Category: AEW

Bobby Lashley Destroys Swerve Strickland In AEW Debut Following Dynamite Main Event

The Hurt Syndicate may be near completion, as Bobby Lashley made his AEW debut following the main event of “AEW Dynamite” Wednesday night, after reports of his signing emerged back when Shelton Benjamin officially became “All Elite.” The main event saw former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland take on Benjamin, with MVP at ringside, who relentlessly taunted Prince Nana throughout the bout. The match was made following Strickland’s decision to stay with his manager rather than join MVP’s new stable.

The match was Strickland’s first following his brutal loss against “Hangman” Adam Page in an unsanctioned steel cage match at All Out. Strickland started off the match hot, but Benjamin quickly took control for a good portion of the bout. When Strickland was able to battle back, he hit the House Call and went to the top rope, but hit a 450 Splash instead of a Swerve Stomp. Benjamin kicked out and quickly got Strickland into a waist lock. Strickland hit a desperation cutter and took them both out. Strickland got back to the top, but Benjamin followed, and Strickland countered with a Liger Bomb. He followed up with the Swerve Stomp to get the victory.

The camera then panned to MVP at ringside, who made a call while staring down Strickland in the ring. The lights went out quickly, then Lashley’s music hit. He got in the ring and got face-to-face with Strickland, and Benjamin distracted Strickland, taking him out and both men beat up the former champion. MVP choked out Nana with his cane, and Lashley got Strickland in a full nelson hold and made him pass out. Referees and security came running down to the ring, and MVP got on the microphone to ask the fans to guess “who’s back in business” as the show ended.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1851809970091618743
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1851987494679572932

AEW Fright Night Dynamite Preview 10/30/2024

Tonight is AEW Fright Night Dynamite, live on TBS from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Swerve Strickland vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Private Party. If Private Party loses, they must split up.
  • Adam Cole vs. Buddy Matthews
  • Kamille vs. Kris Statlander
  • Orange Cassidy to appear
  • We’ll hear from Hangman Page

AEW’s Kenny Omega Announced For Upcoming NJPW Appearance

It has now been nearly a year since Kenny Omega was forced to put his wrestling career on hold thanks to a bout of diverticulitis so severe that there were concerns for Omega’s life. And save for an appearance on “AEW Dynamite” in May, where he was brutally assaulted by The Elite’s Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, and Jack Perry, Omega has largely focused on his recovery from surgery. There have been signs, however, that a return could be on the horizon, with Omega being spotted training with long-time tag partner Kota Ibushi, and sitting down with old New Japan rival Hiroshi Tanahashi.

But the biggest sign Omega may be getting set for an in-ring return may have just been revealed by New Japan on Tuesday evening. The promotion announced on their website that Omega will be making a special appearance at NJPW Power Struggle, scheduled to be held on November 4 in Osaka. In their announcement, New Japan pondered what would come from Omega’s special appearance, his first in New Japan since New Year’s Dash 2023, teasing it could be related to Omega’s reunion with Tanahashi earlier this month.

During said reunion, both Omega and Tanahashi expressed interest in teaming together for the first time, with Omega naming the Young Bucks as potential opponents as he looks to avenge their attack on him. Since then, there’s been speculation that the duo’s match against the Bucks could take place at Wrestle Dynasty, a joint show between AEW, CMLL, and New Japan set for January 5 in the Tokyo Dome, Whether Omega’s Power Struggle appearance will hint towards that, or signal a return to the ring sooner than anticipated, remains to be seen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 10/25/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • Ricochet vs. Nick Wayne
  • Anna Jay vs. Leila Grey
  • BEEF vs. The Beast Mortos
  • Matt Taven & Mike Bennett vs. Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty vs. Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona

Maria Kanellis Undergoes Surgery On Her Adrenal Gland, Latest On Her Condition

Maria Kanellis is feeling well after undergoing surgery on her adrenal gland.

Taking to Twitter, Mike Bennett announced that his wife underwent surgery on Wednesday and will be staying overnight at the hospital.

Kanellis underwent surgery for a mass that was found on her gland earlier this year.

Bennett wrote,

β€œMaria’s surgery went well. She is staying overnight at the hospital for observation and should be released tomorrow. My wife is a badass.

Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We love y’all so very much.”

https://twitter.com/RealMikeBennett/status/1849637402098225395

Source: eWn

Backstage Report On Chris Jericho’s ROH Title Win On AEW Dynamite

Chris Jericho captured the Ring of Honor World Championship for the second time during Wednesday night’s “AEW Dynamite,” defeating Mark Briscoe in a ladder match with some help from The Learning Tree. Discussing the match on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer offered a possible explanation for Jericho’s title victory.

“I think that if they are working on an ROH television deal, then it probably is beneficial for them to be champion, to try and close that deal,” Meltzer said.

