Category: AEW

Randy Orton And AEW President Tony Khan Spar On Twitter After Khan Responded To a CM Punk Tweet

Tensions between WWE and AEW escalated on Monday when Randy Orton went back back and forth on social media with All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan.

Things kicked off earlier today when CM Punk tagged Khan in a tweet promoting his appearance on tomorrow’s episode of WWE Backstage. “It IS weird trying to catch up on 5+ years of rasslin’, I’m doing what I can. There’s bright spots, mostly women from what I can tell. There’s BAD too. I’m gonna talk about it, and no one is safe. Join us,” he wrote.

Tony Khan responded hours later saying, “No one is safe? Sounds like a plane full of wrestlers in Saudi Arabia!” This was obviously in reference to WWE’s recent travel delays after Crown Jewel.

“What’s that whole thing about glass houses and stones,” Orton replied along with a news article on allegations made against Tony’s father Shahid Khan, who funded the promotion.

Tony wrote back: “I thought you only tagged me in your posts when you were grasping for leverage. That article’s over a year old + is about baseless claims made about my dad years ago. That’s the best you can do, nothing. Meanwhile in the time since that was written, you used the N word on twitch.”

And lastly, Randy ended the night firing back with: “Jacksonville Dixie: Why else would I tag you? If I wanted to talk business, I’d call your father.” He also added a kissy-face emoji.

You can see the tweets below:

AEW Announces “Bash At The Beach” Dynamite Episode, Dynamite To Also Air On Chris Jericho’s Cruise

AEW has announced that their Dynamite episode scheduled for January 15, 2020 in Miami, Florida will have a special Bash at the Beach theme.

AEW “Dynamite: Bash at the Beach” will take place at the Watsco Center from the University of Miami. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 22.

This event will serve as the kickoff to the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea, presented by AEW World Champion Chris Jericho. The nine-day experience will also include another Dynamite episode filmed on Jericho’s sold out Norwegian Pearl ship, airing on January 22.

Jericho said in a press release, “AEW’s Bash at the Beach events will deliver nine unforgettable days of wrestling and much more from the hottest company in the business today. Thousands of the Friends Of Jericho onboard the SOLD OUT ‘Rock N Wrestling Rager At Sea’ will have the experience of their lives, and now millions more will be able to watch AEW Dynamite along with us, as we break out the bubbly together from Miami to the Bahamas.”

Below is the press release sent to us by AEW today, which includes full details on the experience:

AEW Announces Nine-Day “Bash at the Beach” Fan Extravaganza— Two Dynamite shows on Land & Sea Plus Nine Outrageous Days of Wrestling, Special Events, Live Music and Non-Stop Action from Miami to the Bahamas —

MIAMI, FL (Nov. 18, 2019) — AEW today announced “Bash at the Beach,” an unprecedented, nine-day experience for superfans that features two Dynamite shows, a cruise onboard Chris Jericho’s tricked-out party ship, and non-stop entertainment in between.

The adventure begins on Wednesday, Jan. 15, when AEW Dynamite takes over the Watsco Center at the University of Miami for a Bash at the Beach themed episode, and continues with Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea, sailing round-trip from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, on Jan. 20-24.

High-octane bouts with the biggest names from AEW will be filmed from Jericho’s sold-out Norwegian Pearl ship, including the Jan. 22 episode of Dynamite on TNT. The history-making event will be bubbling with exclusive opportunities to meet AEW’s star-studded roster, as well as non-stop wrestling, rock ‘n’ roll, live podcasts, paranormal explorations, talent-hosted activities, autograph sessions, parties and more.

“AEW’s Bash at the Beach events will deliver nine unforgettable days of wrestling and much more from the hottest company in the business today,” said Chris Jericho. “Thousands of the Friends Of Jericho onboard the SOLD OUT ‘Rock N Wrestling Rager At Sea’ will have the experience of their lives, and now millions more will be able to watch AEW Dynamite along with us, as we break out the bubbly together from Miami to the Bahamas.”

