Category: AEW

Ric Flair Offers To Walk Away From AEW Following Outrage Over Pre-Taped Rampage Promo

Ric Flair’s AEW contract has already divided opinion within the pro wrestling community — and his latest incident will only ramp up the concerns of many fans regarding the legendary 16-time world champion. After making his debut last month alongside his long-time friend Sting, the 74-year-old has made sporadic appearances alongside “The Icon,” who is set to retire at next year’s Revolution.

Last night, Flair appeared on “AEW Dynamite” in a backstage segment alongside Sting and Tony Schiavone, where they announced the date and location for Revolution. But it was as a part of the “AEW Rampage” tapings later in the night, that trouble arose. It was then that Flair would cut a lengthy in-ring promo, which involved an invitation to all the 18 to 28-year-old single women in attendance to meet in his hotel room. 

While the line is expected to be cut from the broadcast prior to Friday night’s episode, it hasn’t stopped many on social media from condemning the remarks given Flair’s history of sexual harassment allegations. In a response on his own social media account, Flair would take aim at the critics and offered to “walk away” from AEW if needed.

“I am so tired of hearing all this negativity! Can’t I simply enjoy being by my dear friend Sting’s side for the next few months without so much hatred? I know I’m old, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy life,” he said. “I have earned the right to do whatever I want and I’m exactly where I want to be! I appreciate everything Tony Khan, but I’m more than willing to walk away if I am embarrassing you and your company.”

Flair signed a multi-year agreement with AEW after his initial debut in late-October, which entails on-screen appearances and the company promoting his energy drink. At this stage, there are no plans for Flair to wrestle in AEW after the Hall of Famer had his last match in 2022.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Injury Update On Sammy Guevara

Sammy Guevara suffered a concussion at the AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view event while teaming up with Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita to defeat Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi.

Don Callis announced after the show that Guevara was not cleared to compete due to his medical condition, but did not specify the reported concussion.

Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio today that Guevara has received medical clearance for in-ring action. He was given the go-ahead about a week ago. However, due to him and Tay Melo awaiting the birth of their baby girl on Tuesday, it was decided to postpone his return until after the baby’s birth.

https://twitter.com/sammyguevara/status/1729936779157885110

Source: eWn

Britt Baker Calls Out Lack Of AEW Dynamite Promo Time Compared To MJF, Christian

Britt Baker is seemingly unhappy with AEW management for her lack of promo time. Soon after last night’s “AEW Dynamite” went off the air, the former AEW Women’s World Champion pointed out that she’s been afforded zero minutes of promo time in the year 2023, as compared to MJF and Christian Cage, who spoke in individual segments for nearly 20 minutes on Wednesday’s show. Baker’s post on X can be seen below.

Overall, women on last night’s “AEW Dynamite” were featured for roughly 10 minutes. While the Julia Hart versus Emi Sakura match went on for nearly eight minutes, the only other segments saw RJ City interview Toni Storm and Mariah May in the backstage area. As mentioned in Wrestling Inc.’s latest “3 Things We Hated And 3 Things We Loved” editorial, there’s been some pushback on the current direction of Storm’s “Timeless” character.

In recent months, fans and wrestling analysts alike have been critical of AEW for not affording enough TV time to its women’s division. As an example, All In, All Out, and WrestleDream all featured only one women’s match on the main pay-per-view card — Saraya versus Hikaru Shida versus Baker versus Toni Storm, Kris Statlander versus Ruby Soho, and Statlander versus Hart, respectively. 

The most recent Full Gear pay-per-view, however, did include two title matches for the TBS and AEW Women’s World Championship. Yet, analysts such as Freddie Prinze Jr. have called out AEW management for “doing a disservice” to Statlander by not giving her any storylines or promo time during her stint as TBS Champion. It now remains to be seen if AEW heeds the criticism and puts its female wrestlers in more prominent spots going forward. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/29/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.

  • Continental Classic Gold League: Jon Moxley vs. Jay Lethal
  • Continental Classic Gold League: Mark Briscoe vs. Rush
  • Continental Classic Gold League: Jay White vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Christian Cage responds to Adam Copeland’s Dynamite TNT Title match challenge on December 6
  • Bryan Danielson will be a guest commentator

Mercedes Mone Has Started Training For Her In-Ring Return

Mercedes Mone is currently sidelined with a broken ankle that she had surgery to fix earlier this year.

