Category: AEW

Backstage Report Offers Health Update For AEW Star Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega has been absent from AEW since December, reportedly dealing with a case of diverticulitis that, at one time, threatened his life. According to an update from Dave Meltzer in today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Omega will require surgery to return to AEW in the best condition possible.

Meltzer reported that Omega has gone through “ups and downs” over the last few months, with his condition said to be causing him pain. Two doctors are said to have recommended surgery for Omega, with a procedure that would require repairing damaged sections of his intestines and colon. Meltzer noted that both Brock Lesnar and Davey Boy Smith Jr. dealt with diverticulitis in the past, but Omega’s case looks to be more severe.

As has been made obvious by recent developments on “AEW Dynamite,” the promotion is hoping for a feud between Kazuchika Okada and Omega upon his return. The two faced off numerous times in high-profile New Japan Pro-Wrestling matches in 2017 and 2018, with each man currently tied at two wins each. Okada debuted on the AEW roster earlier this month with the Young Bucks by his side, declaring that they were kicking Omega out of The Elite and suspending “Hangman” Adam Page in favor of adding the former NJPW star.

Omega’s most recent match was on December 5, 2023, when he faced Ethan Page during a pre-taped “AEW Collision.” Though he didn’t know it, Omega was already dealing with diverticulitis at the time. After filming a promo segment at the “Dynamite” taping the following week, it was determined that Omega was very ill and he was taken to a hospital, where he learned the severity of what he was facing.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 3/27/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

  • Will Ospreay vs. Katsuyori Shibata
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Konosuke Takeshita – The winner will be ranked #1 as the updated rankings will also be released
  • AEW Tag Team Championships Tournament Quarterfinals: The Young Bucks vs. Private Party
  • AEW Tag Team Championships Tournament Quarterfinals: Best Friends vs. Undisputed Kingdom
  • TBS Championship Number One Contender Match: Anna Jay vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Skye Blue vs. Kris Statlander. Mercedes Mone’ will be on Commentary – The winner will earn a title opportunity at Dynasty on April 21 in St. Louis, MO.

Upcoming AEW Collision Will Avoid WWE WrestleMania 40 Competition

The April 6 episode of AEW Collision will not air in the show’s regular time slot nor have to go head-to-head with WrestleMania 40, which is set to start at 7 p.m. EST.

According to the TNT programming schedule, the edition of the show will instead air at 11:30 p.m. EST.

As a reminder, the show will be taped after AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, April 3.

Matt Hardy Gives Update On AEW Contract Negotiations

On the latest episode of the “Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, the AEW star discussed a wide range of topics. 

During this time, Hardy discussed his contract status with AEW ahead of its expiration this month. He was also at Monday’s WWE RAW after he and his wife were invited to sit in a suite by one of her friends. He said, 

“The reason it got even more buzz is people know my contract is coming up. I’m in the midst of contract negotiations. If you are trying to secure me under contract, I’m a guy you want. Whenever I work for your company, nobody waves the flag harder than I do. Whether it’s promoting the company on social media or promoting the hell out of all the positive the company offers. I do love AEW. There are some things I would like to change about my personal career there, and some of the things we’re doing, but overall I love AEW because it is very important for the pro wrestling industry. AEW needs to do well just because the pro wrestling industry doesn’t need just one huge company that is in control of everything. They need competition. Competition is what makes it thrive and what makes it better. For all the young kids coming up, competition needs to exist. I want AEW to do well and I want AEW to thrive. I want to be in a satisfactory position in what I’m doing in AEW. That’s where we’re at.

“Still negotiating and figuring things out. Once again, Tony Khan has taken great care of me. He’s been a good boss. I think Tony Khan is a great human being. At the end of the day, when it comes to making a decision about what I do next, it also comes down to making sure I’m happy and I’m comfortable with what I’m doing in all capacities across the board. There is a ton of value in both Matt and Jeff Hardy right now. If you’re online and don’t see that, I’m sorry, but social media does not reflect reality. People know who we are. I don’t want to say we’re household names, but if you’re a pro wrestling fan, you know who the Hardy Boys are. There are people I meet who are like, ‘You look like Matt Hardy, the Hardy Boys who did the ladder stuff.’ ‘Yeah, nice to meet you.’ I get recognized every day I go out in public. That’s promotion and press, you can’t buy that. I’ve been blessed with so much TV time over the years. There is huge value in Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, and the Hardys together, especially. That is when we’re at our most value. There is value in both of us. Once again, I want to be used to the best of my ability and get the most out of my value.”

Source: eWn

Backstage Update On Jack Perry’s AEW Hiatus

Tony Khan continues to hold a grudge against Jack Perry following CM Punk’s AEW departure and that’s why he hasn’t brought him back to television.

Perry had been absent from the scene for several months after the incident involving CM Punk at AEW All In last August. This incident resulted in Perry’s suspension. Despite Perry now working with NJPW, he remains under contract with AEW. 

Perry disregarded Punk’s advice against using real glass during a TV segment. Perry performed a spot on a car windshield at All In 2023 and made a reference to using real glass on camera, which led to the physical altercation backstage.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Perry will be brought back after his NJPW run.

