Category: AEW

Backstage Update On AEW Star MJF Taking Time Off To Make Happy Gilmore 2

Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s acting career was taken to new heights recently as he stepped away from All Elite Wrestling to be a part of the cast of “Happy Gilmore 2,” which is set to be released next year. However, that time away from wrestling seems to be ending soon, as Fightful Select is reporting that MJF has wrapped his scenes and is expected to return to AEW in the near future, though the exact date has yet to be determined. MJF was initially written off of TV at All Out after his victory over Daniel Garcia, who dropped MJF on his neck with a piledriver from the middle rope. Garcia supposedly lost the match as a result of his hesitancy to sign a new deal with AEW, but he has since made his return.

In addition to his role in “Happy Gilmore 2,” Fightful was also told MJF’s next movie has been confirmed, as he has secured a role in the upcoming film “Stranglehold.” The movie will be directed by Clark Duke who is best known for staring in the final season of “The Office,” while the likes of Justin Long, Ron Pearlman, and Jake Lacy, who also joined the cast of “The Office” at the same time as Duke. Friedman is the latest in a long line of wrestlers to make the jump to Hollywood, as he has landed some noteworthy roles in the past few years. He made his acting debut in 2023’s “The Iron Claw” playing Lance Von Erich in the film that documented the Von Erich family story before voicing Killer Croc in the direct-to-video animated film “Justice League X RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen, Part Two.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW’s Adam Copeland Assisting FEMA Workers In NC, Cash Wheeler Starts Crowdfund For Hurricane Relief In Hometown Near Asheville, NC

As the Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Milton, those in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee are still cleaning up after Hurricane Helene ravaged the area, hitting towns like Asheville, NC unprecedentedly hard. On the pre-WrestleDream media call, AEW President Tony Khan says that his booking and travel woes caused by the hurricane were put in stark perspective by a conversation with AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer Adam Copeland.

“I talked to [Adam Copeland]…and I was dealing with a bit of a scramble with those [booking] issues and Adam called me, backstage at ‘Collision’ and he was with the FEMA workers and he was with them and he was helping them and they were digging [dead] bodies out,” Khan said. “Here I am, six cups of coffee and pulling my hair out because people’s flights got canceled.”

Khan said the conversation inspired him to think a little clearer, as realizing how small his problems were in comparison was all he needed to inspire a little creative problem-solving.

Copeland’s own family lives in the area, and his wife, WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix, updated fans on the condition of the family following the storm. The couple’s daughter suffered an infection in the days after the hurricane but were able to navigate the flooded streets to get her medical attention.

Khan has given generously to the town of Asheville, home of AEW’s Cash Wheeler. Wheeler has led relief efforts within the wrestling world, which has seen numerous wrestlers donate to the cause.

Wheeler’s GoFundMe for Hurricane Helene victims has raised over $70,000 as of this writing with 534 donors. Former AEW World Champion MJF donated $1,000 to the campaign and Tony Khan donated $10,000.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Commentator Taz Underwent Successful Knee Replacement Surgery

During AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday, Tony Schiavone announced that color commentator Taz underwent successful total knee replacement surgery. Taz also took to X, noting that the surgery went well.

https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/1843780727965659418

Daniel Garcia Is Staying With AEW

Daniel Garcia has made his return to All Elite Wrestling.

On Tuesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Garcia addressed the speculation over his future in AEW.

While Garcia revealed that he owed the fans an explanation for being absent and teased leaving the promotion, he said that he’d realized he can do what he wants because he’s one of the best in the world. With that, he announced that he’d be saying with AEW moving forward.

AEW’s Willow Nightingale To Be First Woman Inducted Into New York Indie Hall Of Fame

There’s no doubt that Willow Nightingale has had a 2024 to remember. The AEW star has held both the AEW TBS and CMLL World Women’s Championships, made it to the finals of the Owen Hart Cup for the second year in a row, was Mercedes Mone’s first opponent in AEW at Double or Nothing, and had one of the more memorable hardcore matches of the year against friend turned foe Kris Statlander at All Out, among other accolades. Now Nightingale is adding another accomplishment, one a little closer to home in Long Island, New York.

Independent wrestling promotion New York Wrestling Connection has announced that Nightingale will be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame on October 19. The induction will take place during NYWC’s Homecoming of Madness event, taking place at the promotion’s home arena, the NYWC Sportatorium.

“Being recognized in this way by the place I learned my fundamentals, got my start, and grew into the Willow I am today is such an honor,” Nightingale said on X. “Thank you NYWC Wrestling. Can’t wait for October 19th.”

