Category: AEW

The Latest On Sting Possibly Inducting Lex Luger Into WWE Hall Of Fame

The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame will feature a long-overdue induction, as Lex Luger is set to take his place among wrestling’s greatest legends. But when it comes to who will induct him, Luger has made his request clear—he wants Sting.

As reported earlier here on Wrestling News Blog, WWE plans to ask Sting about making the appearance if they haven’t done so already.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Luger personally asked WWE to have his longtime friend and former tag team partner Sting do the honors. WWE reportedly has no issue with the request, but the decision ultimately lies with AEW CEO Tony Khan.

Will AEW Approve Sting’s Appearance?

Historically, AEW has been open to allowing its talent to appear on WWE programming under certain conditions. However, there have been exceptions. When WWE held a D-Generation X reunion, AEW star Billy Gunn (aka “Daddy Ass”) was invited, but Khan reportedly wanted WWE to acknowledge Gunn’s AEW affiliation—something WWE wasn’t willing to do. As a result, Gunn did not appear.

This situation could unfold similarly. While Khan will likely give Sting the freedom to make his own decision, there’s always a chance AEW and WWE will negotiate terms.

Adding another wrinkle to the situation, Luger was not permitted to appear on-screen when Sting wrestled his final match at AEW Revolution 2024. Given that precedent, it’s unclear whether Khan would be willing to let one of AEW’s biggest legends take part in a WWE event without some form of recognition for AEW.

A Legendary Friendship

Luger and Sting’s careers have been intertwined for decades, from their days as tag team champions in WCW to their storied rivalry. Their bond extended beyond the ring, as Sting played a significant role in Luger’s personal redemption story after his career-ending spinal injury in 2007.

Having Sting induct Luger into the WWE Hall of Fame would be a fitting tribute to their history, but whether AEW allows it remains to be seen.

What’s Next?

With WrestleMania season approaching, WWE will likely reach out to AEW (if they haven’t already) to discuss the possibility of Sting appearing at the Hall of Fame ceremony. If AEW agrees, it would mark a rare moment of collaboration between the two companies and a heartfelt moment for wrestling fans.

Will AEW give Sting the green light? Or will WWE need to find another inductor for Luger? Stay tuned.

What Is the Queen of Southside Championship That Mercedes Moné Carries?

Mercedes Moné has been making headlines not just for her dominance in AEW and NJPW, but also for the collection of championship gold she proudly displays. Among her titles is the Queen of Southside Championship, a belt that has left many fans scratching their heads. Unlike the TBS Championship or the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, which are well-known in mainstream wrestling, the Queen of Southside title carries a legacy that some might not be familiar with.

So, what is this championship, and why is Moné still carrying it?

A Championship With Deep Roots

The Queen of Southside Championship originates from Southside Wrestling, a UK-based independent promotion that was active for nearly a decade. In 2019, Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) acquired Southside’s venues and video library when the promotion ceased operations. As part of this transition, Southside’s championship titles were absorbed into RevPro’s lineage.

According to RevPro owner Andy Quildan, the Queen of Southside Championship was officially unified with the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship, meaning that the two titles are technically one and the same.

“I’ve never seen a championship belt cause so much confusion and controversy,” Quildan admitted on the Cultaholic Podcast. “The Queen of Southside belt is a legacy title from Southside Wrestling. When RevPro took over, we inherited all their championships, and they were unified with our own.”

Why Does Mercedes Moné Carry It?

Typically, when championships are unified, only the primary title belt is carried going forward—much like what happened with RevPro’s Tag Team and Heavyweight Championships. However, in this case, Moné has personally chosen to continue carrying the Queen of Southside belt alongside the Undisputed British Women’s Championship.

“It’s similar to boxing,” Quildan explained. “Unified, undisputed champions often carry multiple belts. In wrestling, there’s no commission governing each belt separately, so there’s no risk of the titles being split again. If Mercedes Moné decides she only wants to carry the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship, she can. Or, she can choose to be covered in gold.”

