Category: AEW

Backstage News on What AEW Requested for Billy Gunn to Appear on WWE RAW With DX

With Triple H, Sean Waltman, Shawn Michaels, and Road Dogg reuniting to close the October 10th edition of WWE Raw, D-Generation X celebrated their 25th anniversary.

Billy Gunn of AEW was noticeably absent from the reunion. According to reports, WWE considered bringing Gunn back for the reunion, but that did not happen.

Gunn’s longtime tag team partner, Road Dogg, stated on his podcast that Gunn wanted to appear and that it broke both of their hearts that it didn’t happen. He also stated that Triple H, Michaels, and Waltman were upset that Gunn didn’t appear.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer reported that WWE and AEW were in “meaningful talks” about having Gunn appear on the show. Money was not a factor because neither WWE nor AEW President Tony Khan offered or requested money.

According to Meltzer, “Khan agreed to let him do to the show, but on the air, they would have to mention he’s from AEW, or that AEW allowed him to appear or some wording, but there had to be one mention that in some form he works for AEW, just as WWE already did when they got Mickie James for the Royal Rumble this past year.”

According to the report, WWE stalled when responding to Khan and would not agree to the terms at the last minute.

Source: PWMania

AEW Reportedly Negotiating To Buy Out Remainder Of CM Punk’s Contract

Well over a month after it all went down, the situation surrounding CM Punk and the backstage altercation at AEW All Out has started to make headlines again this week. That’s after both Punk and The Elite were mentioned on AEW TV for the first time since the incident. Ace Steel, another employee who was allegedly involved in the incident, was also released earlier this week.

According to the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the potential reason we have been hearing more about how the situation is progressing is due to some progress actually being made. It’s believed the whole thing has been tied up in red tape for the past six weeks. However, the new report claims AEW is currently in the process of negotiating a buy out for the rest of Punk’s contract.

If that is the plan, then clearly the ship has sailed on any hope that Punk will be returning to AEW once he’s recovered from his injury. The two-time AEW Champion needed surgery after his match at All Out and will be on the shelf for at least six months. Despite not being able to wrestle until at least early 2023, apparently, the hang-up when it comes to Punk’s potential buy out is his non-compete.

While not specified, it seems likely Punk doesn’t have a non-compete clause in his contract. Either that or buying out the deal isn’t something AEW ever anticipated it would need to do, so a buy out doesn’t trigger it. The fear is presumably that Punk will leave AEW and show up in WWE. Something that was once completely off the table, but a lot of things have changed since Punk returned to wrestling and signed with AEW in 2021.

WWE reportedly turned down the chance to talk to Punk about returning to the ring when he worked for Fox on WWE Backstage. Even though Punk and Triple H famously don’t get along, their interests have differed so much in the past three months that they may now align. Signing Punk would be the biggest blow WWE could possibly deal to AEW, and the sour taste in Punk’s mouth from how his time appears to have ended there could have him thinking a return to WWE might now be the best thing to do.

Source: TheSportster

Ring Of Honor TV Deal Announcement Expected Very Soon (Reportedly)

An update on Ring of Honor’s broadcasting situation and a possible deal is expected to be made soon.

In March, AEW President Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor and made a rare appearance on AEW Dynamite to make the announcement.

Bryan Alverez of the Wrestling Observer reports that there are “definitely” rumors of a Ring of Honor TV deal, and an announcement is expected “imminently.”

Since purchasing the promotion, ROH has had two events, Supercard of Honor XV in April and Death Before Dishonor in July.

ROH Championships are regularly featured on AEW programming.

Source: EWrestlingNews

Ace Steel Released By AEW

Ace Steel has been released by All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on the Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed the now-former AEW coach/producer was officially released yesterday (18th October).

“So he was officially released yesterday,” Meltzer said. “So I guess that is the first bit of news out of that whole situation in weeks. There’s a lot of other stuff going on.”

Steel’s role in the backstage altercation that took place after CM Punk’s post-All Out media scrum earlier this year has been widely reported, with Steel, CM Punk, The Elite, and Kenny Omega being heavily involved in the incident. It was noted at the time that Steel had bit Omega during the fallout of the scrum.

Shortly after the incident, all five names (amongst others) were suspended, with the company refusing to comment publicly on the altercation pending the outcome of a third-party investigation into the incident. However, it should be noted that both CM Punk and The Elite were acknowledged on last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

Ace Steel was first announced as working backstage for AEW in March of 2022.

Source: EWrestlingNews

“Hangman” Adam Page Injured On Dynamite, AEW Issues Statement, Concussion Expert Chris Nowinski Reacts 

“Hangman” Adam Page suffered an injury during his AEW World Championship match with Jon Moxley. The match was cut short about ten minutes before the show was scheduled to go off the air, after AEW’s medical staff came into the ring and waved it off. This resulted in the announcers stalling to kill time as Page was stretchered out of the arena.

Page was legitimately hurt and was checked out backstage. He was then taken to a local hospital.

AEW has now confirmed that Page suffered a concussion. With that being said, the good news is that he has already been discharged from the hospital.

“Hangman Adam Page was taken tonight by medical personnel to a Cincinnati trauma center and diagnosed with a concussion. He was discharged, but will remain in AEW’s concussion protocol.

AEW and Hangman Page are grateful for the exemplary response and care of staff and local medical personnel, and are appreciative of the love and support of fans everywhere.”

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1582587399057854464

It should be noted that following the AEW Dynamite TV tapings, Jon Moxley once again took the microphone and asked everyone to say a prayer for Hangman Page. Mox went on to say that he hoped Page would be okay, saying it’s a dangerous business and accidents can and do happen.