Nightingale joins a who’s who of notable names in the NYWC Hall of Fame, including AEW co-workers Jerry Lynn, Tony Nese, Trent Berreta, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver. It’s also a historic occasion, as Nightingale will become the first ever women’s wrestler to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

By the time her induction rolls around, Nightingale may have added another accolade to her career year. Following her win over Saraya, Jamie Hayter, and Nyla Rose last night on “AEW Dynamite,” Nightingale will challenge Mariah May for the AEW Women’s World Championship this Saturday at WrestleDream. A victory would make Nightingale the first women in AEW history to have reigns as both AEW TBS and AEW Women’s World Champion.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Penelope Ford Returns To AEW Dynamite For The First Time In Two Years On Title Tuesday

The “Title Tuesday” edition of “AEW Dynamite” was full of surprises, but one that caught everyone off-guard was the return of Penelope Ford.

Ford made her presence felt during the four-way “anything goes” match to determine the No. 1 contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship, attacking Jamie Hayter from behind as Hayter looked to hit Saraya with a chair. Once she got her shots in, Ford made sure to keep her distance from Hayter as she headed backstage, with Hayter following her and out of the match in the process.

The 32-year old last wrestled for AEW in October 2022, which came shortly after she returned from a lengthy spell on the shelf due to injury. However, she would once again step away from the company after learning she was pregnant. Her husband, fellow AEW star Kip Sabian, revealed in a 2023 interview that the pregnancy came at a time in his own life when he was frustrated with the lack of time he was getting on TV, but he stated that AEW President Tony Khan was willing to do anything to make Ford’s pregnancy more comfortable.

Tragically, Ford and Sabian lost their baby ten weeks into the pregnancy; both individuals detailed everything in a short YouTube video a few weeks after they found out the news. Ford has been away from wrestling ever since, while Sabian would eventually return to the company on a full-time basis during the summer of 2024.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday Preview

Tonight is a special AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday episode of AEW Dynamite live on TBS from the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington. Special start time of 9:00 pm ET. 

  • Double Title Match: Mercedes Mone will defend the TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Emi Sakura
  • AEW Women’s Title Eliminator Match: Willow Nightingale vs. Dr. Britt Baker. D.M.D. The winner goes on to challenge Mariah May for championship at WrestleDream.
  • Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli and PAC
  • Darby Allin and Brody King will go face to face
  • Hook will call out whomever attacked his father Taz

AEW Collision Preview 10/5/2024

AEW Collision airing tonight on TNT was taped on Thursday from the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH.

  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Three-Way: Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) vs. House of Black (Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews) vs. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
  • Darby Allin vs. Johnny TV
  • The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly) (with Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero) vs. Premier Athletes (Ari Daivari & Tony Nese) (with “Smart” Mark Sterling & Josh Woods)
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Trish Adora
  • The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson)
  • Wheeler Yuta vs. BEEF
  • Kris Statlander in action
  • Hologram vs. Komander vs. Nick Wayne vs. Action Andretti

AEW Rampage Preview 10/4/2024

AEW Rampage tonight on TNT.

  • The Young Bucks and Jack Perry vs. Private Party & Katsuyori Shibata
  • Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith (Chris Jericho on commentary)
  • Queen Aminata vs. Harley Cameron
  • Kamille in action

Report – Two Serious Injuries Took Place Before AEW Dynamite On ROH TV Taping

Several serious injuries occurred during the ROH TV tapings that took place before AEW Dynamite.

First, Sammy Guevara was knocked out during a match against Serpentico at the ROH TV tapings. According to several fans in attendance, Serpentico came off the top and was caught for a cutter. The timing was said to have been “a little off” and Serpentico landed with Guevara’s face under him.

Guevara was knocked unconscious and the match was stopped. Following the bout, AEW’s medical team attended to Sammy and it looked like they were doing a concussion protocol. Guevara was eventually stretchered away.

Additionally, independent wrestler Kelly Madan was knocked out and may have suffered a neck injury at the taping in a match against Lady Frost.

Madan took a spinning move off the ropes with Frost’s legs landing on her head or neck. A quick pinfall was made, and Madan didn’t move. One fan in attendance said she was “obviously out.” AEW’s medial team, Frost and the referee surrounded Madan as the house lights were darkened. Madan was taken out on a backboard after the ring ropes were loosened.

https://twitter.com/ARS_713/status/1841623306270867674

https://twitter.com/johnrclark12/status/1841628220137074689

Source: eWn