Category: AEW

Tony Khan Comments On Rumors Of A Brand Split In AEW

With Collision set to debut next month, will AEW split its roster between their new show and Dynamite?

AEW‘s newest weekly show, a two-hour Saturday series called Collision, is set to begin next month, June 17, from the United Center at Chicago. Much of the conversation has been about whether CM Punk will be there (the location announcement seems to confirm that he will be), but there’s perhaps an even bigger topic to be addressed for the company’s long term future.

In a media call in the lead up to this week’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view, Tony Khan spoke about Collision and addressed rumors that AEW would be doing a brand split between Dynamite and Collision, similar to what WWE does with Raw and SmackDown. “I haven’t given a lengthy explanation yet for what I’m planning regarding the future of the roster and how people will be allocated across Dynamite and Collision and our other shows. It’s a great question, certainly. I can see why wrestling fans all over the world would be interested and curious about that. That’s frankly by design that we want to build that curiosity in and get people wondering exactly what you’re asking, ‘what’s the future of the AEW roster, and what does this all mean going forward after Double or Nothing?’ It’s a really good question and something we’ll be excited to follow up on.” (h/t Fightful)

Source: TheSportster

NDAs & Other Legal Things Taken Care Of Ahead Of CM Punk’s AEW Return

After All Elite Wrestling and CM Punk put their differences aside, he is scheduled to make his return to AEW on the debut episode of Collision on Saturday, June 17 in Chicago.

Last week it was reported that Punk was at odds with AEW, leading to him being pulled from the Collision promotional material due to a miscommunication over Ace Steel, who was part of the All Out 2022 brawl, being brought back as Punk was upset that Steel could not physically be at the TV tapings and would have had to work remotely.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio today that AEW had to take care of legal things and NDAs before Punk could return.

Source: eWn

Sabu debuts on AEW Dynamite

It had become a running joke in AEW, lights go down, and someone jokes that “It’s Sabu,” when it never ends up being Sabu. That all changed on Wednesday night. 

Sabu appeared during a contract signing segment between Chris Jericho and Adam Cole that was done to hype their Unsanctioned match this Sunday at Double or Nothing.

Jericho and Cole went back and forth on the attack on Britt Baker and then Jericho made it clear to Cole that he has more backup than Cole for the match on Sunday. Cole, who knew that Jericho would say that, said that he was going to bring someone even crazier than him and the JAS and that person would be there, along with Roderick Strong, to back him up this Sunday night.

Sabu’s music played and he took out the JAS with chair shots to the face.

For all intents and purposes, Sabu is retired, having not wrestled a match since 2021, which makes him the latest in a long line of veteran wrestlers that have appeared in AEW as something of a mentor figure. Sabu is something of a left-field choice for Cole and Strong but with Kyle O’Reilly recovering from neck surgery and Bobby Fish seemingly on the outs with the company, Cole needs someone in his corner alongside Strong, and Sabu’s hardcore bona fides make him a good fit.

Sabu has a history with another piece of AEW’s lineage, as he is the only other man in the history of Extreme Championship Wrestling to hold the FTW Championship besides Taz, which has become something of a legacy title in AEW, currently held by Taz’s son Hook. Sabu has not received a graphic indicating that he is in any way signed to AEW.

Sabu was a key part of the ECW roster, helping popularize a particular type of high-flying action that would be emulated by countless wrestlers in the years that followed. Industry veterans who worked with Sabu, such as Rob Van Dam and Paul Heyman, believe Sabu should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry, and it seems Waltman would be in agreement. During his tenure with ECW, Sabu was a two-time World Heavyweight Champion and a three-time World Tag Team Champion. Additionally, Sabu previously performed in WWE, WCW, NJPW, TNA, and countless independent promotions over the years.

Sabu was hospitalized following a medical emergency just last month. Sabu later gave an update on social media, stating that he was feeling much better.

Aussie Open Sign With AEW, What Tony Khan Did For Mark Davis

Aussie Open are All Elite.

On Wednesday night, AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter to announce that Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher have officially signed with the company. “TK” wrote,

“They’re one of the top tag teams in the world, and now it’s official: Aussie Open @kylefletcherpro + @DUNKZILLADavis are ALL ELITE!

Incredible match tonight Kyle Fletcher on @TBSNetwork on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, and get well soon, Mark Davis!

Congratulations #AussieOpen!”

Davis is currently out of action due to an injury. According to a report from Fightful Select, AEW President Tony Khan paid for Davis’ surgery himself.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1661528379030646784

Source: eWn

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/24/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • ROH World Tag Team Championship: The Lucha Bros (c’s) vs. Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • House of Black World Trios Championship Open Challenge: House of Black (c’s) vs. Metalik, AR Fox, and Blake Christian
  • Tony Khan will announce the first location of AEW Collision
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost
  • Adam Cole and Chris Jericho contract signing for their unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing
  • We’ll hear from FTR
  • We’ll hear from Ricky Starks
  • Four Pillars promos with World Champion MJF, Sammy Guevara, Jack Perry, and Darby Allin

Big Backstage Update On CM Punk & AEW

We have some new updates pertaining to the ongoing situation between CM Punk and All Elite Wrestling.

