 2025 in a massive way — and fans are already responding.

On this week’s AEW Summer Blockbuster special, it was officially announced that Kenny Omega will go one-on-one with Kazuchika Okada in a high-stakes title unification match, pitting the AEW International Championship against the AEW Continental Championship. The winner will walk out of Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas as the inaugural AEW Unified Champion.

According to Fightful Select, this dream clash has been in the works for nearly a year, with AEW reportedly locking in plans for Omega vs. Okada as far back as December 2024 — before Omega’s recent return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. The match not only reunites two of the most iconic rivals of the last decade, but also repositions AEW’s mid-card titles under a single, more prestigious banner.

While some speculated the new belt might carry the historic “Intercontinental” label, sources say AEW never seriously considered that name. Instead, the AEW Unified Championship is internally viewed as a major title — not just a mid-card placeholder, but a division-defining accolade meant to sit just beneath the World Championship in prominence.

And the announcement is already paying off. AEW reportedly moved over 1,400 additional tickets for All In 2025 in the week following the reveal — a clear sign that the Omega-Okada rivalry still draws major attention.

For fans worried about the fate of the Continental Classic tournament — don’t be. Despite the title merger, AEW is expected to continue the annual tourney in future years, likely with new stakes or perhaps feeding into the Unified title picture.

With two of the best wrestlers of this generation set to collide on one of AEW’s biggest stages, All In 2025 is shaping up to be another can’t-miss moment in wrestling history. The road to All In Texas just got a lot more epic.

AEW Summer Blockbuster Preview 6/11/2025

All Elite Wrestling will air AEW Summer Blockbuster tonight on TBS and MAX at 8pm ET from the Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. This four-hour special features Dynamite and Collision.

  • Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada Contract Signing: All In Texas
  • Will Opsreay vs. Swerve Strickland
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Julia Hart (non-title) – Mercedes Mone’ on commentary
  • Trios Match: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and MJF) vs. Speedball Baily, Komander and Kevin Knight
  • Mistico Returns
  • TayJay (Tay Melo and Anna Jay) vs. Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford
  • Kyle Fletcher vs. Anthony Bowens
  • “The Toxic Spider” Thekla vs. Queen Aminata

Queen Aminata Issues Stern Warning After Scary Fan Encounter

AEW star Queen Aminata is speaking out after a recent incident with a fan crossed the line from admiration to invasion of privacy.

In a powerful message shared on social media, Aminata revealed that during a trip to New York, a fan somehow obtained her hotel information — including her full name and room number — and sent flowers directly to her room. What might have been intended as a kind gesture quickly turned into something unsettling, leaving Aminata feeling deeply unsafe.

“Be a fan. Don’t be a creep,” she wrote. “Imagine how I felt that day and days after… y’all need to stop for real.”

The chilling experience has sparked renewed conversation around the importance of boundaries and safety for wrestlers, especially as fan interactions grow more personal through social media and public appearances.

Unfortunately, Aminata’s story is not an isolated one. The wrestling world has seen a disturbing uptick in cases of stalking and harassment. WWE’s Roxanne Perez recently fell victim to a doxxing attack that exposed her private information online, and Liv Morgan was stalked by a man who went as far as showing up uninvited at her home, ultimately leading to his arrest.

These incidents serve as a sobering reminder: wrestlers may be public figures, but they’re still human beings entitled to privacy and personal safety.

Queen Aminata’s message wasn’t just a call-out — it was a plea for respect, not just for herself, but for all performers who put their bodies and lives on the line to entertain fans.

At WrestlingNewsBlog.com, we stand with Queen Aminata and all wrestlers who face these kinds of violations. Supporting your favorite stars doesn’t mean ignoring their boundaries. Let’s all do better.

WBD Splitting Into Two Companies—What It Could Mean for AEW’s Future

In a major shake-up that could eventually ripple through the wrestling world, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced it will divide its sprawling media empire into two separate publicly traded companies. The move aims to streamline operations and allow each new entity to better focus on its specific goals—but it also creates some intrigue regarding AEW’s long-term media future.

The two divisions will be named Streaming & Studios and Global Networks. The Streaming & Studios side will house major entertainment and content brands like Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max. Meanwhile, Global Networks will take over the reins of WBD’s “premier entertainment, sports, and news television brands,” which include CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and Bleacher Report.

So where does AEW land in all of this?

For now, All Elite Wrestling’s position remains steady. The promotion’s current media rights deal with WBD—inked earlier this year—keeps its flagship programming on both traditional TV and streaming via Max through at least 2028. Dynamite and Collision continue to air weekly while older episodes are gradually being added to Max’s library. AEW has also teased future plans to integrate pay-per-view purchases into the platform.

While the current split doesn’t affect AEW’s immediate situation, the long-term picture just got more complicated. With TNT Sports—AEW’s TV home—falling under Global Networks and Max now aligned with Streaming & Studios, future contract negotiations could require navigating two separate corporate structures. That adds a layer of complexity when AEW eventually sits down to renegotiate media rights or explore expansion.

On the leadership front, WBD CEO David Zaslav will head up Streaming & Studios, while the current Chief Financial Officer will become CEO of Global Networks. Both will remain in their current roles until the split officially goes through. According to Zaslav, this realignment is meant to give each business the focus and agility needed to succeed in an evolving media landscape.

