Category: AEW

Rhino Makes Surprise AEW Debut in Hometown, Faces Nick Wayne for ROH TV Title

AEW fans were treated to a blast from the past on this week’s Dynamite, as former WWE and ECW star Rhino made a surprise debut — and in his hometown of Detroit, no less. The veteran powerhouse answered an open challenge for the Ring of Honor World Television Championship, setting up an unexpected showdown with rising star Nick Wayne.

The match was hyped with a cryptic tease that Wayne would face “someone from Christian Cage’s past,” adding fuel to the ongoing drama within the Patriarchy. The mystery opponent turned out to be none other than Rhino, a man whose early career was closely linked with Cage’s. Commentary was quick to remind fans that the two were once “inseparable,” making Rhino’s appearance even more compelling given Cage’s current on-screen persona.

Rhino brought his trademark intensity to the match, initially brushing off Wayne’s offense with brute strength. But the young champion showed resilience, eventually chopping the bigger man down. Outside interference nearly swung the tide — Kip Sabian jumped on the apron to distract the referee while Cage tried to trip Rhino. However, the veteran wasn’t fooled and held his own for a bit longer.

Ultimately, Wayne capitalized on the chaos and landed the Killswitch — a move notably tied to Cage himself — to retain the title.

Post-match, the Patriarchy entered the ring to celebrate, but in true Christian Cage fashion, the celebration came with a dose of passive aggression. Cage went to present Wayne with the championship belt, only to let it fall deliberately to the mat instead of placing it around Wayne’s waist — a subtle but pointed gesture that continues to build the tension in their uneasy alliance.

This unexpected moment not only brought Rhino into the AEW fold for the first time but also added another layer of intrigue to the slow-burn storyline between Christian Cage and Nick Wayne.

Could this be the beginning of a longer run for Rhino in AEW or just a one-night pop for the hometown crowd? Time will tell.

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/7/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and Max, at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.

  • AEW Women’s World Title Eliminator Four-Way Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford vs. Anna Jay
  • The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) and Ricochet vs. Swerve Strickland, Mike Bailey and Mark Briscoe
  • AEW Continental Title Eliminator Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kevin Knight
  • Jamie Hayter sit-down interview with Renee Paquette
  • We will hear from Hangman Adam Page and Will Ospreay
  • Samoa Joe vs. Claudio Castagnoli

AEW/ROH Releases The Righteous’ Dutch and Vincent Amid Roster Shakeup

As WWE continues to make waves with its recent round of talent cuts, AEW has followed suit with a few notable departures of its own. The latest names to exit Tony Khan’s roster are Dutch and Vincent of The Righteous, a dark and enigmatic tag team best known for their work in Ring of Honor (ROH).

According to PWInsider, Dutch and Vincent were quietly released last week. While they made their initial AEW debut at Supercard of Honor 2023, the pair were better known to longtime fans of the Sinclair-era ROH, where they previously held the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships. Since AEW’s acquisition of ROH, The Righteous primarily competed on ROH on Honor Club, with occasional appearances on AEW Collision.

Their final match under the AEW/ROH umbrella came just last month, teaming with Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese to secure a win in eight-man tag action. Interestingly, that appearance also marked their first match in ROH since their December defeat in a brutal Double Bullrope match at Final Battle against Sammy Guevara and Dustin Rhodes.

The Righteous aren’t the only ones departing AEW recently. EJ Nduka, who also worked ROH dates, confirmed his exit and appeared to take a subtle swipe at AEW leadership on the way out. Earlier in the year, bigger names like Malakai Black, Miro, Rey Fenix, and Ricky Starks also parted ways with the company, all eventually landing in WWE.

Reports from March suggest more exits may be on the horizon as contracts expire. Wrestlers like Zak Knight, Nick Comoroto, and Abadon are all rumored to be on shaky ground, and Saraya has already left following the conclusion of her deal.

As AEW continues to reshape its roster, it’s clear the promotion is entering a transitional phase—one that could have major implications across both AEW and ROH brands moving forward.

Darby Allin Sets Kickflip World Record During Mount Everest Climb

AEW’s resident daredevil Darby Allin has once again pushed the limits—this time, not in a wrestling ring, but on the slopes of Mount Everest.

Currently in the midst of a grueling climb up the world’s tallest mountain, Darby has already made history by landing a kickflip at a staggering 20,958 feet above sea level. The feat sets a world record for the highest elevation at which the move has ever been performed. Allin shared the moment on Instagram, showcasing both his signature skateboard and his unrelenting thirst for the extreme.

The climb began on April 8, with Darby joining an expedition team guided by Adventure Consultants. According to their official site, the group took a rest day at Everest Base Camp on May 3—no small feat, considering the base camp itself sits over 17,000 feet high.

While it’s unclear whether Darby will ultimately reach the summit, his commitment to pushing boundaries is already on full display. In typical Allin fashion, even an Everest expedition isn’t just about the destination—it’s about making a statement.

