Category: AEW

Kota Ibushi Confirms AEW Contract, Details How It Came Together

Japanese wrestling star Kota Ibushi has now wrestled three matches in All Elite Wrestling, starting with Blood & Guts in July, as well as a pair of six-man tags — one in August and the other earlier this month. During a conversation with Yumehito Imanari posted to YouTube (translation via WrestleZone), Ibushi revealed that he has signed a contract with AEW. The former NJPW star also opened up regarding some of the contract’s details.

“I’m based in Japan, and I will travel for the matches,” Ibushi said. “Basically, I’m in Japan. I work in Japan. I will be active. I’ll be free to do that too.”

Along with that, Ibushi confirmed that his AEW contract allows him to appear in other wrestling promotions, though it’s unclear if there are specific promotions detailed or if the agreement is open-ended. There was also one more stipulation Ibushi requested.

“[I asked to] reduce the number of matches a little bit more,” Ibushi continued. “Because if I go too many times, my activities in Japan will be limited. … When I said that, [AEW said] that is okay, too. It’s the best deal.”

After nearly a year and a half away from wrestling, Ibushi returned earlier this year, competing in a pair of matches for GCW during WWE WrestleMania weekend. Prior to Ibushi making his AEW debut in July, there had long been speculation regarding and anticipation for his appearance, as Ibushi’s friend and former tag team partner Kenny Omega is one of the foundational members of the AEW company’s roster. The two have since reunited their tag team, the Golden Lovers.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 10/14/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision live on TNT from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.

  • AEW TNT Championship: Christian Cage (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
  • ROH TV Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Willie Mack
  • TBS Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Skye Blue
  • Komander vs. Brian Cage
  • We’ll hear from the new AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill
  • “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland to appear

WWE SmackDown To Go Head-to-Head With AEW Collision Next Month

The latest battle between WWE and AEW was this past Tuesday between NXT and Dynamite, with NXT outdrawing the rival show in the ratings.  

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the next head-to-head ratings battle between WWE and AEW will happen on November 17. 

“The next head-to-head situations will be on 11/17, when Collision is moved to Friday from 8-10 p.m., meaning there will be a live three-hour block from the Forum in Los Angeles with Rampage at 10-11 p.m. So the first two hours will go against Smackdown on FOX.”

AEW can’t air its program in the normal timeslot because of the Full Gear pay-per-view event on November 18th. 

There will also be a head-to-head on November 25 with Collision against Survivor Series and on December 9 with Collision against NXT Deadline from Bridgeport, CT.

Source: eWn

AEW Rampage Preview 10/13/2023

AEW has announced the lineup for tonight’s new Rampage episode on TNT.

  • Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy & Brother Zay vs. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia
  • Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta of Blackpool Combat Club vs. Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona of Mogul Embassy’s Gates of Agony 
  • Skye Blue vs. Emi Sakura
  • Trent Beretta vs. Jay Lethal

AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday Preview 10/10/2023

AEW Dynamite will hold a special Title Tuesday episode live tonight on TBS from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, MO.

Tonight’s show will go head-to-head this week only with NXT, live on the USA Network.

Tony Khan announced on Monday evening that the first 30 minutes of tonight’s show will be commercial free. Also, according a report from Fightful Select, you can expect a 10-minute overrun.

Eddie Kingston will defend the ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship against Minoru Suzuki on the pre-show. The match will be taking place at 7:30 PM EST on AEW’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube:

  • No. 1 Contender’s Match to the TNT Championship: Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Saraya (c) vs. Hikaru Shida
  • AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix (c) vs. Jon Moxley
  • Adam Copeland vs. Luchasaurus
  • Christian Cage to explain his recent actions toward Adam Copeland
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Chris Jericho vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • MJF will appear
  • ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm is ready for her close-up

AEW Collision Preview 10/7/2023

Tonight’s AEW Collision live on TNT at a special start time of 7/6c from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Utah

  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (c) vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill
  • ROH World Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Komander
  • Adam Copeland responds to Christian Cage.
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Toni Storm vs. Kiera Hogan

Danhausen Returning To AEW Soon

Things are once again about to become “Very Nice, Very Evil” in All Elite Wrestling, as a vignette teasing the return of Danhausen aired on this week’s episode of AEW Rampage.

Danhausen hasn’t been featured on AEW television since suffering a torn pectoral muscle at the Revolution pay-per-view event.

You can check out a video of the vignette below:

Chris Jericho To Star In UPtv Movie ‘Country Hearts’

Chris Jericho is the star of a new UPtv movie, “Country Hearts,” that comes out on October 22. 

The top AEW star plays a former rockstar, named Bones, who’s married to a country music songstress and has three daughters with dreams of becoming singers. The movie description reads:

“In ‘Country Hearts’, the daughters of country music and rock & roll royalty find themselves at a crossroads, torn between following their dreams of performing or helping their father run their up-and-coming horse breeding business. Between old flames, new love, best friends and family – they’ll all need the strength of each other to face the next steps. ‘Country Hearts’ stars Chris Jericho, Lanie McAuley, Katerina Maria, Brendan Morgan, Jeff Irving, Craig Strickland, David Pinard, Michelle Nolden, Genevieve Fisher, Roy Lewis, Lara Amersey, Greg Ellwand, Bebsabe Duque, Celine Bauwmans and Neil Whitely.”

Source: eWn

AEW Rampage Preview 10/6/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • Four-way match for ROH Championship shot: Johnny TV vs. Komander vs. Lince Dorado vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
  • Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir
  • Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia vs. The Hardys and The Best Friends

Backstage News On Injury Sammy Guevara Reportedly Suffered At AEW WrestleDream

Sammy Guevara was initially penciled in to be Konosuke Takeshita’s partner against Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega on last night’s episode of “AEW Dynamite” in Stockton, California. However, Guevara was not medically cleared to perform, so Kyle Fletcher took his place. 

According to veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, who was speaking on the “Wrestling Observer Radio” show, Guevara suffered a concussion on Sunday night at the inaugural AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view. Meltzer was unsure how much time Guevara would miss as a result of his injury.

Guevara, who turned on Jericho after suffering a loss against the former AEW World Champion at the third annual “AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam” special on September 20, pinned his former buddy in a trios match at WrestleDream moments after “The Ocho” was struck with a baseball bat by Don Callis. Guevara was teaming up with his new Don Callis Family associates Takeshita and reigning IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay against Jericho, Omega, and Kota Ibushi.

On last night’s episode of “Dynamite,” Callis announced that Guevara was not medically cleared to perform in his scheduled tag team match. He then introduced Fletcher as Takeshita’s partner, with the pair going on to suffer a loss at the hands of Jericho and Omega. After that tag team bout, Callis distracted Jericho and Omega on the stage while Powerhouse Hobbs entered the ring and attacked both men.

Source: Wrestling Inc.