Category: AEW

AEW Media Partner WBD Officially Has Merged With Paramount, Will Operate Under The Name Skydance

“One of the biggest corporate stories affecting AEW is now official. Warner Bros. Discovery, the company’s longtime media partner, has completed its merger with Paramount Skydance, creating a new entertainment giant that will operate under the Skydance name.”

According to Deadline, the long-awaited merger closed on Tuesday after more than a year of negotiations, regulatory reviews, and legal challenges. The combined company will now operate under the Skydance name, with shares beginning to trade under the new branding while Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount stock listings have been discontinued.

The merger creates one of the largest media companies in the world and is expected to have significant implications across television, film, streaming, and cable news.

Within the wrestling industry, the deal has attracted attention because of its potential impact on AEW. Warner Bros. Discovery has served as AEW’s primary media partner since the promotion launched in 2019, with Dynamite, Collision, and other AEW programming airing on TBS and TNT.

For now, there appears to be little reason to expect immediate changes. AEW’s current media rights agreement is believed to run through at least early 2028, with an option that could extend the partnership into 2029.

Questions remain about how Skydance’s leadership views professional wrestling and whether the newly formed company will maintain the same level of commitment to AEW moving forward. However, AEW President Tony Khan has previously expressed confidence in the relationship, citing his positive rapport with Skydance CEO David Ellison.

While the merger marks a major shift in the media landscape, AEW’s television future appears secure in the short term. The real significance of the deal may not become clear until future media rights negotiations begin several years down the road.

Jay White Sidelined With Injury, Expected To Miss Up To Two Months

“Jay White’s injury woes continue. AEW announced on Collision that the Bang Bang Gang leader has suffered an undisclosed injury and is expected to be out of action for up to two months, marking another setback for the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion just three months after his long-awaited return to the company.”

AEW star Jay White is once again facing time away from the ring due to injury.

During the October 3 edition of AEW Collision, fans noticed that White was absent as the Bang Bang Gang competed against the Death Riders in trios action. Commentary team member Tony Schiavone later explained the situation, revealing that White has suffered an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for as long as two months.

At this time, AEW has not disclosed the nature of the injury.

According to Schiavone’s comments on the broadcast, the injury is believed to have occurred during the chaotic Tailgate Brawl at AEW All Out 2026, where the Bang Bang Gang battled a team consisting of The Dogs and members of the Death Riders. However, no official details regarding White’s condition have been announced.

Despite the setback, White was present on the September 30 episode of AEW Dynamite, which was dedicated to honoring the late PAC following his tragic passing. During the tribute show, White appeared in a pre-recorded message reflecting on PAC’s impact and speaking about how much he—and the entire AEW locker room—would miss the man they knew as Ben Satterley.

The latest injury continues a frustrating run of bad luck for the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. White had only recently returned to action at Forbidden Door in June after spending more than a year on the sidelines.

His previous absence stretched approximately 15 months after a hand injury required surgery and forced him out of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Reports at the time also indicated that he was dealing with a shoulder issue that required rehabilitation, contributing to the lengthy recovery period.

White has also battled injury troubles in previous years. In 2024, he suffered an injury during the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament that ultimately caused him to miss AEW All In at Wembley Stadium before making his return later that year and entering a feud with Hangman Adam Page.

For now, AEW fans will have to wait for further information regarding White’s condition. If the projected timeline holds, the Bang Bang Gang leader could be back in action before the end of the year, but his exact return date remains uncertain.

AEW Collision Preview 10/3/2026

AEW Collision live tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on TNT and HBO Max from Truist Arena in Highland Heights, Kentucky,

  • AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Jake Doyle
  • Kofi vs. Lee Moriarty
  • Julia Hart vs. Queen Aminata

Max Caster And Anthony Bowens Become Free Agents Following AEW Contract Expirations

Two former AEW champions are officially free agents.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, former AEW World Tag Team Champions Anthony Bowens and Max Caster have seen their AEW contracts expire, making both men available to sign elsewhere after six years with the company.

Reports had surfaced in recent weeks indicating that the contracts of both former Acclaimed members were nearing their expiration dates and that there had been little indication of ongoing negotiations regarding new deals. Fightful has now confirmed that both wrestlers have officially entered free agency.

Despite their contracts expiring, AEW sources reportedly told Fightful that Bowens and Caster remain listed on the company’s official roster page. According to the report, there is still a possibility that either or both could ultimately remain with AEW.

One source also suggested that recent events within the company may have delayed any potential contract discussions. The wrestling industry has spent the past several weeks mourning the deaths of Andy Williams and Benjamin Satterley (PAC), which may have shifted priorities away from negotiations.