Given Moné’s history of embracing championship legacies, it’s no surprise she’s opted to carry the belt. Whether it’s a tribute to Southside Wrestling’s history or simply a statement of dominance, one thing is clear—Mercedes Moné is making sure that wherever she goes, she brings gold with her.

H/T to BritWrestling 

Saraya Says Her Wrestling Career Is Ending “Very Soon” – Wants to Help AEW Women’s Division

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya has revealed that her time in professional wrestling is nearing its end. Speaking with Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, the ex-WWE Divas Champion shared that she plans to step away from the ring in the near future, but she’s focused on uplifting the AEW women’s division before she leaves.

“I’m letting people beat me, left, right and center. I was on a losing streak, but I just wanted people to get their rub. I want to uplift everybody. I’m not gonna be in wrestling forever. I’m coming to the end of it and it’s very soon. And I don’t wanna go out being like, I need to be on top.”

Saraya’s AEW Run and Focus on Elevating Others

Saraya signed with AEW in the fall of 2022, returning to in-ring competition after a five-year retirement due to a career-threatening neck injury. Since then, she has been vocal about her mission to help grow AEW’s women’s division in any way she can.

During her time in AEW, Saraya worked closely with Toni Storm and Harley Cameron, mentoring them on promos and character work. She recalled how Storm, now one of AEW’s most beloved personalities, initially struggled with confidence on the microphone.

“I just remember when we were in a group, me and Ruby [Soho] were helping [Toni] with promos. She would just have one line and be terrified to do this line. She’d be going over it and over it and over it, while me and Ruby had all these lines.”

Saraya isn’t taking credit for Storm’s rise, but she’s proud to have played a small role in helping her find confidence. She also gave credit to AEW personality RJ City for assisting in the development of Storm’s “Timeless” persona, which has since become one of AEW’s most entertaining gimmicks.

“She’s one of the best promos and characters, I think, of all time. And she’s one of my favorites altogether right now. She is making wrestling fun and exciting, and I love that. It’s just funny seeing her from two years ago… when she was scared to pick up a microphone.”

Saraya also reflected on her time working with Harley Cameron, who has gained popularity as an energetic babyface. Interestingly, Saraya felt the best way to help Cameron was to step away and let her shine on her own.

“People love her. I’m like, ‘I need to take a break. And then maybe, eventually, I can come back and we can go into a story where I’m just trying to hold you back again, and then you get your big pin on me.’ That’s the idea that I wanted. I don’t think we’re doing that now, but I said the best thing I can do is take a step back.”

Saraya’s AEW Status and Future

Saraya last competed in October 2023 and has since been absent from AEW television. Her break has allowed her to focus on her book tour and other outside projects, but she assured fans that she’s ready to return whenever the opportunity arises.

She won the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In: London 2023, defeating Hikaru Shida, but held the title for just 44 days before dropping it back to Shida.

With her AEW contract set to expire in September, the clock is ticking on Saraya’s in-ring future. While she hasn’t given an exact retirement date, her comments make it clear that the end is near.

What’s Next for Saraya?

As she prepares to close the chapter on her wrestling career, Saraya seems content with her contributions to the industry. Whether she remains involved in AEW in a non-wrestling capacity or steps away entirely, her impact—both in WWE and AEW—won’t be forgotten.

Would AEW Possibly Let Sting Induct Lex Luger Into WWE Hall Of Fame

Sting may not be done with WWE appearances just yet, despite officially retiring from in-ring competition and signing a long-term deal with AEW. According to Fightful Select, WWE is reportedly interested in having “The Icon” induct his longtime friend and former rival, Lex Luger, into the Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 41 weekend.

Luger himself has expressed his wish for both Sting and Diamond Dallas Page to be the ones to induct him, citing their deep personal and professional connections. While it remains unclear whether AEW would need to approve Sting’s involvement, it’s worth noting that his current AEW contract is described as similar to a WWE Legends deal—meaning he remains affiliated with the company but is not expected to wrestle.

Sting’s Expanded WrestleMania Weekend Plans

Originally, Sting was scheduled for a limited appearance in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week, but that has reportedly expanded. Whether that has anything to do with a potential Hall of Fame induction role remains unknown, but the timing is certainly interesting.