“The way we’ve heard it, was that he was sent home after Wembley and never heard back from Khan. He apologized, kept texting him about he never meant to cause any trouble and was sorry. He did hear from the company through lawyers. Then they talked and he apologized to Khan. But he still hasn’t been brought back. What they are doing now in Japan is storyline to lead to an eventual return,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

Tony Khan Provides Update On Kenny Omega’s AEW Status, Won’t Set Timetable For Return

AEW President Tony Khan has opened up about how former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega is doing and if a return might be on the cards for him. Omega was taken out of action indefinitely at the end of 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulitis, an illness that could have been fatal had Omega not seen doctors when he did.

“The Cleaner” has since been spotted on Twitch where he has been streaming video games and talking wrestling, and seems in high spirits which has got a lot of people feeling good about seeing him return to the ring. Khan shares this optimism with the fans as he stated in an interview with “ComicBook Nation” that, while he would love to see Omega back in action, he doesn’t want to rush things. 

“We miss Kenny Omega very much,” Khan said. “Hopefully he will be back with us soon and certainly I think the fans will be clamoring for his return and there will be a massive ovation if and when Kenny Omega does come back to AEW. I don’t want to put pressure on it, he was really in a bad way and I don’t want to put a timetable or try to rush him back. But I’m optimistic we’ll see Kenny Omega again and certainly, it’s something for all the fans to look forward to. I think everybody’s going to go crazy when Kenny does come back, which I think we’re all very optimistic about.”

When Omega does come back, he will have to deal with the drama of The Young Bucks, who publicly fired him from The Elite on an episode of “AEW Dynamite” in March 2024 after they said he was not making any of his dates for no good reason.

Source: Wrestling Inc. credit to ComicBook Nation

AEW Dynamite & Rampage Preview 3/20/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by a special live Wednesday night episode of Rampage.

Dynamite

  • TNT Championship – I Quit Match: Christian Cage (c) vs. Adam Copeland
  • AEW Continental Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • We’ll hear from Mercedes Mone
  • Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm & Mariah May
  • Chris Jericho vs. Hook

Rampage

  • Street Fight: Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale vs. Julia Hart & Skye Blue
  • AEW Tag Team Championship Tournament Wildcard Match: Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta) vs. Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher & Powerhouse Hobbs)

Backstage Update On Jack Perry’s Hiatus From AEW

Dave Meltzer, during today’s on Wrestling Observer Radio, revealed that Tony Khan continues to hold a grudge against Jack Perry following CM Punk’s AEW departure and that’s why he hasn’t brought him back to television.

Perry had been absent from the scene for several months after the incident involving CM Punk at AEW All In last August. This incident resulted in Perry’s suspension and Punk’s release. Despite Perry now working with NJPW, he remains under contract with AEW.

The altercation occurred when Perry disregarded Punk’s advice against using real glass during a TV segment. Perry performed a spot on a car windshield at All In and made a reference to using real glass on camera, which led to the physical altercation.

Source: eWn

Dustin & Cody Rhodes’ Nephews To Make Their Debuts This Weekend

Dustin and Cody Rhodes’ nephews will make their debut at his Rhodes Wrestling Academy this coming weekend.

Taking to Twitter, Rhodes announced that Wyatt and Wayne Rhodes (The Texas Outlaws), the sons of Cody and Dustin’s sister Kristin Rhodes Ditto, will debut at the academy’s showcase event on Sunday.

Dustin wrote, “The #Rhodes Legacy is strong and growing. Introducing my nephews Wyatt and Wayne Rhodes, #TheTexasOutlaws who will make their debut at #RWA’s showcase this Sunday March 24th at 7/6 central on #RWA’s @youtube channel in the main event 2out of 3 falls 30 minute time limit for the new #RWATagTeamChampionship

Please tune in Sunday. #prowrestling #YouTube

RT please!”

https://twitter.com/dustinrhodes/status/1769811345732481251

El Hijo Del Vikingo Forced To Vacate AAA Mega Championship

AAA star El Hijo del Vikingo has had to relinquish his AAA Mega Championship due to him being sidelined after suffering an injury.

The Mexican promotion announced on social media that Vikingo has vacated his title, and that a new champion will be determined at next month’s Triplemania XXXII show in Monterrey on April 27. Qualifiers for the match at Triplemania XXXII have begun, with Alberto El Patron winning the first qualifier match, defeating Psycho Clown and Cibernetico.

Vikingo’s reign as AAA Mega Champion lasted 833 days, which is the longest reign in the title’s history. The 26-year-old had to vacate the championship after a knee injury that he suffered recently forced him to undergo surgery. The Mexican star revealed later that he has ruptured ligaments and a torn meniscus, with reports suggesting that he could be out for anywhere between five and nine months. His injury occurred during a match on AULL in February, with the match being stopped due to its seriousness.

His reign as AAA Mega Champion began at AAA Triplemania Regia II in December 2021, when he defeated Jay Lethal, Bandido, Samuray del Sol, and Bobby Fish in a five-way match. Vikingo, who has wrestled in AEW and ROH since his debut AEW match against Kenny Omega in March 2023, last defended the Mega Championship in January on ROH against Action Andretti. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.