Known for his high-risk style in AEW, Darby has never shied away from danger. Whether diving off ladders or snowboarding through promos, the former TNT Champion blends athleticism with sheer fearlessness—and now, he’s taken that mindset to the roof of the world.

Stay tuned as Darby’s Everest journey continues. If he does make it to the summit, don’t be surprised if he finds a way to make history there, too.

You can watch Darby’s Instagram post below:

AEW Collision Preview 5/3/2025

AEW Collision live tonight on TBS and Max at 8pm ET. from the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

  • AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Lady Frost
  • Megan Bayne vs. Harley Cameron
  • Brody King vs. Josh Alexander

Former STARDOM Star Likely Headed To AEW

After a standout stint in Japan, Thekla is officially making her way to the United States—and she’s not coming without buzz. The former STARDOM star recently wrapped up her run with the promotion, and according to Fightful Select, she’s had her sights set on relocating to the U.S. for quite some time.

Thekla’s next move hasn’t been made public yet, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from heating up. Both AEW and WWE have reportedly been keeping tabs on her, with WWE sources noting they’ve been watching her closely. Meanwhile, AEW’s interest has reportedly grown since late last year, and insiders now believe she’s likely headed their way.

It’s not just the major leagues either—independent promotions are also in the mix, hoping to capitalize on Thekla’s unique in-ring style and international experience. For now, the mystery remains, but it’s clear that wherever Thekla lands, she won’t be short on opportunities.

Who Is Thekla?
Known as the “Toxic Spider,” Thekla is an Austrian-born wrestler who made a name for herself in Japan, particularly with World Wonder Ring STARDOM. Blending technical prowess with a hard-hitting, unorthodox style, she became a standout in the Donna del Mondo faction and developed a strong fanbase thanks to her charisma and in-ring intensity. Fluent in multiple languages and experienced across the European, Japanese, and now potentially American scenes, Thekla brings an international flair that makes her a unique asset in today’s wrestling landscape.

AEW Dynamite Preview 4/30/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and Max from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

  • All Star 8-Man Tag Team Match: Kenny Omega, Mike Bailey, Mark Briscoe, and Kevin Knight vs. Kazuchika Okada, Ricochet and The Young Bucks
  • AEW Women’s World Title Eliminator: “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Miyu Yamashita
  • Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Match: Hangman Adam Page vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Hurt Syndicate and MJF to appear

AEW Collision Preview 4/26/2025

AEW presents the AEW Collision Playoff Palooza show tonight. Tonight’s show will air immediately following the NBA Playoffs on TNT.

  • ROH World Championship Match Bandido vs. Dralistico
  • Tornado Tag Team Match: Top Flight vs. CRU
  • AEW Women’s Championship Eliminator Match: Toni Storm vs. Queen Aminata
  • FTR vs. Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong)
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Blake Christian
  • Rush vs. AR Fox
  • Anna Jay in action
  • Best Wrestler Alive Max Caster Open Challenge

AEW Dynamite Preview 4/23/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight coast-to-coast on TBS and live on Max, from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  • Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal: Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter
  • Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) vs. ‘Speedball Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight
  • FTR to return from suspension
  • Master P will be attendance

Darby Allin Reaches Everest Base Camp, Begins Ascent Toward the Summit

After months of preparation and a dream years in the making, AEW’s Darby Allin has officially reached the base of the world’s tallest mountain. The former TNT Champion, known for his fearless attitude inside the ring, is now bringing that same intensity to one of the most physically grueling challenges on Earth—climbing Mount Everest.

Allin kicked off his Everest journey earlier this month, arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal, alongside his mother and brother in early April. From there, he quickly began the trek toward Everest Base Camp, and updates throughout the month pointed to strong progress and high spirits. On April 17, the Adventure Consultants—an elite expedition guiding company—confirmed that Allin was acclimating well and making steady strides with his team.

Fast forward to April 20, and Allin officially reached Everest Base Camp, according to a now-removed update from Adventure Consultants’ website. Expedition leader Ang Dorjee Sherpa noted that the group would soon begin the official climb following the traditional Puja ceremony, a spiritual ritual held before any Everest ascent to ask for protection and good fortune.

While getting to Base Camp is a major milestone, the real challenge is just beginning. Climbing Mount Everest is a weeks-long test of endurance, even for seasoned alpinists. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer previously reported that a full Everest expedition typically takes close to two months. Considering Allin is relatively new to high-altitude mountaineering, his climb may stretch even longer—assuming conditions allow him to make it all the way to the top.

It’s a massive undertaking, and success is far from guaranteed. Statistics show that roughly a third of Everest hopefuls don’t make it to the summit, often forced to turn back due to weather, altitude sickness, or sheer physical exhaustion.

Still, if there’s one thing fans have learned about Darby Allin over the years, it’s that he’s not afraid to risk it all. Whether diving off ladders in front of thousands or scaling the tallest peak in the world, Allin remains determined to push himself far beyond what most would ever dare.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow Darby’s high-stakes adventure—because this climb could be his most extreme challenge yet.