Tickets for the Jan. 15 Bash at the Beach show in Miami go on sale this Friday, Nov. 22, at noon ET. Tickets for the show will be available for purchase exclusively at http://www.AEWTIX.com. For your chance to join the party at sea, sign up for the waitlist at http://www.chrisjerichocruise.com.

https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1196473473390063622

 

Earl Hebner Says “You Feel Like A Prisoner” When You Work For WWE

Earl Hebner is perhaps the most famous wrestling referee of all-time. He’s been in the business for over 40 years and worked for Jim Crockett Promotions/NWA from 1977 to 1988, WWE from 1988 to 2005 and TNA/Impact Wrestling from 2005 to 2017  He is now a part of AEW and Hebner talked about the differences between AEW and WWE when he spoke to Wrestling Inc. on their WINCLY podcast.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re in prison here,” Hebner said of AEW as compared to WWE. “You’ve got more leeway and it’s more relaxing. It felt like you were in a prisoner in WWE but not in AEW.

“This is just a more laid back company and at my age, this is great for me.”

Hebner has been involved in many memorable wrestling matches and moments. He was asked what he would pick as the highlights of his career.

“The first one would be Saturday Night Main Event when I screwed Hogan. And the next one would be the Bret Hart deal [Montreal Screwjob],” Hebner said before being asked why he considers that controversial match a highlight.

“It made a name for me…”

“I don’t think they are ever gonna let that go. It’s gotta be over 20 years ago… [The fans] wanna torture me but I’m torturing them!”

WWE officiating, and their product in general, came under fire recently with the Seth Rollins-Bray Wyatt Hell in a Cell match. Hebner was blunt when asked what he thought of that controversial finish.

“I don’t watch their product,” stated Hebner.

Earl Hebner can be seen every Wednesday night on TNT, 8/7c, as part of AEW Dynamite. Hebner’s full interview with Wrestling Inc aired as part a recent episode of our WINCLY podcast. It can be heard via the embedded audio player at the bottom of this post, or via the video player at the top.

You can check out past episodes of the WINCLY here. Subscribe to Wrestling Inc. Audio on iTunes or Google Play. Listen to the show via Spotify here or through TuneIn here.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Reportedly Turned Down Big Money Offer From AEW, Punk Is Signed To A FOX Deal, Not WWE

CM Punk reportedly turned down significant money from AEW, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live.

Punk did actually have talks with AEW, despite what has been said in the media, and he met in person with AEW President & CEO Tony Khan, according to Alvarez. There’s no word yet on details of AEW’s offer, but Khan reportedly offered “a lot of money” to the former WWE Champion.

There’s been no update on Punk possibly returning to the ring for WWE, but turning down the AEW deal could be a sign that he has no plan for an in-ring future.

Punk is signed to a FOX deal, not WWE. It’s been reported that Punk’s agents contacted FOX a few months back, which led to the initial tryout in Los Angeles, where the show is filmed each week. WWE did give their blessing to the hire, but this was a FOX decision.

As seen in the tweet from FOX Sports PR below, “CM Punk” and “WWE Backstage” trended #1 and #2 worldwide on Twitter. The return had more than 5.5 million video views across the FOX Sports social media platforms, and counting. This was also the most re-tweeted post of the year on any FOX Sports account.

As we’ve noted, Punk appeared at the end of this week’s Backstage episode after being introduced by host Renee Young. It was later announced that the former WWE Champion will appear as a Special Contributor and Analyst beginning next week, making “select appearances” in the studio alongside host Renee and analyst WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Luchasaurus Returns To AEW Television Following Hamstring Injury (Video)

Luchasaurus returned to AEW last night on Dynamite following a short absence due to injury.

Luchasaurus’ return went down after a tag match involving Jurassic Express and The Dark Order. Evil Uno offered Marko Stunt a spot as one of his creepers and Jungle Boy intervened. This led to Stu Grayson attacking him from behind.

The creepers then started to beat both wrestlers down and attempted to force one of their masks on Jungle Boy, but Luchasaurus came out to make the save.

After hitting a huge boot on the first creeper at the top of the stage, Luchasaurus made his way to the ring and landed a spin kick on three creepers at once. He also tossed one to the outside before turning his attention on Grayson.

Once the ring was cleared, Luchasaurus hugged Jurassic Express.

As we previously reported … the 34-year-old wrestler injured his hamstring prior to an episode of Dynamite last month. Excalibur noted on commentary that he was supposed to be out until January.

AEW Dynamite Preview 11/13/19

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

* SCU (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky) (c) vs. Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara (AEW World Tag Team Championship)

* PAC vs. “Hangman” Adam Page

* Fallout from MJF’s attack on Cody at Full Gear.