She is expected to return shortly, likely making her promotional debut with AEW while also working for NJPW.

As seen below, Mone has released footage of her training for her return. It’s still unclear exactly when she will be back from injury.

Source: eWn

Backstage WWE & AEW Reaction To CM Punk’s Return To WWE

CM Punk made his return to WWE this past Saturday at the Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 pay-per-view event.

Fightful Select has shared additional details on the backstage reaction of both WWE and AEW to Punk returning “home” at the pay-per-view event in Chicago, IL.

Several top WWE wrestlers are expecting to speak to officials in the company for “assurances” about Punk and his role in the company going forward.

The reaction backstage in WWE has been quite muted, similar to when Punk returned for AEW Collision.

There have been rumors about talents who do not wish to work with Punk and are considering leaving WWE.

Like AEW, however, there have been no reports of anyone actually requesting his/her release over Punk’s return to WWE.

Some top talent in WWE have reportedly asked friends in AEW whether Punk was involved in the ongoing Devil storyline. It has been reported that Punk was never considered for the Devil’s role.

As for AEW President Tony Khan, he reportedly seemed more concerned with losing Katsuyori Shibata, who had to fly back to Japan, than Punk’s WWE return.

Punk’s appearance was kept a top secret in WWE, although the former AEW World Champion either told or hinted to his very close friends that it was happening.

WWE is currently using renders from Punk’s previous stint with the company including the same Titantron video.

A source at Peacock suggested that the playlist of Punk content, which went online immediately after Survivor Series 2023, didn’t require any time to compile.

Prior to Punk’s return on Saturday, WWE talent and staff were advised to ignore any Punk chants at SmackDown and Survivor Series 2023.

Source: eWn

Report – MJF Suffering From A Torn Labrum

MJF is reportedly dealing with a torn labrum.

Fightful Select is reporting that the reigning AEW World Champion took to Twitter today to announce that he got an MRI done and tore the labrum in his left shoulder. The tweet, which has since been deleted, said he’d be ready for the December 30th Worlds End pay-per-view event and closed with “I believe in AEW.”

It’s worth noting that MJF was telling people last week that he believed he had torn his shoulder. While there is no word on whether the MRI comments are legit, it appears the injury is the real deal.

Finally, it was added that the injury occurred while MJF was performing a top rope uranage at Full Gear 2023. He is currently undergoing treatment and is hoping to avoid surgery.

UPDATE

MJF sustained real injuries during the main event of the AEW Full Gear 2023 pay-per-view.

He suffered a hip injury that required popping back in and a shoulder injury, which is a torn labrum. MJF will be avoiding surgery and doing rehab instead to make sure he doesn’t miss any time, including his World Heavyweight Title defense against Samoa Joe at Worlds End.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that MJF is still experiencing a lot of pain in his hip and has significant swelling around it. MJF had the same tear in his labrum when he wrestled Jack Perry at Double or Nothing in 2020, but the tear is more severe this time.

Source: eWn

Tony Khan Says He Can’t Legally Talk About CM Punk’s Return To WWE

After his departure from AEW due to a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In 2023, CM Punk made a shocking return to WWE following the main event of Saturday’s Survivor Series 2023 pay-per-view event.

Tony Khan recently did an interview with BBC West Midlands, where he was asked about Punk’s WWE return. The AEW President said,

“Can’t talk about that, nor do I think it’s the time or the place. But I appreciate you asking, and I’m very excited about AEW All In Wembley Stadium. Not to dodge or duck your question, it’s just not something I can legally talk about.“

Source: eWn

AEW Rampage & Collision Preview 11/25/2023

As a result of the NHL game being broadcasted on Friday night, AEW will be airing a live episode of Rampage on TNT tonight at 6:00 PM EST. Following that, there will be a live episode of Collision an hour later.

Tonight’s Rampage and Collision live from the Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

AEW Rampage:

  •  ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata vs. Wheeler Yuta

AEW Collision:

  • Continental Classic tournament match: Eddie Kingston vs. Brody King 
  • Continental Classic tournament match: Daniel Garcia vs. Claudio Castagnoli

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/22/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Fallout from last Saturday’s Full Gear 
  • Start of the Continental Classic Tournament
  • TNT Champion Christian Cage to rechristen Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne