Tonight’s AEW Dynamite live on TBS from the Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Both Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi have been absent from AEW for some time, with fans anxiously waiting as the two stars recover from significant injuries. However, those fans may not have to wait much longer. Based on a post made by Ibushi on Instagram, he and Omega are training together once again.
“World domination is just days away,” Ibushi wrote. “Had a golden practice after a long time. We are still far from done. Next AEW!!!”
The first photo shows Ibushi and Omega striking an iconic pose just outside of a ring, while the next picture features the two men making funny faces while holding onto a pair of large beverages. While it’s not clear from the photo whether Ibushi and Omega are training in Japan, the Tokyo Game Show is set to begin next week and Omega is a noted video game fan, offering a potential reason for Omega to visit.
While Omega has been an EVP in AEW since the promotion’s inception, it took his Golden Lovers partner a while longer to make it over. Ibushi signed a contract with AEW in 2023 but has wrestled just four matches so far. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has dealt with a string of serious injuries over the last several years, resulting in Ibushi performing only 11 times since the end of 2021.
As for Omega, the AEW star discovered last year that he was dealing with a case of diverticulitis that could have potentially ended his life if he hadn’t sought out treatment at the right time. After months away from television, Omega returned on “AEW Dynamite” this past May, updating the audience on his health status before being attacked by his former friends in The Elite. As of now, that was the last time Omega has been seen onscreen.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
A new TV deal between All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to be announced next week.
Entertainment news outlet Puck has confirmed that WBD’s deal with AEW is close to being finalized, and an announcement is likely coming “as soon as next week, barring any last-minute challenges.” It’s worth noting that AEW will be in New York City next week for their Grand Slam TV tapings. It is expected that reps from WBD will be in attendance at these TV tapings.
AEW’s next media rights deal with Warner Bros Discovery seems to be approaching the finish line, with a report yesterday suggesting AEW was poised to sign a 3-4 year contract worth $170 million annually. Now, a new report from Fightful Select has some additional details on the situation behind the scenes.
In addition to backing up the news regarding the deal, today’s report states that the new media rights package will be enough to make AEW a profitable company. Leading up to the agreement, AEW reportedly saw $200 million per year, for a five-year deal, as a “large benchmark” that they hoped to achieve. While the impending deal is slightly less than that, and for a shorter amount of time, there is now potential for the promotion to surpass that goal.
It remains a possibility that AEW’s pay-per-views are part of a separate deal that is currently being worked on between the promotion and WBD, which could see the events wind up streaming on MAX. On top of that, the report indicates that AEW is currently shopping around another television package for broadcast networks, and that it’s something Tony Khan has wanted to make happen for a while. It appears AEW’s exclusivity with WBD is ending with the new contract, allowing Khan to bring AEW offers to other companies, explaining the recent AEW-Fox rumors.
There reportedly hasn’t been any word about Ring of Honor being included in any of these deals, but it remains a possibility. So far, AEW has kept most information about the contract locked down, with talent unaware of many details. While no firm date has yet to emerge, it seems the new deal could be announced as soon as next week, according to the original report.
Sources: Wrestling Inc. and eWn
A year out from his WWE exit, Matt Riddle recently teased the possibility of joining All Elite Wrestling, specifically with the intention of making more money and working a decent television schedule. According to a new report, though, that idea may be a little far-fetched right now.
Fightful Select reports that AEW President Tony Khan has had zero interest in bringing Riddle aboard to the company, “especially over the last number of years.” In recent months, Riddle has worked with some talents signed to AEW — including Brian Cage, Dralistico, Komander, Penta El Zero Miedo, and The Beast Mortos — on the wrestling circuit. As Fightful points out, though, all those matches emanated from promotions based in Mexico, and not the United States.
In addition to the idea of signing with AEW, Riddle also recently discussed a backstage encounter he had with Khan following his loss to Zack Sabre Jr. at the April 2024 NJPW Windy City Riot show in Chicago. According to Riddle, the conversation between him and Khan was relatively awkward. While Khan initially seemed happy, Riddle stated that he later seemed “confused” when Riddle asked him if he liked the match with Sabre Jr. in a “different” kind of tone.