Sting officially retired at AEW Revolution 2024, ending his legendary career on a high note. While he’s no longer stepping into the ring, his ongoing AEW deal ensures he stays involved with the promotion in some capacity.

A Long-Awaited Hall of Fame Induction for Lex Luger

Luger, one of the most iconic stars of the ’80s and ’90s, will finally take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame on April 18, 2025, alongside Triple H and Michelle McCool. He’s also been working closely with DDP, who has helped him regain strength in hopes of one day walking again.

Another rumored induction for this year’s class is The Natural Disasters—the powerhouse tag team of Earthquake and Typhoon—but WWE has yet to confirm their inclusion.

Will WWE and AEW Work Together?

If WWE follows through with inviting Sting, it would be a rare case of the two promotions cooperating. AEW allowed Ric Flair to appear for WWE’s tribute to Bray Wyatt, so there’s some precedent for flexibility. But whether AEW would approve Sting’s involvement remains to be seen.

Would you like to see Sting induct Luger into the WWE Hall of Fame? Let us know in the comments!

AEW Dynamite Preview 3/19/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and Max from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston, Nebraska just outside of Omaha.

  • AEW World Championship – Street Fight: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Adam Copeland
  • International Championship Eliminator 4-Way Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Mark Davis vs. Ricochet vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
  • Megan Bayne vs. Kris Statlander

A blizzard is expected to hit the Omaha, Nebraska area today, coinciding with the AEW Dynamite TV tapings.

According to local reports, rain will transition to snow during the morning commute, with wind gusts reaching 40-50 MPH.

Blizzard conditions will persist throughout the day, with snow and wind gusts up to 60 MPH, potentially affecting both the morning and evening commutes. Local schools have already been shut down.

AEW President Tony Khan has taken to X to announce that all currently advertised AEW talent scheduled for this week’s episode of Dynamite are currently in Omaha.

AEW Collision Preview 3/15/2025

AEW Collision tonight live on TNT and Max from the The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada

  • AEW International Title Eliminator Tournament Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Ricochet
  • AEW International Title Eliminator Tournament Match: Mark Briscoe vs. Mark Davis
  • Undisputed Kingdom (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) vs. FTR
  • Megan Bayne vs. Thunder Rosa

AEW’s Killswitch (FKA Luchasaurus) Reportedly Backstage at Revolution, Potential Plans Unclear

It’s been months since AEW fans last saw Killswitch, formerly known as Luchasaurus, in action. The powerhouse of The Patriarchy hasn’t competed since AEW All In: London 2024, where he played a pivotal role in Christian Cage’s victory during the Casino Gauntlet Match. However, his absence from AEW programming wasn’t just a creative decision—it stemmed from a serious medical emergency related to a compromised immune system and sleep apnea.

Now, new reports suggest that Killswitch may be nearing a return. According to Fightful Select, the former TNT Champion was backstage at AEW Revolution last weekend and was reportedly available to be used in some capacity. The report also mentioned speculation of an “alternate ending” for the event, though no concrete details have emerged.

While it remains unclear whether Killswitch has been medically cleared to wrestle, discussions were reportedly held regarding his potential involvement in the heated segment between Christian Cage, Adam Copeland, and Jon Moxley. However, when Fightful inquired further about his role in the rumored “alternate ending,” sources went quiet.

Killswitch’s absence has been notable, especially given his role as Christian Cage’s loyal enforcer in The Patriarchy. If he is indeed ready to return, his reintroduction could shake up AEW’s landscape, particularly in the ongoing rivalry between Cage, Copeland, and Moxley. For now, fans will have to wait and see when—and how—he makes his presence felt once again.

Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge about Killswitch’s status in AEW.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey Officially Arrives in AEW with Hard-Fought Victory

After months of speculation, former TNA X-Division Champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey has officially landed in All Elite Wrestling. Bailey made his highly anticipated debut on the March 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, entering the AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament as the mystery wildcard competitor.

