Category: AEW

CM Punk Debuts For AEW To Open Rampage, Will Wrestle At All Out – AEW Media Scrum With Punk and Tony Khan

CM Punk returned to wrestling after seven years and announced that he’s back, signed to AEW and will wrestle at All Out on September 5th.

AEW Rampage opened up with the biggest surprise that wasn’t really a surprise. CM Punk began the hour-long program by coming out to the ring and announcing he was back in professional wrestling and sticking around as part of the AEW roster.

Punk said, “I didn’t plan what I was going to say because I didn’t know how I was going to feel.” He added, “But I feel you Chicago. I hear you Chicago.” The fans started chanting his name, just like they did when the show began. Punk said he’s heard the fans for seven years.

Punk said, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that there wasn’t time to say everything he wanted do. The good news, he’s got the time, he’s not going anywhere and he’s with AEW so he’ll show up on Wednesdays, Fridays and pay-per-views. “If at all, through my journey, any of my personal decisions made you feel disappointed or let down, let me just say, I understand.” He asked fans to understand they understand he was never going to get healthy if he stayed in the same place that got him sick in the first place. Essentially, he needed the break he took.

“Can I tell you a story?,” he asked. He sat down, as he did with his pipe bomb that made him a star, and said he felt he had to leave. He mentioned he knew he had made a place in Ring of Honor where wrestlers could learn to love professional wrestling. He knew by going to WWE he was signing up for hard times. In August 2005, he left professional wrestling. August 20, 2021, (he) “I’m back.”

“I’m back for you.” He added that there’s a lot of young talent that he wants to be around. I’m back because I want to work with the young talent and because there’s some scores to settle in the locker room. He dropped the names of Darby Allin that he’s excited to work with — Allin was up in the rafters watching with Sting.

Punk said the most dangerous thing Allin could do is to wrestle CM Punk in Chicago. Punk said that will see Allin, Sting and the fans on September 5th at All Out live on pay-per-view.

A huge announcement was capped off when Punk said he appreciated everyone waiting. He said, “Grab a free ice cream bar on me.”

Source: TheSportster

Below is the AEW Media Scrum with CM PUNK and TONY KHAN after Rampage:

AEW Rampage “The First Dance” Preview 8/20/21, CM Punk To Debut?

Tonight’s AEW Rampage: “The First Dance”  airs on TNT at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Although not officially announced, it’s likely that CM Punk will be making his AEW debut on this show.

* Jade Cargill with Smart Mark Sterling vs. Kiera Hogan

* Private Party with Matt Hardy vs. Jurassic Express (AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament)

* Jon Moxley with Eddie Kingston vs. Daniel Garcia with 2.0

Another Major AEW Acquisition Reportedly Coming Soon

Another big name is reportedly headed to AEW soon.

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is expected to sign with AEW in the near future. Flair asked for his WWE release earlier this month, and received it on August 3.

In an update, Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that sources close to AEW, that would be alerted to such things, have noted that a “new major AEW acquisition” is coming into the company soon, on the heels of the deals for CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.

Punk’s AEW signing is expected to be announced on AEW Rampage tonight, and Bryan is rumored to debut on September 22 during the Grand Slam edition of AEW Dynamite in New York City.

It was recently exclusively reported on Wrestling Inc. that The Nature Boy does not have a non-compete clause with WWE, which means he is free to appear for any other promotion right now. He appeared at AAA’s TripleMania pay-per-view last weekend, and has been announced for the NWA 73rd Anniversary pay-per-view on August 29.

It’s possible that Flair is the “new major AEW acquisition” coming in, but that has not been confirmed.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Renee Paquette To Interview CM Punk Before Tonight’s AEW Rampage

A new edition of Renee Paquette’s “Oral Sessions” podcast will premiere tonight at 6pm ET with special guest CM Punk.

The timing of this interview is interesting as it’s believed that tonight’s AEW Rampage episode at 10pm ET will feature the official announcement on Punk signing with AEW to make his long-awaited return to pro wrestling.

The Paquette – Punk interview will premiere on Renee’s official YouTube channel at 6pm, just a few hours before Rampage hits the air at 10pm. Below is the official synopsis for the interview:

“It’s clobberin’ time when Renee is joined by none other than CM Punk, and the ‘voice of the voiceless’ has plenty to say about his short-lived UFC run, the fate of WWE Backstage and the most controversial questions facing the industry today.”

Punk and Renee previously worked together on WWE Backstage for FS1.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Paul Wight Confirms In-Ring Return, Will Face QT Marshall At All Out

Former WWE Superstar Paul Wight will make his in-ring AEW debut against QT Marshall at All Out next month.

The legendary Paul Wight will lace up his boots for the first time since July of 2020 when he goes one-on-one with QT Marshall at AEW’s upcoming All Out pay-per-view on September 5th.

Wight announced his imminent return to the ring on the most recent edition of Dynamite, but the catalyst for his return was ignited on Dynamite a few weeks ago when QT Marshall poured a protein shake over Tony Schiavone’s head during a backstage interview. Schiavone had been critical of The Factory (QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, and Nick Comoroto) and their dastardly antics in the weeks leading up to the incident, much to the chagrin of Marshall, who lashed out and tried to make an example out of the veteran broadcaster.