The writer then confirmed that Tony Khan is in the process of trying to secure a TV deal for the brand. AEW recently re-upped with Warner Bros Discovery, ensuring “Dynamite” and “AEW Collision” remain on TNT/TBS as well as heading to streaming platform Max. However, ROH was not included in that agreement.

Meltzer praised the Jericho-Briscoe match from last night, marveling at Briscoe’s mobility after a career full of death-defying stunts. Both Meltzer and co-host Bryan Alvarez stated that it was possible that Khan would run another rematch between Jericho and Briscoe and ROH Final Battle later this year, which would allow Briscoe to compete in the Continental Classic and take some losses before winning the title back from Jericho.

This is Jericho’s second time as champion, with his last reign also coinciding with rumors that Khan was seeking a media rights deal for ROH. However, no outside agreement materialized, and ROH has since been relegated to its own online streaming platform and appearances on AEW programming.

Following the win against Briscoe, Jericho’s next challenger stepped forward β€” Tomohiro Ishii of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Jericho successfully defended the ROH World Championship against Ishii during his initial reign in November 2022. Though Ishii has previously held the ROH Television Championship, he has not yet held the brand’s world title.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Wrestling Observer Radio

AEW Dynamite 10/23/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Maverik Center in West Valley City Utah, just outside of Salt Lake City.

  • ROH World Championship – Ladder War: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Chris Jericho
  • House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King and Buddy Matthews) in trios action
  • ROH World Tag Team Champion Sammy Guevara vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • The Elite’s Jack Perry and The Young Bucks vs. Daniel Garcia & Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen)
  • Kyle Fletcher will reveal why he turned on Will Ospreay at WrestleDream
  • HOOK β€œwill handle” person who attacked his father Taz
  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley to appear
  • Kamille vs. Queen Aminata

Adam Cole Required Donor Bone For Ankle Surgery

Adam Cole sustained a devastating ankle injury at AEW Grand Slam 2023, developing fractures in three separate areas.

Previously unknown details about Cole’s injury have now come to light, revealing that the AEW star required a bone from another person during surgery after his ankle completely shattered.

During a recent appearance on β€œThe Takedown on SI” podcast, Cole, who recently confirmed his breakup with Britt Baker, mentioned that it wasn’t until after his first surgery that he learned just how extensive the damage truly was. What was expected to be a one-hour operation ended up taking three times longer.

Cole discovered that his ankle was in much worse shape than anticipated and would need an additional surgery only a week later. This meant he would require not only more screws in his ankle but also a bone from a donor because part of his ankle had entirely disintegrated.

During the second surgery, the doctors chose to use cadaver bone rather than a metal plate, which can limit mobility.

Cole expressed his appreciation to the donor and their family, acknowledging that this choice is likely better for his rehabilitation. He noted that he can feel a noticeable difference between his left ankle, which received the donor bone, and his right one, but he understands that this is part of the recovery journey.

Cole said, β€œThe first piece of news that I heard was, your ankle is way worse than we anticipated. You have to get another surgery in seven days. So, not only did I have to get double the amount of screws in my ankle, but also, I had to get someone else’s bone put into my ankle because the bone piece within my ankle just completely disintegrated. Incredibly thankful to [the donor] and the family,” Cole said. β€œIt’s certainly a better option. I definitely notice a difference in my left ankle as opposed to my right one, but I think that comes with the territory.”

At WrestleDream 2024, Cole returned to AEW television and targeted MJF.

Sting Signs New Multi-Year Contract With AEW, Reveals What He’s Doing Now

Sting has signed a new multi-year contract with All Elite Wrestling.

The wrestling icon, who retired from in-ring competition at AEW Revolution earlier this year, recently spoke with β€œKayfabe Friends” at the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion to announce what his AEW future holds. He said,

β€œI signed a multi-year deal with AEW, obviously not to wrestle anymore. But it’s like a licensing deal.”

He added, β€A legends deal if you want to call it that. So I’ll do appearances with them on and off, depending on what they want and all. I’ve done real estate, I did real estate before I ever was a pro wrestler, so I’ve always loved real estate. A lot of people say, β€˜Oh, are you a real estate agent?’ No, I’m not an agent. I’m an investor. I was flipping houses before before flipping houses was a term. So I made money in real estate before wrestling, so I’m doing that again, and I love it.”

Source: eWn

AEW’s Ricochet Surprises Konosuke Takeshita At MLPW Forged In Excellence, Results From Both Nights

Former TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore got his next project off the ground this past weekend, relaunching Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling to hold a pair of shows in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The two events included talent from across the wrestling world, including AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defending his title against TNA’s Josh Alexander. Following Takeshita’s victory, he and Don Callis began beating down Alexander when they were interrupted by a surprising face β€” AEW star Ricochet.