AEW Full Gear Results 11/9/19

(The Buy In) Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley –

Winner: Britt Baker via Submission

Post-match, Awesome Kong and Brandi Rhodes show up on the stage and then head to the ring. Bea Priestley is still in the ring when they get there. Kong with a spinning backfist levels Priestley. Kong then takes the glove off and pulls a knife out, she hands it to Brandi. Double underhook facebuster on Priestley by Kong. Brandi gives the knife back to Kong, Brandi then pulls up some of Priestley’s hair and Kong takes a hunk of it. Kong keeps the lock of hair as they both make their way to the back.

 

The Young Bucks vs. Proud & Powerful (Santana & Ortiz) –

Rock ‘N’ Roll Express was setting at ringside in the front row.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1193336713084637184

Winners: Proud & Powerful (Santana & Ortiz)

Post-match, Sammy Guevara heads down to the ring with his camera in hand to celebrate a bit with his Inner Circle stablemates. Guevara then brings a sock full of baseballs. Rock ‘N Roll Express up on the apron, Guevara and Ortiz charge and they go low, sending both guys to the floor. Matt and Robert beat up on Santana. Ricky then hits a slingshot canadian destroyer on Santana (with a little help from Matt to get him over). Ricky then hits a suicide dive on Guevara and Ortiz! Crowd pops big for those spots.

 

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. PAC –

https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1193345777944481792

Winner: “Hangman” Adam Page

 

Joey Janela vs. Shawn Spears w/Tully Blanchard –

Winner: Shawn Spears 

 

AEW World Tag Team Championship: (C) SCU vs. Lucha Bros vs. Private Party –

Winners: SCU

Post-match, Lucha Bros attack the champions. Pentagon looks to finish off Kazarian on a chair. The lights go out though. In the ring is another Pentagon, the other Pentagon gives Pentagon Jr. an STO, Fenix jumps in, “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels hits the angel’s wings on Fenix, sending him onto Pentagon. Daniels pulls the mask off and grabs a chair, swinging at Pentagon who rolls out of the ring. Daniels hugs the other SCU members. Daniels yells at Fenix and Pentagon, “Let’s finish this!”

https://twitter.com/ITVWrestling/status/1193359441028096001

 

AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Riho vs. Emi Sakura –

Winner: Riho

 

AEW World Championship: (C) Chris Jericho w/Jake Hager vs. Cody Rhodes w/MJF

(Three judges will be available as a tiebreaker if match goes beyond 60 minute time limit. If Cody loses he won’t challenge for AEW World Title ever again)

The three judges are Dean Malenko, Arn Anderson and the Great Muta

https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1193368775208423425

 

Winner: Chris Jericho via MJF throwing in the towel

Post-match, Inner Circle comes out with the bubbly to celebrate with the champion. MJF is in the ring with a dejected Cody. MJF is sad and saying he’s sorry. Cody isn’t even listening and seems pretty annoyed at what happened. MJF and Cody talks a bit, MJF then kicks Cody between the legs! He smiles and then sneers at Cody, shoving Cody to the mat, yelling “My time!” Crowd with an a-hole chant. While heading backstage, MJF gets a some liquid thrown at him from a fan! MJF stares at him for a second and then heads to the back.

 

Unsanctioned Lights Out Match: Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega –

https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1193385037556834304

Winner: Jon Moxley

AEW Full Gear 11/9/19

November 9, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET – (Preshow at 7:00 PM ET ) – Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, Maryland  – Available on B/R Live and Traditional PPV

Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD, Ticketmaster shows more than 1,200 tickets left at this link. They are going for $30 – $125. There are also two floor seats that come together, and include the commemorative take-home chair, for $300 each.

AEW World Championship: (C) Chris Jericho vs. Cody Rhodes

(Three judges will be available as a tiebreaker if match goes beyond 60 minute time limit. If Cody loses he won’t challenge for AEW World Title ever again)

Unsanctioned Lights Out Match: Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega

AEW World Tag Team Championship: (C) SCU vs. Lucha Bros vs. Private Party

AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Riho vs. Emi Sakura

The Young Bucks vs. Proud & Powerful (Santana & Ortiz)

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. PAC

Joey Janela vs. Shawn Spears w/Tully Blanchard

(The Buy In) Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley

AEW Dynamite Barely Tops WWE NXT Viewership This Week, AEW Attendance And Poor Crowd Photos From Dynamite

AEW Dynamite has topped WWE NXT in viewership for the sixth week in a row, however it was by the smallest margin to date.