Bailey’s move to AEW had been rumored since his TNA contract expired in late 2024, but fans were left guessing when he would actually make his first appearance. The wait ended after AEW teased his arrival through a vignette on AEW Collision in February, and once a wildcard spot was announced for the tournament, speculation ran wild that the high-flying Canadian would be the one to fill it.

A Tough First Challenge

Bailey’s AEW debut was anything but easy, as he faced off against the intimidating Beast Mortos. Right from the start, Mortos showed little interest in reciprocating Bailey’s show of respect, opting instead to overpower his smaller opponent. However, Bailey wasted no time reminding the AEW audience why he’s one of the most dynamic strikers in the game, unleashing a flurry of vicious kicks.

Despite Bailey’s early offense, Mortos used his size advantage to dominate the action on the outside. But “Speedball” wouldn’t stay down for long. Fighting back with his signature combination of kicks, chops, and an aerial assault, Bailey turned the tide, launching himself over the top rope with a breathtaking dive as the match headed into the commercial break.

Bailey Secures the Win in Spectacular Fashion

Mortos continued to showcase his power, gaining the upper hand after Bailey was crotched on the top rope. The Beast followed up with a devastating corkscrew tope, a pop-up Samoan Drop, and an avalanche press slam, nearly putting Bailey away.

However, the resilient newcomer refused to stay down. After a tense exchange of roll-ups, Bailey countered Mortos’ offense, delivering a moonsault knee drop before connecting with a perfectly placed crescent kick to the head to score the pinfall victory.

What’s Next for “Speedball”?

With this impressive win, Bailey advances to the four-way final of the AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament on March 19. He’ll be joined by the winner of Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero, which took place later that night. The ultimate goal? A shot at Kenny Omega for the AEW International Championship at AEW Dynasty on April 6—a match Omega himself has said he wants to be against the best AEW has to offer.

Bailey has already proven he belongs in AEW. But can “Speedball” fight his way to a title shot and make an even bigger impact? The road to Dynasty just got a lot more interesting.

AEW Dynamite Preview 3/12/2025

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will take place from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and air live on TBS and Max, beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

  • Fallout from AEW Revolution
  • AEW International Title Eliminator Tournament Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero
  • AEW International Title Eliminator Tournament Match: The Beast Mortos vs. A Mystery Wildcard Opponent
  • Also scheduled for tonight are appearances by MJF and newly crowned International Champion Kenny Omega.

Upcoming AEW Collision Gets Split into Two Nights Due to NCAA Tournament

AEW is shaking up its schedule later this month, as Collision will be divided into two separate one-hour episodes instead of its usual two-hour Saturday night slot. This adjustment is being made to accommodate TNT’s coverage of the NCAA March Madness tournament.

Collision’s Temporary Schedule Change

Instead of airing in its usual Saturday primetime slot on March 23, Collision will air in two parts:

  • Saturday, March 23 – 11 PM EST
  • Sunday, March 24 – 11 PM EST

Both episodes will air after NCAA tournament games, giving AEW the potential benefit of a strong lead-in audience.

Why the Change?

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained the reasoning behind AEW’s decision. Given how important March Madness is to TNT, the network could have opted to preempt Collision entirely. Instead, AEW is testing out a split schedule, taping both episodes in advance on March 20 in Omaha.

Meltzer noted that the plan allows AEW to avoid a late-night second hour on Saturday, which could see a drop in viewership. By spreading the content across two nights, the company hopes to maximize its audience—at least for the Saturday episode. However, Sunday presents more uncertainty since AEW has struggled with non-traditional time slots in the past.

Will This Experiment Pay Off?

AEW has faced challenges when shifting Collision’s time slot, as seen with previous preemptions. However, with the NCAA tournament drawing in millions of viewers, the post-game placement could give AEW a much-needed ratings boost. Whether this experiment succeeds remains to be seen, but it will be an interesting test for Collision’s viewership outside of its usual schedule.

What do you think of this strategy? Will AEW benefit from the NCAA tournament lead-in, or will the Sunday slot struggle? Let us know in the comments!