Both wrestlers appeared to acknowledge their new status on social media. Caster posted a screenshot of the Wikipedia definition of a “free agent,” while Bowens shared a brief message confirming his availability.

The Acclaimed Became One Of AEW’s Biggest Homegrown Success Stories

Bowens and Caster joined AEW during the company’s early years and quickly developed into one of its most popular acts as The Acclaimed.

The duo captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship in September 2022 and held the titles for five months. They later aligned fully with Billy Gunn as part of The Acclaimed trio, winning the AEW World Trios Championship at AEW All In London 2023 at Wembley Stadium.

Their Trios Championship reign lasted approximately eight months before they lost the titles to The Bang Bang Gang. Following that defeat, AEW gradually moved toward splitting the group apart, with Bowens and Caster officially going their separate ways in early 2025.

Both Wrestlers Took Different Paths Following The Split

Following the breakup of The Acclaimed, neither wrestler found the same level of success as a singles act.

Bowens eventually joined The Opps and remained a featured part of the group until his contract expired. Meanwhile, Caster’s AEW appearances became increasingly limited, with much of his in-ring work taking place on the independent wrestling scene throughout 2026.

As of now, neither Bowens nor Caster has publicly announced what comes next, but both are officially among the most notable free agents available in professional wrestling.

AEW Collision To Air Live From Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea Cruise

AEW is taking Collision to the high seas later this year.

Chris Jericho announced during an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring that AEW will present a live episode of Collision from his Rock ’N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise on November 7. The broadcast will take place aboard the Norwegian Jewel and marks the first time AEW has aired a live television event from the annual cruise.

The ship will be docked in Miami during the live broadcast before departing for Bimini in the Bahamas. This year’s cruise runs from November 7 through November 11.

AEW previously taped an episode of Dynamite during the cruise in 2020, but Jericho noted that producing a live broadcast from the ship is a much bigger undertaking.

According to Jericho, the wrestlers scheduled to appear on that week’s edition of Collision will already be aboard the vessel, giving AEW the opportunity to present what he described as one of the strongest lineups ever assembled for the cruise.

“We are for the first time ever doing a live episode of AEW Collision from the boat itself. Saturday, November 7th, Collision will be live from Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea.”

Jericho added that fans on board will not only get a live AEW television event but also access to a large portion of the company’s roster before some talent depart following the broadcast.

Cruise Features Wrestling Legends, Live Entertainment, And More

The currently announced cruise lineup includes Kofi, Austin Creed, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Ted DiBiase, Carlito, Shotzi Blackheart, and Harley Cameron.

Beyond wrestling, the event will feature performances from Fozzy, comedian Brad Williams, live podcasts, paranormal experiences, MicroMania events, and the annual men’s and women’s Oceanic Championship tournaments.

PAC To Be Honored During The Cruise

Jericho also revealed that this year’s cruise will be dedicated to PAC, whose real name was Benjamin Satterley.

The former AEW star passed away on September 27 at the age of 40. His official cause of death has not yet been determined, with additional testing still pending.

PAC previously appeared on one of Jericho’s cruises and competed against Jon Moxley during the event. Jericho said the cruise will include a tribute to honor his memory.

“We’re gonna dedicate this cruise to PAC and to Ben Satterley. You’ve got to pay tribute to the fallen brothers and sisters, especially the ones that came on the cruise. We’ll figure out something just to make sure that everybody remembers the man that was PAC.”

The special edition of AEW Collision will air live on November 7 from the Norwegian Jewel as part of the seventh annual Rock ’N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea.

Bryan Danielson Came Out Of Retirement To Honor PAC On AEW Dynamite: A Tribute to PAC

One of the most memorable and emotional moments in AEW history took place on this week’s special edition of AEW Dynamite: A Tribute to PAC, as Bryan Danielson made a surprise return to honor the late Benjamin Satterley, known to wrestling fans around the world as PAC.

The night opened with Jon Moxley successfully defending the AEW Continental Championship against Orange Cassidy. Following the match, the arena paused for a ten-bell salute in remembrance of PAC, creating an emotional atmosphere throughout the building.

As fans reflected on the tribute, the mood shifted even further when Danielson’s music hit and the former AEW World Champion made his way to the ring. Clearly overcome with emotion, Danielson walked to the ring in tears before sharing a heartfelt embrace with Moxley at center ring.

The moment marked a significant reunion between the two longtime allies and served as a powerful show of respect for PAC’s legacy and impact on the wrestling industry.