In recent months, both AEW and CM Punk have been in talks about continuing to work together. While a verbal agreement had reportedly been reached, there was an issue that arose last week over the fact that while Ace Steel would be able to work for AEW again, he would not be allowed to attend the live TV tapings for Collision. This didn’t sit well with CM Punk.

According to a report from Fightful Select, AEW and CM Punk have continued their talks over the past week. The conversations were said to have been “productive” and the feeling is that he’ll be appearing on AEW Collision on June 17.

While there were rumors that CM Punk was recently served with legal papers, it has been confirmed that several documents were sent to Punk to be signed over the last week. The legal papers reportedly involve certain subjects, disparagement clauses, and to make sure that Punk makes all of his scheduled TV dates. While not confirmed, it doesn’t appear the papers were legal “threats.” They simply protect AEW in the event that any issues come up moving forward.

As far as the location for the debut episode of AEW Collision is concerned, the United Center in Chicago, IL was still being discussed as of last week. It was noted that while Daily’s Place has been discussed as a backup location, there are other places besides the United Center and Daily’s Place being talked about.

As of this writing, the talent who will be working the debut episode of AEW Collision have not been given their travel itineraries.

Source: eWn

Andrade El Idolo Set To Make In-Ring Return Soon

Andrade El Idolo is on his way back, just in time for the launch of AEW Collision on June 17.

Andrade has been out of action since September due to torn pec that he had surgery for in November. Also around this time, he was involved in a backstage fight with Sammy Guevara, leading to them sending him sent home. 

Andrade is slated to make his in-ring return soon. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Andrade is returning to the ring two days before Collision premieres for a show in Mexico.

Source: eWn

AEW Struggling To Sell Tickets For Collision

AEW Collision will premiere on June 17 on TNT as a two-hour program. AEW President Tony Khan will announce the location of the first episode this Wednesday on Dynamite. 

It was believed to be in Chicago at the United Center, but if they don’t work things out with CM Punk for him to return on the show, they will go to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. 

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that AEW is off to a rough start with selling tickets to the Collision shows as none of them have sold out and is in a challenging situation with these being the first events of a show that is about to launch. 

Here is AEW’s updated touring schedule: 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 24 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Double or Nothing: May 28 – T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 31 – Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA

AEW House Rules: Friday, June 2 – Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 24 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Double or Nothing: May 28 – T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 31 – Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA

AEW House Rules: Friday, June 2 – Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi 

AEW House Rules: Saturday, June 3 – Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 7 – Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 14 -Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

AEW Collision: Saturday, June 17 – TBD

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 21 – Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

AEW Collision: Saturday, June 24 – Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

AEW Forbidden Door: Sunday, June 25 – Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 28 – FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario

AEW Collision: Thursday, June 29 – FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, July 5 – Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 8 – Brandt Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

AEW Dynamite: Wednesday, July 12 – SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 15 – Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, July 19 – TD Garden in Boston, MA

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 22 – Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

AEW All In PPV: Sunday, August 27 – London, England at the Wembley Stadium

Source: eWn

AEW Fight Forever Set For June 27 Release, Official Announcement Expected Next Week

After more than a few delays, the long wait for AEW’s first console video game — AEW Fight Forever — is nearing its end. According to Fightful Select, the game is set for a June 27 release date — two days after the cross-promotional Forbidden Door pay-per-view with NJPW; the official announcement is expected in the next week. 

This morning, GameRanx had flagged that French retailer Just For Games had switched the release day to June 27, and now it looks like that was not in error. It had become clear earlier in the week that the release was imminent when the Xbox store started listing the game’s achievement trophies and allowed players to start the pre-installation process. Now we know why.

AEW announced the formation of AEW Games and the console game project in November 2020. Additionally, the key details offered then were that longtime wrestling game developer Yuke’s would be involved, something along the lines of 2000’s WWF No Mercy game was the target, and No Mercy director Hideyuki “Geta” Iwashita was on-board in some capacity.

A preview version of the game was available to play at industry trade shows like GamesCom last summer and retailers started taking pre-orders for the game, but no release date was ever claimed on the calendar. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The First AEW Collision Taping Location Will Depend On CM Punk’s Status

AEW Collision will be premiering on June 17 on the TNT Network.

While AEW President Tony Khan announced five upcoming TV taping locations for the new show on last week’s episode of Dynamite, he failed to mention the venue and location for the debut episode on June 17th. That announcement will be coming next week instead.

While the original plan was to hold the taping at the United Center in Chicago, IL, it’s all going to depend on whether the company can agree to terms with CM Punk on a return. If a deal can’t be reached, there is talk of having the first episode of the show airing elsewhere. The company would likely run a smaller venue and it may not be in the Chicago market. This is due to some concern that the fans would “hijack” the show as they’d expect CM Punk to show up whether he’s advertised or not.

For those wondering, Punk and AEW have both been in contact since he was pulled from the Collision announcement. Those talks are ongoing and the hope is that something will be worked out soon.

Source: eWn