AEW Rampage Preview 2/16/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at a special time (7pm ET) due to NBA All-Star coverage.

  • No DQ match: Jeff Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara
  • Anna Jay vs. Queen Aminata
  • Bang Bang Scissor Gang in 12-man tag team action

Backstage Report Offers Latest Update On Jeff Hardy’s Injury From AEW Rampage Taping

Jeff Hardy competed in a taped “AEW Rampage” match directly after last night’s “AEW Dynamite,” and was on the receiving end of a nasty botch in his bout against Sammy Guevara. While initial reports suggested Hardy could have suffered a serious injury, according to “Wrestling Observer,” the veteran’s official injury has been revealed to be a broken nose.

“Wrestling Observer’s” Brian Alvarez reportedly spoke to those backstage in AEW and conveyed the news to his X-Subscribers. Additionally, his report shot down speculation that Hardy might have suffered a concussion. “The word from within AEW is that Jeff Hardy suffered a broken nose last night but not a concussion.” Many fans online were naturally concerned after Hardy seemed to be knocked out, but a broken nose could explain why he seemed dazed. Hardy notably underwent surgery last year, so hopefully, his broken nose won’t result in him taking time off to get more surgery. In an appearance on his brother’s podcast, “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy,” last year, Hardy listed his eye surgery as something he considered to be one of the biggest challenges he faced in 2023. Hardy also revealed at the time that he still suffered from double vision, but he seemed hopeful about his future in the ring going forward.

It’s unclear when The Hardys will retire, but it seemed like “The Charismatic Enigma” was well into what seemed to be a singles run, and some fans online were notably praising his recent work. If his broken nose isn’t too severe, Hardy could be back in the ring very soon, potentially working the injury into a new angle at the same time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Details On Jeff Hardy’s Reported Injury During AEW Rampage Taping

Last night’s “AEW Rampage” taping, which took place immediately after “AEW Dynamite” at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas, saw Jeff Hardy battle Sammy Guevara. As per various videos that have surfaced online, Hardy appeared to suffer an injury during that bout. When Guevara attempted a Shooting Star Press from the top turnbuckle, Hardy managed to get his knees up, but Guevara’s leg inadvertently crashed “The Charismatic Enigma’s” head into the canvas.

When asked about Hardy’s potential setback on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer provided his analysis of the incident. “It was pretty nasty,” Meltzer said. “I haven’t heard the severity of the injury, but it looked bad. It was one of those — I mean, you’ve seen them before, the knee just hit him right in the temple, I think it looked like. So he was knocked pretty silly. But we don’t know. It may not be that severe, but yeah, not sure.”

Hardy, who was performing in his fifth match of the year, was immediately attended to by the referee, with separate reports indicating Hardy was bleeding from the mouth and looking disorientated when he attempted to stand on his feet. Since the incident, Guevara has received some flak on social media, with some fans once again voicing their concerns about “The Spanish God” being an unsafe worker. Guevara had previously been criticized for his work during his feud with Jeff’s brother, Matt Hardy. The former AEW TNT Champion hit back at those claims by saying, “There’s a reason I’m doing this dangerous thing, and they’re watching this dangerous thing.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/14/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas (Just outside of Austin).

  • Valentine’s Day Texas Death Match: Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Taven
  • The Young Bucks (EVP’s Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Top Flight
  • Adam Copeland vs. Daniel Garcia – (Winner get TNT Championship match against Christian Cage)
  • Jon Moxley vs. Dax Harwood
  • Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale
  • The premiere of Toni Storm’s new film “Wet Ink”
  • We will hear from Hangman Page, Samoa Joe, and Swerve Strickland

Taya Valkyrie Wants To Bring Her ‘Wera Loca’ Style To AEW

Taya Valkyrie is interested in using more of her “Wera Loca” style in All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on a recent edition of the “Lightweights” podcast, the AEW and ROH wrestler commented on who she’d like to face using the crazy in-ring style she used on the indie scene prior to joining AEW.

You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:

On wanting to see more of her ‘Wera Loca’ style in AEW: “I’m really excited to kind of push those limits. I’ve had these No DQ (matches) in other companies, but I really want to bring that Wera Loca crazy style to AEW. I hope that I get that opportunity to show the world, show the people, why I am the crazy blonde, why Perro Aguayo was literally like, ‘Oh my God, this crazy blonde chick.’ I earned that nickname ten years ago. I want to bring that to AEW. I don’t know what that would be, the stipulations of it, but something, No DQ, with some badass women, we have so many in our locker room. I know it would deliver.”