Danielson’s appearance was particularly noteworthy because it represented a temporary return from retirement. After stepping away from full-time competition following WrestleDream 2024, “The American Dragon” had not competed on AEW television in nearly two years.

In the main event, 8-Man Tag Match: Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family. Wardlow makes his return to action alongside Mark Davis, Lance Archer, Josh Alexander and Jake Doyle. The Death Riders represented by Daniel Garcia, Gabe Kidd, Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli. The group gathers around the chair set up in honor of PAC before making its way through the crowd and toward the ring. Jon Moxley joins the commentary team as the Death Riders initially enter the match with only four competitors.

The Death Riders’ entrance music hits again, revealing Bryan Danielson as the fifth member of the team for the main event.

The Death Riders won the match.

Following the match, the Death Riders come together and embrace in the ring as the broadcast reflects on the life and career of Benjamin Satterley, known to wrestling fans as PAC.

A video package celebrating PAC’s life and career airs before the broadcast returns for one final shot of the chair and towel set up in his honor.

For many viewers, Danielson’s return and his emotional interaction with Moxley became one of the defining moments of the tribute show, highlighting the respect and admiration that PAC earned from his peers throughout his career.

While Danielson’s long-term in-ring future remains unclear, his return on this special night provided a fitting tribute to one of AEW’s most respected performers.

Tony Schiavone Offers Encouraging Update On Steven Borden Following AEW All Out Injury

Steven Borden appears to be making positive progress following the frightening injury he suffered during his AEW pay-per-view debut at All Out.

The son of wrestling legend Sting was involved in a scary accident during the event when an attempted Coast-to-Coast dive resulted in a collision with Kevin Knight. The impact caused Borden to land awkwardly on his back before his head struck the mat, bringing the match to an abrupt end.

Officials stopped the contest after determining Borden could not safely continue, awarding the victory to Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher. He was immediately taken to a local hospital for evaluation, with updates throughout the night indicating that his condition was stable.

AEW President Tony Khan later addressed the situation during the post-show media scrum, noting that medical testing produced encouraging results and that Borden was expected to return home the following day.

Now, AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone has shared another promising update.

Speaking on a recent episode of the What Happened When? podcast, Schiavone revealed that he recently spoke with Borden and came away feeling optimistic about his condition. According to Schiavone, Borden reported that he has not experienced headaches or dizziness since the incident.

While Schiavone stressed that any official medical diagnosis or clearance would need to come from AEW’s doctors, he said Borden personally told him that he feels fine.

The veteran commentator also shared that Borden reflected on his football career at the University of Kentucky, noting that he had never previously dealt with a concussion or a similar situation. Schiavone added that Borden was concerned the incident may have negatively impacted the pay-per-view, but he reassured him that fans were primarily relieved to hear that he was okay.

As for a return to the ring, no timetable has been announced. Schiavone acknowledged that Borden will likely need to undergo additional medical evaluations before being cleared for competition and described the incident as a very frightening moment for everyone involved.

For now, the latest reports suggest that Borden’s recovery is moving in the right direction, although AEW has yet to provide an official update regarding his wrestling future.

Listen to his comments below:

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-506-celebrating-pac/id1199902190?i=1000792368080

AEW Dynamite Preview: A Tribute To PAC 9/30/2026

AEW Dynamite: A Tribute To PAC live tonight at 8 ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Tribute to PAC (real name Benjamin Satterley), who passed away on Sunday at the age of 40.
  • AEW World Champion Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet (Non-Title)

New Details Emerge Following Death Of AEW Star PAC

Additional information has surfaced regarding the death of AEW star PAC (Benjamin Satterley), who passed away on September 27 at the age of 40.

News of Satterley’s death became public later that evening when AEW announced his passing on social media. The announcement came less than 24 hours after PAC competed at AEW All Out 2026, where he wrestled Andrade El Idolo for the AEW National Championship and later appeared during the show’s main event.

The sudden loss of the former AEW champion and ex-WWE star sent shockwaves through the wrestling industry, with fans and fellow wrestlers mourning one of the most respected performers of his generation. While many questions remain unanswered, new reports have shed some light on the circumstances surrounding his passing.

According to TMZ, Satterley was found unresponsive inside a vehicle outside a CAVA restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. The report, which cited emergency dispatch audio first obtained by the New York Post, stated that restaurant patrons called 911 after noticing someone who appeared to be unconscious inside the car.

Witnesses reportedly searched for medical equipment inside the restaurant in an effort to help before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

A spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office told the New York Post that Satterley was pronounced dead at 4:08 p.m. local time. TMZ further reported that an autopsy has been completed, but additional testing is required before an official cause and manner of death can be determined. The process could take several weeks.

Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald also reported that a spokesperson for the Medical Examiner’s Office said there were “no indications of foul play or trauma” and that the death did not appear suspicious.

PAC May Have Been Traveling To Andy Williams Memorial

During a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the possibility that PAC may have been traveling to a public memorial service for Andy Williams, the Every Time I Die guitarist who passed away earlier this year.

Alvarez noted that news of PAC’s death began spreading while the memorial service was taking place.

“The point is when the word got out that he had passed away, it was during Andy Williams memorial. So the people were finding about, they were finding out about it at the memorial service for Andy Williams,” Alvarez said.

Meltzer emphasized that he could not confirm PAC’s destination but said people who knew him believed he may have been on his way to the event.

“Yeah, I don’t know this, but there were people who knew him that thought that that’s what he was doing,” Meltzer said.

He added that PAC had already attended a previous memorial service for Williams and was known to be very close with him.

“He was very close with Andy Williams. And as you could tell from the Andy Williams tribute show, PAC, there were a lot of very moving tributes and his was one of them. They were very, very close.”

PAC Wrestled At AEW All Out One Day Earlier

PAC’s final match took place at AEW All Out 2026, where he challenged Andrade El Idolo for the AEW National Championship. He later appeared during the AEW World Championship main event involving Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay.

At this time, no official cause of death has been announced. Further information is expected once the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office completes its investigation.

WrestlingNewsBlog.com extends its continued condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Benjamin Satterley.

WWE And Bleacher Report Reach Multi-Year Partnership, WBD Clarifies Impact On AEW

WWE has announced a new multi-year global content partnership with Bleacher Report, giving the sports media brand rights to distribute highlights and other WWE-related content across its digital platforms.

The deal immediately raised questions among wrestling fans because Bleacher Report is part of TNT Sports, which falls under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella — the same company that currently broadcasts AEW programming in the United States. However, Warner Bros. Discovery has clarified that the new WWE agreement does not affect its existing relationship with AEW and that the two partnerships are separate arrangements.

According to WWE, the agreement gives Bleacher Report global highlight rights for major WWE programming, including Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania. Content will be featured across Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, B/R Wrestling, and their associated social media and digital channels.

The partnership will also include on-site coverage at select WWE Premium Live Events, with Bleacher Report and House of Highlights producing original content, behind-the-scenes features, and talent-focused storytelling.

“WWE fans don’t just watch. They are highly engaged, analyze every detail and debate the sport all week long. That’s exactly the kind of passionate fandom B/R and House of Highlights were built for,” said Bennett Spector, General Manager of Bleacher Report.

WWE Executive Vice President Alex Varga added, “Bleacher Report has long been at the intersection of sports and culture. Our partnership with B/R reinforces WWE’s commitment to bringing our content to a global audience.”

The rollout of WWE content across Bleacher Report’s platforms is scheduled to begin ahead of WWE Money in the Bank on October 10.

What Does The Deal Mean For AEW?

Because Bleacher Report operates under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella, the announcement immediately raised questions about whether the agreement could affect AEW, which currently has a media rights partnership with WBD in the United States.

According to information provided to F4WOnline by a Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson, the company does not view the WWE agreement as conflicting with its existing relationship with AEW.

The spokesperson noted that Bleacher Report is part of TNT Sports, which operates separately within WBD. While WBD maintains a significant relationship with AEW in the United States, the new WWE partnership is a global content arrangement and is not intended to replace or reduce support for AEW.

The company also pointed out that Bleacher Report already works with numerous sports leagues, teams, and organizations that compete with one another, describing itself as a broad sports platform that serves fans across multiple interests rather than choosing one property over another.

WBD further stated that the goal of the WWE partnership is to expand the wrestling content available to fans, not shift attention away from AEW. The spokesperson added that there are no requirements regarding how much coverage either promotion must receive and that Bleacher Report will continue to focus on the stories, talent, and moments that resonate with its audience.

AEW’s Future With WBD Remains A Topic Of Discussion

The announcement comes as AEW’s current media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery is set to run through the end of 2027, with an option year included in the deal.

At the same time, the expected merger involving Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery has fueled ongoing speculation about the future of AEW programming on TBS, TNT, and HBO Max.

AEW President Tony Khan has previously expressed optimism about the merger, stating that he believes the combination of HBO Max and Paramount’s assets could help increase AEW’s reach while expanding opportunities for streaming and pay-per-view distribution.

For now, WBD’s position appears clear: the new WWE-Bleacher Report partnership is being presented as an addition to the company’s sports content portfolio rather than a move that impacts its existing relationship with AEW.