Since leaving WWE last year, Riddle has worked for several independent promotions across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. “The Original Bro” has additionally appeared for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. Riddle’s latest MLW appearance came at the Summer Of The Beasts event on August 29, which saw him defeat former MLW World Tag Team Champion Matthew Justice.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Following a 16-month back-injury-related hiatus, Thunder Rosa officially returned to in-ring action in December 2023. Unfortunately, the former AEW Women’s Champion has now revealed that she recently sustained another injury, though the duration of her subsequent recovery is expected to be much shorter.
While speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Rosa noted that she is currently battling a head injury, namely a concussion. As such, she will be out of action for “a couple of weeks” as she recuperates. There is no word on exactly how or when Rosa sustained the concussion. With Concussion Awareness Day now just days away, though, Rosa encouraged listeners to follow Chris Nowinski, the founding CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and former WWE star, as she sees his page as a helpful place for information and research related to concussions.
Rosa’s latest in-ring performance came on the August 31 episode of “AEW Collision.” There, she, Hikaru Shida, Serena Deeb, and Queen Aminata competed in a four-way match, in which the winner earned a shot at the TBS Championship, presently held by Mercedes Mone. This opportunity was ultimately captured by Shida after she nailed Aminata with an enzuiguri and a round-house kick.
Prior to this, Rosa was notably entangled in a feud with “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo. Initially starting out as budding tag team partners, Purrazzo and Rosa eventually turned to enemies when a dazed Rosa shoved Purrazzo on the April 10 episode of “AEW Dynamite,” causing Purrazzo to aim a profanity at her. Since then, the two battled back and forth in a series of matches, with their final one taking form in a Texas Bullrope Match on “Collision” last month.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s AEW Collision taped earlier this week from the Nutter Center in Dayton, OH.
Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.
A new television deal between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery is considered finalized, although not officially announced.
The discussions between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery have been ongoing for months, as the current deal expires at the end of the year.
The new deal being considered is worth at least double the value of AEW’s current deal, which is approximately $70 million annually.
It’s important to note that the new deal won’t be exclusive. There are rumors that AEW is negotiating with FOX for a potential deal involving a one-hour show called “Shockwave,” a name they have filed a trademark for, which would potentially air on FS1.
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed AEW’s new media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. The plan is to incorporate pay-per-view events on MAX in some capacity.
Meltzer said, “The WBD deal is a done deal, and there are going to be changes. From what I gather, there is going to be a pay-per-view component in this deal. Exactly what it is, I don’t know…I don’t know exactly if it’s going to be how UFC does it. It’s going to be how WWE does it, but you know, there is going to be a deal with MAX with the pay-per-views in some form is what it looks like. But the deal’s done.”
Source: eWn
AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Butcher and the Blade have been members of the AEW roster since the company’s early days, and though they’ve never risen to the top of the card, the duo had found a niche that saw them featured occasionally on TV. That hasn’t been the case in 2024, as the Blade (real name Jesse Guilmette) has been sidelined with an injury. The wrestler took to Instagram recently to reveal that he recently underwent successful back fusion surgery.
In addition to a short video of himself walking down the hospital hallway, Guilmette posted a photo of a hospital meal, complete with various plastic containers and what looks to be extra Jell-O. The comments for the post feature several fellow AEW stars, including the long-absent Miro, wishing Guilmette well.
The last time the Butcher and the Blade performed on AEW TV was in January, teaming up with Kip Sabian on the January 5 episode of “AEW Rampage” in a losing effort against Mark Briscoe and the Hardy brothers. One week later, the Butcher and the Blade lost a match against Top Flight during a Ring of Honor taping.
According to Guilmette on Instagram several weeks ago, the problems with his back began after a nasty fall in 2020. Things got worse over time, forcing Guilmette to step away from the ring and eventually decide to have surgery. The wrestler thanked Tony Khan in his post for the level of care AEW has provided, stating that he was grateful to have been signed there deep into his career.
Meanwhile, the Butcher has stayed active on AEW programming in his partner’s absence. His most recent match took place last month, when he teamed with The Outrunners to face Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, and Tomohiro Ishii on “Rampage.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Wrestling News Blog 