Category: AEW

AEW Dynamite ‘Beach Break’ Preview 7/3/2024

AEW Dynamite ‘Beach Break’ live tonight on TBS from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

  • AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament semifinals: Jeff Jarrett vs. a wild card entry of The Young Bucks’ choosing
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament semifinals: PAC vs. Bryan Danielson
  • Women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament semifinals: Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale
  • Mercedes Mone to host a double championship celebration
  • Britt Baker to appear live

Wrestle Dynasty With NJPW, AEW, ROH, STARDOM And CMLL Set For January 2025 At The Tokyo Dome

During Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, a promo from NJPW aired for Wrestle Dynasty, which will feature stars from NJPW, CMLL, AEW, ROH and STARDOM.

The event is set to take place on Sunday, January 5, 2025 from the Tokyo Dome.

Wrestle Dynasty will take place just one day after Wrestle Kingdom, which will also be held at the Tokyo Dome.

The promo video is below, along with the official announcement from NJPW.

https://twitter.com/njpw1972/status/1807609267824054316
Wrestle Dynasty comes to the Tokyo Dome January 5!

Five promotions in one mega card after Wrestle Kingdom

A huge announcement was made during Forbidden Door as it was revealed the Tokyo Dome will play host to Wrestle Dynasty on January 5 2025.

Five promotions will come together for one mega card as NJPW, AEW, CMLL, ROH and STARDOM will all be under the roof of the Dome just 24 hours after Wrestle Kingdom 19. A night of dream matches is in store to kick off the year!

Source: WrestleView

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 6/30/2024 (Results), Dr. Britt Baker DMD Returns

Zero Hour.

  • RJ City, Rocky Romero, Jeff Jarrett & Renee Paquette hosted the Zero Hour previewing the card of the show.
  • The Acclaimed (Billy Gunn, Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) cut a promo backstage, where Billy Gunn said he pulled some strings to get Bowens & Caster to team with Hiroshi Tanahashi against The Elite and promised to kick Okada back to his Studio Apartment in Manhattan.
  • Amanda Huber & Negative One talked about the collaboration between AEW & Reebok Classic Leather to pay tribute to Jon Huber, famously known as Brodie Lee Jr.
  • Kyle Fletcher def. Serpentico via Pinfall (BRAINBUSTAH!).
  • Four Way Tag Match: Kings of The Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) def. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen), Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii, and NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong (w/ Gedo, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) via Pinfall (Ganzo Bomb from King on Kassidy).
  • Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano def. Momo Watanabe & Kris Statlander (w/ Stokely Hathaway) via Pinfall (Hammerlock Dragon Suplex from Nakano on Watanabe).
  • 2024 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament – First Round Match: Mariah May (w/ Toni Storm & Luther) def. Saraya (w/ Harley Cameron) via Pinfall (Roll-Through Bridge).​​​​​​
    • Mina Shirakawa appeared after the match to celebrate with Mariah May. Storm & Shirakawa then butted heads due to Shirakawa’s sudden appearance.
  • Místico & Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fénix) (w/ Alex Abrahantes) def. Los Ingobernables de Japón (Titán, Yota Tsuji & Hiromu Takahashi) via Submission (La Mística from Místico on Titán).

Main Show.