Former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski, who founded The Concussion Legacy Foundation, took to Twitter to send his well wishes to Page. He wrote,

“Sending positive thoughts to Hangman. This was not a high risk move. Something went wrong. Ref Paul Turner is trained to recognize a #concussion or a possible neck injury & stopped match. @DocSampson13 was ringside & there in seconds, gives us the best chance for a good outcome.”

https://twitter.com/ChrisNowinski1/status/1582562894306488321

Source: EWrestlingNews

Chris Jericho Signs Three-Year Contract Extension With AEW

Chris Jericho will stay with AEW for the next three years as he has signed a contract extension with the company that would bring him through 2025. 

Variety reported the news today. AEW later confirmed it with the following press release:

October 18, 2022 –Tony Khan announced that Chris Jericho, the Ring of Honor World Champion and leader of the Jericho Appreciation Society, has signed a contract extension through December 2025, keeping sports entertainment alive and well in AEW for the foreseeable future. Jericho will also increase his responsibilities within AEW, serving as a producer and creative advisor in addition to continuing as a mentor to young talent.

Jericho, in his eighth world championship reign, continues to reinvent himself and evolve as his illustrious career enters its 32nd year. This year has been a career year for Jericho, who, on top of capturing the Ring of Honor World Championship recently at “AEW: Dynamite Grand Slam,” has undergone an incredible physical transformation over the past few months and is in peak wrestling form.

Tonight, Jericho defends the ROH World Championship against Dalton Castle on a special Tuesday edition of “AEW: Dynamite,” in Cincinnati, live on TBS at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT. Castle, who currently holds the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship alongside The Boys, was the 28th ROH World Champion, holding the championship across much of 2017 and 2018.

“Chris Jericho long ago cemented his legacy as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and we’re fortunate to have his skills, charisma, knowledge and insights in AEW for years to come,” said Tony Khan, CEO, GM and Head of Creative of AEW. “Chris has discovered a fountain of youth this year, and he’s having some of the very best matches of his legendary career against some of the top names in wrestling. In expanding his responsibilities, he’ll continue to serve as a valuable leader with our roster having the opportunity to utilize one of most creative minds in the history of wrestling.”

“I’ve been with AEW since literally day one, and in the midst of enjoying what is being called a career year for me in 2022 – after 32 years in the pro wrestling business – I am excited and proud to announce the extension of my relationship with AEW and the Khan family,” said Chris Jericho. “Working closely with Tony Khan every day is a rewarding and stimulating experience from both a creative and a professional standpoint, which has reignited my love for pro wrestling. I don’t think I would still be wrestling at this level or be as passionate about the business if AEW didn’t exist.

“As a result, I feel a great responsibility to keep AEW the best it can be both inside and out of the ring. Over the next three years, I’m looking forward to not only continuing my work in the ring, but to also focus on my ever-increasing responsibilities outside the ring, including producing, advising and assisting Tony with creative ideas, and providing leadership, encouragement and guidance for our fantastic roster. AEW is a great team – a team that I’m proud to say I’ll be a part of for a very long time.”

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1582403913709256705

AEW Dynamite Preview 10/18/2022

AEW has announced the lineup for tonight’s new special Tuesday night episode of Dynamite on TBS at 8/7C., which you can see below. Dynamite is airing on Tuesday due to MLB playoffs.

  • AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Hangman Page
  • Interim AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Hikaru Shida
  • AEW Trios Championship: Death Triangle (c) vs. Orange Cassidy & Best Friends
  • ROH Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Dalton Castle
  • William Regal interview with Tony Schiavone

Stu Grayson Returns To AEW On Rampage

Stu Grayson returned to AEW on the October 14 episode of Rampage, which was taped in Toronto, Canada, and reunited with his Dark Order stablemates. The group huddled during a backstage segment, and an extra hand appeared. The camera panned back, showing that Grayson was the newcomer. Grayson’s return could be a boon for the stable, which has lost multiple members in recent months. Alan Angels left the company in June, and Anna Jay aligned with the Jericho Appreciation Society in July.

Grayson previously departed the company after his contract expired in April, and he started taking independent bookings in May.  Grayson hasn’t wrestled in AEW since the May 2 episode of AEW Dark: Elevation.

The Kingdom Makes AEW Debut On Rampage

At the end of the October 14 episode of AEW Rampage, The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Maria Kanellis-Bennett) appeared on the show. They confronted FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler), the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions.  Kanellis stated that The Kingdom wants both the ROH World Tag Team Championships and the IWGP Tag Team Championships, which are currently held by FTR. She told FTR that Taven and Bennett are the real top guys.

The trio came to the ring, and The Embassy attacked FTR from behind. The champions were outnumbered, but WardJoe (Wardlow and Samoa Joe) charged the ring and evened the odds.

In a digital exclusive, The Kingdom discussed their arrival in AEW. Matt Taven noted that they never got a rematch for the ROH titles, and they intend to win the gold.

Bennett, Taven, and Kanellis recently wrapped up with IMPACT Wrestling; they were featured there since January as members of Honor No More. Previously, the trio were prominent players in ROH, where they won the tag titles twice. The Briscoes beat them for the titles at ROH Final Battle 2021, and the duo later lost the championship to FTR at Supercard of Honor in April.

Source: WrestleZone

AEW Rampage Preview 10/14/2022

Tonight’s AEW “Rampage” was taped Thursday night from the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Ethan Page vs. Isiah Kassidy with stipulations
  • Nyla Rose vs. Anna Jay-AS
  • Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. The Butcher & The Blade
  • FTR & Shawn Spears vs. The Embassy
  • Surprise Debuts