On who she wants to face: “I would definitely go after Ruby Soho. I feel like me and her could create some absolute mayhem. I would love to have another rematch with Deonna [Deonna Purrazzo]. Saraya, I’ve never wrestled her. Kris Statlander, I’ve wrestled her once now, and she is so strong and so powerful. There are so many of us, and we all love this so much. When given the opportunity, I know we can absolutely thrive. Let’s get messy.”

Major Update On Kazuchika Okada’s Future

Kazuchika Okada is parting ways with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and it’s believed that WWE and AEW are both chasing his signature. However, the former IWGP World Champion might have made his decision already, as Fightful Select reports that he’s AEW-bound.

According to the report, the deal is almost complete and should be complete soon, barring unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, AEW officials have reportedly been confident about landing him since January. It’s unknown when he’s scheduled to debut as of this writing, but it will likely be after he finishes his commitments to NJPW, and there’s been speculation that he could show up on AEW television in the first half of March. Additionally, AEW’s creative team is believed to be bouncing creative ideas for Okada, but details about their plans are unknown for the time being. 

The report also states that Okada held talks with WWE, noting that he considered the pros and cons of joining the sports entertainment promotion. The Japanese star reportedly wants to participate in a match at a WWE WrestleMania event, but that outcome now looks unlikely as he seems to be joining the competition.

Earlier this year, Tony Khan revealed that he’s focused on the free agent market in 2024, and some big signings are expected to join his company soon. In March, Mercedes Mone will reportedly debut on the “AEW Dynamite: Big Business” special. Furthermore, Will Ospreay has confirmed that he’s coming to AEW when he’s completed his obligations to NJPW, which just so happens to be this month.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 2/10/2024

AEW Collision tonight live on TNT from The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada near Las Vegas.

  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Timeless Toni Storm vs. Queen Aminata
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Kiera Hogan
  • Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Esfinge & Star Jr
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Brody King
  • We’ll hear from Adam Copeland

AEW Rampage Preview 2/9/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • The Undisputed Kingdom (Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Best Friends (Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta)
  • The Young Bucks (Nicholas Jackson & Matthew Jackson) vs. two enhancement talents (Mondo Rox & Robbie Lit)
  • Mistico vs. Matt Sydal
  • Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander vs. Ruby Soho & Saraya

Mercedes Mone Reportedly Under Contract To AEW, Will Debut At ‘Big Business’ In Boston

Tony Khan’s latest big announcement officially branded the upcoming March 13 episode of “AEW Dynamite” as “Big Business,” following up on a tweet from the official TD Garden account earlier today. According to Fightful Select (and as anyone with a shrewd eye may have gleaned from the graphic), this special episode will feature the AEW debut of Mercedes Mone.

The report, from both Fightful and Andrew Zarian of “Mat Men Radio,” specified that Mone, formerly Sasha Banks in WWE, has been under contract with AEW since “at least early January,” and though other debut dates had been considered, Wednesday’s announcement in conjunction with the debut in Mone’s hometown of Boston has been finalized for weeks.

From a contract perspective, it was previously reported by Fightful that WWE confirmed talks in late December with the former Women’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion ,but that they weren’t able to come to terms. Prior to that, Mone appeared on screen in the crowd at AEW All In in August, leading to speculation that she might debut for the company soon after, but nothing materialized there, either.

Khan called the event “one of the most important nights ever in AEW and a night that the entire pro wrestling industry will remember,” before a graphic promoting the event adorned the screen. On the lower left hand side, underneath the TD Garden logo, the word “BO$$TON” (dollar signs and all) was right there for all the world to see, making this very much “announcing a debut without actually announcing a debut” as Khan and AEW have so memorably done before.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Sting And Darby Allin Win AEW World Tag Team Championship On Dynamite

Sting will seemingly retire in All Elite Wrestling a champion, though Matthew and Nicholas Jackson did their best to take out “The Icon” following his win with Darbin Allin on Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite.”

Sting and Allin, an undefeated team, faced off against Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the titles in the main event. The match was billed as a tornado tag and saw both teams immediately go to the outside, with Sting waiting to hit a drop on their opponents from a set of steps high above the actual ring ropes. Bill and Starks regained control, however, and sent both Sting and Allin out of the ring. 

Sting battled back in the match after Big Bill had the legend wrapped up in the ropes. Starks attempted to hit “The Icon” with his own Scorpion Death Drop, though Sting was able to kick out with the help of Allin. Allin hit a Coffin Drop to Big Bill, and Sting was able to get Starks into a Scorpion Death Lock for the win. Following the match, Matt and Nick (now going by their “government” names of Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) beat down the duo of Sting and Allin, foreshadowing what is widely expected to be their match at AEW Revolution — a match which, presumably, will now be for the tag titles. The Bucks also took out Sting’s sons who was in the ring to celebrate with their father. It will also be the final match of Sting’s career, as he announced back in October.

Source: Wrestling Inc.