Category: AEW

Report – Nearly 34,000 AEW All In 2024 Tickets Sold On The First Day

AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter on Friday to announce that the AEW All In 2024 pay-per-view event has already grossed $4 million on the first day of ticket sales.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1730742435989356753

According to a report from WrestleTix, 33,923 tickets have been distributed so far. The current setup allows for 44,452 fans to be in attendance. As of this writing, there are 10,529 tickets still available. It should be noted that more tickets will be released as time goes on.

AEW All In 2024 is still nearly nine months away and no matches have been announced for the show as of this writing. The event takes place on Sunday, August 25, from the historic Wembley Stadium in London, England.

https://twitter.com/WrestleTix/status/1730759589136642184

Source: eWn

AEW World Champ MJF Won’t Get Surgery, Thinks He Can Work ‘Careful Matches Or Smoke And Mirrors Matches’

MJF is currently dealing with two significant injuries — a torn labrum and a dislocated hip — but the AEW World Champion reportedly plans to work through the pain. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, MJF won’t be getting surgery to fix either injury, and will instead be undergoing stem cell therapy and rehab to get ready for his title defense against Samoa Joe at Worlds End.

The 27-year-old reportedly opted against surgery, as going under the knife would put him on the shelf for a couple of months. It’s presently unknown if MJF plans to work any more matches before his clash against Joe, but WON notes MJF believes he can deliver “careful matches or smoke and mirrors matches” in the lead-up to AEW’s last pay-per-view of 2023. This injury isn’t new to MJF, as he worked through a torn labrum at Double or Nothing 2020, where he wrestled Jack Perry in a critically acclaimed match between two of AEW’s four pillars. However, the tear he’s dealing with currently is said to be worse than his previous one.

MJF announced the news of his shoulder injury via X, informing fans an MRI revealed he had suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. According to Dave Meltzer, MJF suffered the tear while on the receiving end of a top rope Uranage from Jay White at Full Gear, aggravating his already injured shoulder in the process. As for the hip injury, MJF got hurt while delivering an elbow drop off the top rope to White on the floor. The original intent was for White to be placed on the announce table rather than the floor, which would have broken MJF’s fall, but the table collapsed prematurely. MJF dislocated his hip later in the match, and since then, Meltzer’s sources say that his swelling has subsided but he continues to deal with pain. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 12/1/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • Danhausen, Orange Cassidy, Hook & Trent Beretta vs. Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
  • The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in action
  • Saraya, Ruby Soho & Anna Jay vs. Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue
  • Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Brian Cage & The WorkHorsemen’s JD Drake & Anthony Henry
  • Sting and Ric Flair to appear

Tommy Dreamer Says Britt Baker Is Adding To The Disruptiveness Of AEW Locker Room

Tommy Dreamer feels that AEW star Britt Baker’s recent tweet criticizing AEW management could cause disruption in the promotion. 

Baker, during this week’s “AEW Dynamite,” called out AEW on social media for not affording her promo time on AEW television in 2023. Dreamer discussed the comment by the former AEW Women’s World Champion on “Busted Open,” stating that it could be disruptive if it was a real criticism.

“I don’t think AEW needs any negative. As of today, this is deemed a negative up until [if] this is the reveal. If this is the reveal then, we all got got,” said Dreamer. “If it’s not, then it needs to be handled, and if it’s not handled, there will be more disruptiveness.”

Dreamer gave the example of The Miz as someone who made it work and has lasted a long time in WWE despite being treated poorly by his peers in his early years in the promotion. Dreamer discussed how The Miz put his head down and worked hard despite being ostracized by the locker room.

“There’s people who complained online about stuff in WWE, they were let go. There were, if I would say, hey, you don’t understand what this person went through, I did because I lived it through him, and it was The Miz. The Miz was put through hell,” said the former WWE star A different locker room, he was ostracized, you weren’t allowed to speak, it was made horrible for that young man. I like Miz, Miz’s my friend. From that, Miz has outlasted everybody. Did Miz go out on social media and say, ‘I’m dressing in a broom closet’? Miz ate it and then continued his hard work and whatever little, stupid spots he’s given, he got it over. And he’s been there forever.”

Baker hasn’t got on the mic in AEW this year and hasn’t wrestled since September when she lost the AEW TBS title match to Kris Statlander. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

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