  • Excalibur, Nigel McGuiness & Taz welcomed the audience to the broadcast before transitioning into the opening match.
  • Maxwell Jacob Freidman def. Hechicero via Pinfall (Sheer Drop Brainbuster).
  • The Elite (AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada and AEW Tag Team Champions Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) via Pinfall (Rainmaker from Okada on Tanahashi).
    • Okada was going to hit another Rainmaker on Tanahashi, but Billy Gunn came to the ring and made the save.
  • 2024 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament – First Round Match: Bryan Danielson def. Shingo Takagi via Submission (Disarmer Arm Breaker).
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Toni Storm (c) (w/ Luther & Mariah May) def. Mina Shirakawa (w/ Mariah May) via Pinfall (Storm Zero).
    • After a vicious match, Mina Shirakawa & Toni Storm embraced with a hug and a handshake before they & May kissed. Nigel McGuiness was spotted crying at the wholesome ending.
  • Zack Sabre Jr def. Orange Cassidy via Submission (Clarky Cat Lock).
  • Katsuyori Shibata, Samoa Joe & HOOK def. NJPW Television Champion Jeff Cobb & The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho & Big Bill) (w/ Bryan Keith) via Pinfall (Judas Effect from HOOK on Jericho).
  • TNT Championship Ladder Match: Jack Perry def. Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Briscoe, Jack Perry, Lio Rush, Dante Martin & El Phantasmo to win the title.
  • TBS Championship & NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship Match: Mercedes Mone (c) def. Stephanie Vaquer (c) via Submission (Banks Statement).
  • NJPW announced they will host the ” WrestleDynasty ” event from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on January 5, 2024.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: Tetsuya Naito def. Jon Moxley (c) via Pinfall (Destino).
  • AEW World Heavyweight Championship Match: Swerve Strickland (c) (w/ Prince Nana & Jim Jones) def. AEW International Champion Will Ospreay via Pinfall (JML Driver).
    • After the referee was taken out, Don Callis tried to give a screwdriver to help Ospreay, but Prince Nana took him out. Ospreay then threatened to stab Nana with the screwdriver, but had second thoughts and tossed the tool away. Ospreay got back in the ring, but Swerve then hit the House Call and a Swerve Stomp to try and pick up the win, but Ospreay kicked out. Swerve got back up and hit another House Call before hitting the JML Driver for the win. Swerve Strickland celebrated with Flash Garments, Jim Jones, and Prince Nana ss Ospreay was consoled by Kyle Fletcher in the ring to end the broadcast.

Results from WrestleZone

AEW Collision Preview 6/29/2024

AEW Collision returns with a new episode later tonight. This will be the final show before tomorrow’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024 pay-per-view event. Tonight’s show airs via tape delay on TNT at 8:00 PM EST.

  • Battle of Buffalo: Daniel Garcia vs. The Butcher
  • Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament Match: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida
  • Open Challenge: Serena Deeb vs. TBA
  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lady Frost
  • Tomohiro Ishii & Orange Cassidy vs. TMDK (Shane Haste & Robbie Eagles)
  • Hechicero vs. TBA
  • Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay weigh in for AEW Forbidden Door
  • Chris Jericho names The Learning Tree’s third man for their Trios Match at Forbidden Door against Samoa Joe, Hook and Shibata

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 6/30/2024 (Card)

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door – Sunday June 30, 2024 – UBS Arena in Elmont, New York

Featuring wrestling talent from AEW, NJPW, STARDOM and CMLL

CARD

THE AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay

LADDER MATCH FOR THE VACANT AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP
Dante Martin vs. Jack Perry vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Lio Rush vs. Mark Briscoe vs. El Phantasmo

WINNER TAKES ALL MATCH FOR THE AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP AND NJPW STRONG WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Mercedes Moné (c–AEW) vs. Stephanie Vaquer (c–NJPW)

AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Mariah May and Luther) vs. Mina Shirakawa (with Mariah May)

IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

The Elite (Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada) vs. The Acclaimed & Hiroshi Tanahashi w/“Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn

MEN’S OWEN HART CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi

MJF vs. Hechicero

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy

The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho and Big Bill) and Jeff Cobb (with Bryan Keith) vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata

ZERO HOUR
Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe w/Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano

[ZERO HOUR] WOMEN’S OWEN HART CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST-ROUND MATCH:
Mariah May (with “Timeless” Toni Storm, Luther and Mina Shirakawa) vs. Saraya (with Harley Cameron and Anna Jay)

[ZERO HOUR] TRIOS MATCH:
Los Ingobernables de Japon (Yota Tsuji, Titan, and Hiromu Takahashi) vs. The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fénix) and Místico (with Alex Abrahantes)

Chris Jericho Appears At CMLL Viernes Event, Ambushes Mistico

Chris Jericho made a surprise appearance at the CMLL Viernes Espectacular event in Mexico City on Friday night.

The former AEW World Champion, under a luchador mask, interfered during a match between Mistico and Averno, attacking Mistico.

Jericho subsequently challenged Mistico to a match, delivering a promo to express his intentions.

He said, “I’m very happy to be here. A huge part of my life was Mexico and wrestling in Mexico City and living in Mexico City, all across the country. Many people say I am the greatest of all time. But tonight, [Translated from Spanish], I am the best wrestler of all time. Mistico, you are not on my level. You are not in my nest. I am the heart of a lion. You are the heart of a mouse.”

Jericho continued in English, “Mistico, I will challenge you anytime, anyplace, anywhere. You say the word. You call Arena Mexico your house. Thirty years ago, Arena Mexico was my house, and I’m coming back to take my house away from you.”

You can check out Jericho’s promo below:

AEW Rampage Preview 6/28/2024

AEW returns with a new episode of Rampage tonight on TNT, continuing the build for AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2024.

  • TNT Championship Qualifying Match: El Phantasmo vs. AR Fox
  • Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong vs. The Infantry
  • Orange Cassidy vs. The Outrunners
  • Queen Aminata vs. Skye Blue
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Dalton Castle

Penta El Zero Miedo Open To Joining WWE After AEW Contract Expires

The competition to secure the services of a prominent AEW star is expected to intensify as his contract approaches expiration.

This notable talent is Penta El Zero Miedo, whose contract will conclude between August and September 2024. The Luchador has achieved considerable success in AEW, particularly as part of the Lucha Bros alongside his brother Rey Fenix.

Penta’s diverse portfolio has contributed to numerous promotions, including AAA, MLW, TNA Impact, CMLL, and Lucha Underground. The 39-year-old wrestler is an impressive former one-time TNA World Champion and a two-time Lucha Underground Champion.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Penta is open to departing from AEW and is receptive to joining WWE.

AEW President Tony Khan has publicly expressed confidence in retaining Penta. In a recent interview, Penta confirmed that he has not engaged in discussions with WWE. This statement complies with regulations against contract tampering. Legally, WWE can only initiate talks with Penta once his AEW contract expires.

However, Penta has indicated his willingness to explore opportunities, emphasizing the significance of this upcoming contract decision as potentially the final major deal of his career.

Source: eWn

Report – New AEW-WBD TV Deal To Be Announced Imminently

There have been ongoing discussions regarding the TV rights deal between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is set to expire at the end of this year, and a resolution may be imminent.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO and President, David Zaslav, along with TNT Sports Head Luis Silberwasser, are interested in retaining the five hours of AEW programming per week on TNT and TBS, featuring Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision. The reported figures being negotiated exceed the estimated $110 million annual mark.

AEW has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery since its inception in 2019. During this time, the promotion successfully recruited top talent and grew to become the second-largest wrestling promotion globally. The exclusive negotiation period between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery is now close to expiring.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the deal is expected to be announced, possibly before the exclusive negotiation window ends.

Dave Meltzer also mentioned the conflicting reports circulating about the ongoing discussions. He noted,

“There are expectations the deal would be announced imminently, maybe even before the expiration of the exclusive window for negotiating that is just about over. I will say that we’ve gotten people who say they know from all over saying completely contradictory things about the talks.”

Meltzer further stated that AEW President Tony has indicated that the new deal is positive and transformative, while competitors have reportedly suggested otherwise, demonstrating the complexities of these negotiations.

AEW is set to present the 2024 Forbidden Door pay-per-view event in partnership with NJPW this Sunday.

Source: eWn

Warner Bros. Discovery Implementing Stricter Language Policies For AEW

Warner Bros. Discovery has seemingly adopted a more stringent approach towards profanity on their broadcasts.

Explicit language was prominent in prior episodes of AEW Dynamite, but recent broadcasts have indicated an increased use of censorship.

The June 26th episode of AEW Dynamite notably featured instances where certain words and phrases were censored, including during a promo by MJF.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer remarked on the apparent shift in Warner Bros. Discovery’s stance on profanity, noting even the censorship of mild language, which was not a common practice.

Meltzer said, ”There’s definitely something that’s changed in WBD when it comes to language because they were bleeping tame stuff and they used to let almost everything go. Somebody somewhere has decided that what they were doing before is no longer kosher.”

Despite these changes, AEW continues to offer an edgier product with depictions of blood and violence. Whether Warner Bros. Discovery will extend its scrutiny to the level of violence depicted in AEW programming remains to be seen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.