The following week, The Factory continued to torment Schiavone by assaulting his son in front of his eyes. Paul Wight had no intention of letting Marshall and his cronies bully his old friend and current broadcast partner and so he inserted himself into the matter. The artist formerly known as The Big Show came to the ring and hit Solow with a huge Chokeslam while QT and Comoroto got outta dodge.

On this week’s Dynamite, Wight joined Schiavone in the ring for a chat. He explained that it felt good to hit that chokeslam and said he was still hyped up about it. Before he could go any further, QT and The Factory interrupted. Marshall was clearly concerned that Wight was considering an in-ring return because he came prepared with images of Wight’s carious surgeries, which he displayed on the big screen for all to see. Marshall’s attempts to deter Wight from getting back in the ring failed, and Wight revealed that he would be making his in-ring AEW debut at All Out … against QT Marshall.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1428162490261811203
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1428163484357906442

Wight’s match at All Out will be his first for AEW. His last match took place in WWE back in July of 2020 when he lost to Randy Orton in an Unsanctioned match on Raw.

Source: TheSportster

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/18/21

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode airs on TNT at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas.

* The Young Bucks (c) vs. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus (AEW World Tag Team Championship)

* Shawn Spears vs. Sammy Guevara (who also has a major announcement)

* Darby Allin and Sting vs. 2.0 (Texas Tornado Tag Match)

* MJF vs. Chris Jericho (5 Labours of Jericho: Chapter 5 – Jericho can’t use judas effect in the match, can’t use his “Judas” theme song)

* FTW Champion Ricky Starks and Brian Cage confrontation

* Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford

* Britt Baker in action

Fans Attending AEW Rampage In Chicago Required To Wear Masks

Fans attending AEW Rampage at the United Center in Chicago this Friday will be required to wear masks.

On Tuesday, Chicago officials imposed a new indoor mask mandate which covers all indoor public settings, including bars and restaurants, clubs and common areas of residential buildings.

Starting Friday, anyone over the age of 2 will have to wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccine status, Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a news conference.

Following Friday’s Rampage, AEW will return to Chicago for three consecutive shows – Dynamite on Sept. 1, Rampage on Sept. 3 and All Out on Sept. 5.

With rumors of CM Punk showing up at United Center, Friday’s Rampage is expected to be one of the biggest shows in AEW history.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former WWE Superstar Ruby Soho Teases Next Career Move In New Vignette

Former WWE Superstar Ruby Soho (Ruby Riott) has released a teaser video in anticipation of her return to the ring. Is she AEW bound?

Former WWE Superstar Ruby Soho (Ruby Riott) has shared a vignette in which she teased her return to the world of wrestling following her WWE release back in June.

Ruby took to Twitter to share the 1-minute-long teaser video on Tuesday, August 17. In the video, Ruby can be seen hurrying to catch a train. At one point, the camera cuts to focus o the ticket in her hand which says she is traveling from Orlando to New York’s Penn Station. Unfortunately, Ruby arrives at the platform too late and can do nothing but watch as the train pulls away from the station without her onboard. As the video ends, its title, “The Runaway” appears on screen.

https://twitter.com/realrubysoho/status/1427677496263204869

So far, there’s been no official word from Ruby regarding her next move, but if the ticket in the vignette is a clue, her destination is no longer unknown. We can assume that her return will take place at an event in New York, which is where AEW will be hosting its “Grand Slam Dynamite” on September 22nd.

Source: TheSportster

Christian Cage Defeats Kenny Omega For The IMPACT World Championship On Debut Of AEW Rampage

Christian Cage is the new IMPACT World Champion after defeating Kenny Omega on the debut episode of AEW’s new show, Rampage.

Christian Cage is the new TNA/IMPACT World Champion following his victory over defending champ Kenny Omega in the opening match of the debut episode of AEW Rampage.

Christian got the won after the Young Bucks attempted to interfere on Omega’s behalf by sliding a steel chair in the ring while Don Callis had the referee distracted. The plan backfired, however. Christian was able to hit a Killswitch on Omega and planted his fellow Canadian’s face on the chair. Christian then covered Omega for the win, much to the dismay of The Young Bucks and Don Callis.

After the bell, Christian celebrated alongside his friends, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy, with both the IMPACT and TNA World Championship belts draped over his shoulders.

The victory marks Christian Cage’s first title win since he came out of retirement earlier this year. It’s also his first reign as IMPACT World Champion, although he did hold the NWA Championship during his initial run with TNA.

Christian is set to appear on Thursday’s Impact and will defend the Impact World Championship at Impact’s Emergence event on Friday August 20th, airing on Impact Plus.

AEW Rampage Preview 8/13/21

Tonight’s debut of AEW Rampage airs on TNT at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each episode is one-hour long.

* Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage (Impact World Championship)

* Britt Baker (c) vs. Red Velvet (AEW Women’s World Championship)

* Miro (c) vs. Fuego del Sol (AEW TNT Championship — If Sol wins, he’ll also earn an AEW contract)