As soon as the music hit, Callis made his escape as Ricochet entered the ring and launched Takeshita to the outside. He then dove onto the International Champion before hopping back into the ring and grabbing hold of the title, teasing that he isn’t finished with Takeshita.

Earlier this month, both Ricochet and Takeshita took part in a three-way match at AEW WrestleDream with the International Championship on the line, with former champion Will Ospreay as the third man. Takeshita pinned Ricochet to win the match, but it seems Ricochet is now looking for a one-on-one shot at the title. The angle between the two AEW stars closed the show, possibly indicating that the match will take place in MLPW rather than AEW.

In addition to Takeshita, Ricochet, and Alexander, MLPW’s return shows featured performers such as Athena, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, QT Marshall, Bully Ray, and many more. Former WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo could also be heard calling the event alongside Callis, marking his return to the world of pro wrestling after more than three years away.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Source for Results: Fightful

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged In Excellence Night 1 (10/19/24) Results.

* Josh Alexander, Stu Grayson & El Phantasmo def. Trevor Lee, Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne

– Mike Bailey is interviewed backstage and talks about how excited he is to face off with Takeshita. He says the experience is nerve-racking, but so is leaving your home country to try and find stardom worldwide. That will be the main event tonight.

– Bret Hart narrates a video package about the past and future of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.

– Ahead of the next match, QT Marshall cut a promo about St. Clair College giving an Alumni of Distinction award to Bhupinder Gujjar, his opponent for the evening.

* QT Marshall (with Harley Cameron) def. Bhupinder Gujjar

– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Kylie Rae.

* Kylie Rae def. Laynie Luck, Taylor Rising, and Aurora Teves

– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Josh Alexander. He says he’s honored to be the first wrestler to score a pinfall in the new era of MLP, but now he will watch the match between Mike Bailey and Konosuke Takeshita. He will challenge Konosuke Takeshita for the International Championship tomorrow night.

* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Jet Setters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) (c) def. Rogue Squadron (Sheldon Jean & Rohit Raju) vs. El Reverso & Aiden Prince vs. Brett Banks & Johnny Swinger

* PWA Champion’s Grail: Rohan Raja def. Jake Something

– After the match, Raja was interviewed by McKenzie Mitchell and declared that he was “Ravenous” and wanted to defend the gold globally.

– Bully Ray cut a promo on Raj Dhesi. He called him a “washed-up former champion” and said that he would never ever put him through a table.

* Tables Match: Bully Ray def. Raj Dhesi

– The match ended after Raj had chokeslammed Bully through a table, but the referee was knocked out. This led to QT Marshall coming down and knocking out Raj with a chain and dragging him through the broken table before the referee woke up, so it looked like Raj had gone through the table, so Bully scored the victory without actually doing what he needed to do to score the victory. Bhupinder Gujjar stopped a post-match attack on Raj, setting up a tag team match for tomorrow night.

* Gisele Shaw def. Miyu Yamashita

* AEW International Championship Eliminator Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) def. Mike Bailey

– After the match, Josh Alexander came down to confront Takeshita, and they stared each other down for the show’s final moments.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Forged In Excellence Night 2 (10/20/24) Results.

* Jet Setters (KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight) & Aiden Prince def. Rocky Romero, Rohit Raju & Rohan Raja

* QPW Qatar Championship Match: El Reverso def. Classy Ali (c)

– Rohan Raja cut a promo backstage, incensed that he lost it in The Opening match without losing the match. He said he would defend his PWA Champion’s Grail in Oceanic Pro Wrestling in December.

– Footage aired of Harley Cameron and Laynie Luck attacking Kylie Rae after last night’s show.

* Kylie Rae & Miyu Yamashita def. Laynie Luck & Harley Cameron

* “Psycho” Mike Rollins def. Trevor Lee, Jake Something, Stu Grayson, Alex Zayne, and Sheldon Jean

* “Speedball” Mike Bailey def. El Phantasmo

– Harley Cameron completely hijacked an interview with Bully Ray and QT Marshall, where she repeated a bunch of Dudley Boyz catchphrases in a funny moment.

* Raj Dhesi & Bhupinder Gujjar def. Bully Ray & QT Marshall (w/ Harley Cameron)

– Darren McCarty appeared in the audience and attacked Bully Ray during the match, setting the scene for the end, which came when Gujjar scored with his Gargoyle Spear on QT Marshall.

* ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) def. Gisele Shaw

* AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) def. Josh Alexander

– Post-Match: Don Callis bragged about Takeshita’s win. He said nobody would be able to stop him. They continued to attack Josh Alexander, and Ricochet came down to save the day. Ricochet and Josh Alexander shook hands as the show came to a close.