Wednesday’s Full Gear go-home edition of Dynamite on TNT drew 822,000 viewers, topping NXT’s 813,000 viewers on the USA Network by only 1.1%, according to Showbuzz Daily.

AEW ranked #8 in the Cable Top 150, while NXT ranked #12. AEW ranked #31 in viewership, while NXT ranked #32 in viewership.

For NXT, it was the best number for the show since its two-hour premiere on October 2nd. It was the second lowest number for Dynamite behind last week’s show which averaged 759,000, however that episode was against Game 7 of the World Series.

Last week’s Dynamite episode drew 789,000 viewers and ranked #6 in the Cable Top 150, and #28 in viewership, so the audience was up 4.2%. Last week’s NXT episode drew 580,000 viewers and ranked #32 in the Cable Top 150, and #42 in viewership so NXT saw a much larger 40% increase.

AEW drew a 0.35 rating in the 18-49 demographic while NXT drew a 0.30 in the same demo this week. Last week’s AEW episode drew a 0.33 in that demographic while NXT drew a 0.18.

* Monday’s Crown Jewel go-home edition of RAW on the USA Network drew an average of 2.133 million viewers, down from the previous week’s 2.342 million viewers. RAW was #4 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150, with a 0.72 rating

To compare, this week’s pro wrestling viewership looks like this so far:

* Monday’s post-Crown Jewel edition of RAW on the USA Network drew an average of 2.136 million viewers, barely up from last week’s 2.133 million viewers, and the fourth-lowest non-holiday episode in RAW history. RAW was #12 for the night in viewership on cable and #4 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150, for the second week in a row, with an average 0.76 cable rating

* Tuesday’s Total Divas episode on the E! network drew 191,000 viewers, down from last week’s 283,000 viewers for the lowest viewership in the history of the show. Total Divas ranked #93 on the Cable Top 150 this week with a 0.08 cable rating in the 18-49 demo

* Tuesday’s official WWE Backstage premiere on FS1 drew just 49,000 viewers in the 11pm hour. The show did not make the Cable Top 150 but drew an 0.02 cable rating in the 18-49 demographic

* Wednesday’s Full Gear go-home edition of AEW Dynamite on TNT drew 822,000 viewers, up from last week’s 789,000 viewers. Dynamite was #31 for the night in viewership on cable and #8 in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.35 rating

* Wednesday’s NXT episode on the USA Network drew 813,000 viewers, up from last week’s 580,000 viewers. NXT ranked #32 for the night in viewership on cable, and #12 on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.30 rating in the 18-49 demographic

Below is 2019 NXT Viewership Tracker:

September 18 Episode: 1.179 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
September 25 Episode: 1.006 million viewers (one hour on the USA Network)
October 2 Episode: 891,000 viewers (season premiere, both hours on the USA Network)
October 9 Episode: 790,000 viewers
October 16 Episode: 712,000 viewers
October 23 Episode: 698,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 580,000 viewers with a 0.18 demographic in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 813,000 viewers with a 0.30 demographic in the 18-49 demographic

Below is 2019 AEW Dynamite Viewership Tracker:

October 2 Episode: 1.409 million viewers (premiere episode)
October 9 Episode: 1.018 million viewers (on TNT, 122k on truTV)
October 16 Episode: 1.014 million viewers
October 23 Episode: 963,000 viewers
October 30 Episode: 789,000 viewers with a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic
November 6 Episode: 822,000 viewers with a 0.35 rating in the 18-49 demographic

The estimated attendance for Wednesday night’s Dynamite episode from Charlotte was in the 5,000 range, according to PWInsider. A hot topic on social media has been the photos going around of the empty seats on the hard cam side, which you can see below:

https://twitter.com/JayNetwork2/status/1192245097557118977

Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD, Ticketmaster shows more than 1,200 tickets left at this link. They are going for $30 – $125. There are also two floor seats that come together, and include the commemorative take-home chair, for $300 each.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Rock Praises Cody Rhodes Promo From AEW Dynamite

As noted, last night’s AEW Dynamite episode featured a heated promo from Cody Rhodes, who revealed that he will not challenge for the AEW World Title if he’s unable to defeat champion Chris Jericho for it during Saturday’s main event at the Full Gear pay-per-view.

The Rock took to Twitter this morning and praised Cody for the promo.

He wrote, “Rhythm, cadence, tone, intent, passion, execution. Great promo, brother. You [microphone emoji] dropped that MF. @CodyRhodes”

Source: Wrestling Inc.