Bottom line: AEW fans don’t need to worry—at least not yet. But as the media landscape shifts and AEW continues to grow, the promotion could be looking at a more intricate playing field when it’s time to map out its future home on TV and streaming.

Tay Melo Shocks AEW with Surprise Return at Fyter Fest, Saves Anna Jay from Brutal Attack

After nearly two years away from AEW programming, Tay Melo made her long-awaited return during Wednesday night’s Fyter Fest special — and she didn’t come empty-handed.

With Anna Jay cornered and seemingly moments away from being thrown off the stage by Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford, Melo’s music hit to a massive reaction. Charging to the ring wielding a kendo stick, she went straight after Ford, swinging with purpose and clearing house before mixing it up with Bayne. Officials quickly stepped in to separate them, but the message was loud and clear: Tay Melo is back, and she’s coming in hot.

This marks Melo’s first AEW appearance since January 2023, when she was still aligned with Jay as part of the Jericho Appreciation Society (JAS). Later that spring, Melo and her husband Sammy Guevara revealed at Double or Nothing that they were expecting their first child. The couple welcomed their daughter, Luna, on November 28, 2023.

While Wednesday marked Melo’s AEW comeback, fans may recall she quietly dipped her toe back into the ring earlier this year. In January, she teamed with STARDOM’s Mina Shirakawa at the New Year Dream event in Japan — a sign that the former Judo standout wasn’t done with wrestling just yet.

Now reunited with Jay, the duo known as TayJay is back in action. The two first began teaming in 2020, making it to the semi-finals of the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup Tournament. Their chemistry led to a run within the JAS faction from 2022 through Melo’s hiatus. Though Melo was absent during the faction’s eventual implosion, her return signals a fresh start — this time clearly on the babyface side of the aisle.

With AEW’s women’s division heating up and TayJay reunited, all eyes will be on what’s next for Melo, Jay, and whoever dares to stand in their way.

AEW Fyter Fest Preview 6/4/2025

All Elite Wrestling will air AEW Fyter Fest tonight on TBS and MAX at 8pm ET from the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO. This four-hour special features Dynamite and Collision.

  • AEW International Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Mascara Dorada vs. Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • FTR vs. Atlantis Jr. & Templario
  • AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa vs. Skye Blue & Julia Hart (Mercedes Mone on commentary)
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Jon Moxley
  • LFI (RUSH, The Beast Mortos & Dralistico) vs. Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey & Komander
  • Thekla vs. TBD
  • We’ll hear from the Hurt Syndicate

Abadon Confirms AEW Departure as Contract Set to Expire in June

After years of carving out a unique niche in All Elite Wrestling, Abadon has confirmed she’ll be parting ways with the company once her contract expires next month.

In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, the “Living Dead Girl” revealed that her AEW deal will not be renewed, marking the end of her run with the promotion. Though she hasn’t appeared on AEW television since December 2023, Abadon remained active throughout the first half of 2024 with multiple appearances on Ring of Honor programming.

Here’s what she had to say:

“My time with AEW is coming to an end. My contract expires in June and I will not be renewed. The emotions I’m currently trying to manage are incredibly difficult and full of conflict as I reflect on my time there.

My goal is to not let this be it for me, because I love wrestling too much to just stop. I’ve put in a lot of hard work that I will now be able to showcase more often.

While my heart is currently broken you can bet that I’m still going to show up for training next week. If you are looking to book me please send an email to bookabadonhere@gmail.com

Thank you.”

Abadon debuted with AEW in 2020 and quickly gained attention for her horror-inspired character work and hard-hitting in-ring style. Though she never captured gold in the company, she was a fixture of the women’s division during AEW’s formative years and brought a unique presentation that stood out from the rest of the roster.

Her statement makes it clear that this isn’t the end of her wrestling journey. Abadon’s commitment to training and her passion for the business suggest that she’s far from finished — and now, with the freedom of free agency ahead, she’ll have more opportunities to showcase her talent on new stages.

Independent promoters, take note: Abadon is officially open for bookings, and she sounds more determined than ever.

Mariah May Removed from AEW Roster, WWE Move Reportedly Imminent

Another chapter appears to be closing in AEW, as “The Glamour” Mariah May has been officially removed from the company’s roster page — a move that almost always signals a wrestler’s exit from the promotion.

Though the update happened without fanfare earlier today, it doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Behind the scenes, whispers of May’s AEW contract nearing its end have been circulating for weeks. The buzz only intensified recently, with many within the industry speculating that she could be WWE-bound once free agency came into play.

Now, it seems those rumors may be turning into reality. According to Fightful Select, a source within WWE has confirmed that the company is expecting May to sign on in the near future.

May’s time in AEW, while relatively short, was impactful. After arriving with plenty of hype thanks to her international pedigree, she quickly made a name for herself in the women’s division, even capturing the AEW Women’s World Championship during her run. Her blend of charisma, in-ring ability, and character work made her a standout on AEW programming and a frequent talking point among fans and analysts alike.

If the reports are accurate and May is indeed heading to WWE, she’ll be the latest in a growing list of talent to make the leap from AEW to the Stamford-based giant. And with the depth of WWE’s women’s roster across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, the possibilities for fresh matchups and storylines are wide open.

No official statement has been made by either AEW or WWE regarding May’s status, but all signs point to a major transition on the horizon for the former champ. Stay tuned — this is one move that could shake things up in a big way.