Murder Machines (Lance Archer & Brian Cage) vs. Iron Savages (Beefcake Boulder & Bulk Bronson)
Queen Aminata vs. Lady Frost
Sidney Akeem vs. Serpentico
Grizzled Young Veterans and Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty) vs. Dark Order (Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds) and Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven)
It looks like “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona might be closer than ever to a major return to the big leagues. According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, AEW has officially offered Cardona a contract, with discussions reportedly nearing the finish line. While it’s unclear if the deal has been signed yet, Meltzer noted, “I know he was offered a contract. I don’t know if he signed. I guess maybe [he’s] close, yeah.”
If this deal comes through, it would mark Cardona’s first long-term contract with a major promotion since his WWE release in 2020. Cardona has been one of the busiest and most talked-about names on the independent scene since then, building a reputation in promotions like GCW, NWA, and IMPACT Wrestling. Now, he’s making waves again through a storyline with Chris Jericho that has been turning heads across AEW and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH).
AEW Merch and ROH Spotlights
Further fueling speculation about Cardona’s future, AEW has started selling official Matt Cardona merchandise through its online store. The shirt, featuring a skull rocking Cardona’s signature headband and the text “Alwayz Ready,” includes a notable detail in the fine print: “All Merchandise is owned by Ring of Honor.” This suggests that while Cardona may technically be signed to ROH, AEW’s flexible contracts would still allow him to make appearances on both platforms.
Cardona’s recent presence in ROH has been significant. On December 5, he stepped into the spotlight to challenge ROH World Champion Chris Jericho, setting up a showdown at Final Battle on December 20. Adding even more fuel to their feud, Jericho crashed Cardona’s December 14 booking at GCW, disguised in a hoodie and face bandana. Jericho blindsided Cardona with a baseball bat shot, allowing Effy to pick up the victory. But Jericho wasn’t done — after revealing his identity, he left Effy lying with a Judas Effect, adding an exclamation point to the chaos.
AEW Rampage Momentum
In AEW itself, Cardona has also been picking up momentum. On the December 13 episode of AEW Rampage, he secured a victory against rising star Bryan Keith. This win and the ongoing angle with Jericho suggest AEW may already be positioning Cardona for bigger things. However, if he does sign on the dotted line, the current story developments indicate that Cardona might see his primary role in ROH — at least for now — while still having the flexibility to shine under the AEW banner when Tony Khan and his creative team see fit.
A Long-Awaited Spotlight
For Matt Cardona, a major AEW/ROH contract would be the culmination of years of hustle and reinvention since his WWE departure. Cardona has proven himself as a versatile performer, capable of working as both a dominant main-eventer and an entertaining heel. From his hardcore battles in GCW to his indie world championships, Cardona has shown he can thrive anywhere. Now, as his feud with Jericho picks up steam, fans will be watching closely to see how this storyline unfolds — and where exactly Alwayz Ready ends up in AEW and ROH’s expanding universe.
With Final Battle just around the corner and the AEW/ROH machine gaining momentum, Cardona’s next move could be one of the biggest stories of the month. Stay tuned!
Chris Jericho isn’t waiting until ROH Final Battle on December 20 to send a message to his challenger, Matt Cardona. The ROH World Champion made his presence felt in surprising fashion at GCW Highest in the Room 3 in Los Angeles this weekend, ambushing Cardona during the main event. Cardona, who was battling Effy, found himself blindsided by the “King of New York” as Jericho sent a clear warning ahead of their title clash.
The shocking moment quickly made waves, and Jericho took to Instagram afterward to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the ambush came together. Alongside the video, Jericho addressed his rival directly in a caption dripping with confidence: “…Hi @themattcardona, you didn’t think that the King of New York would pop up in Los Angeles at your @gamechangerwrestling Indy Event, did you? You made a big mistake forgetting who you’re dealing with……I always get my man! See you at #rohfinalbattle. @aew @ringofhonor.”
Jericho’s attack wasn’t just about intimidation; it also carried a shot of controversy. After the beatdown, Jericho revealed an AEW t-shirt to a chorus of boos from the GCW faithful. This reaction comes amid tensions between AEW and GCW, stemming from past disagreements. AEW President Tony Khan notably pulled Ricky Starks from GCW shows following critical comments made by Effy about Khan’s father. Willie Mack, who was also removed from GCW events, was rumored to have made the call himself, though the situation remains somewhat murky.
For Jericho, these kinds of unexpected appearances have become a trademark since his WWE departure in 2017. He’s no stranger to crossing promotional boundaries to make a statement. Fans will remember his 2018 NJPW attack on Kenny Omega, as well as his shocking appearance at the inaugural All In, where he disguised himself as Pentagon Jr. to surprise Omega again. More recently, Jericho ambushed Will Ospreay at a 2023 RevPro event while disguised as NJPW star BUSHI, and the Jericho Appreciation Society turned heads with a surprise showing at a PWG event earlier this year.
With ROH Final Battle looming, Jericho’s sneak attack has already tilted the psychological advantage in his favor. For Matt Cardona, the ambush serves as a painful reminder of the mind games and unpredictability that Jericho brings to any title defense.
The question now is whether Cardona will have a response ahead of their showdown. Jericho may have struck first, but if history has taught us anything, the “Indy God” isn’t one to back down without a fight. Final Battle just got even more personal, and fans won’t want to miss how this rivalry unfolds.
Since purchasing Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2022, Tony Khan has worked to breathe new life into the historic promotion. Operating primarily as a streaming brand under the AEW umbrella, ROH has carved out its niche through weekly content and a loyal subscriber base. Now, it seems the company could be on the verge of its next big step: a television deal.
Speaking on Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, AEW and ROH CEO Tony Khan confirmed that he’s actively negotiating for a TV partnership.
“There’s a great opportunity to grow Ring of Honor as we grow AEW,” Khan said. “AEW just secured this huge media rights deal, and it’s a complementary thing to have another great wrestling promotion with that history. I do think there’s a lot of interest right now in Ring of Honor. I’ve had great conversations about TV partnerships with ROH.”
Signs of Momentum for ROH
One notable clue pointing to Khan’s pursuit of a TV deal is Chris Jericho’s involvement as ROH World Champion. Jericho recently defeated Mark Briscoe on AEW Dynamite in October to kick off his second reign with the title. The last time Jericho held the ROH World Championship in 2022, there were similar rumors about the promotion being shopped for a television deal. While nothing materialized back then, Khan opted to revamp ROH’s streaming service to sustain the brand.
With Jericho back in the spotlight holding ROH gold, his star power could be Khan’s play to showcase ROH to potential TV partners.
Athena: The Backbone of ROH’s Women’s Division
Beyond Jericho, Athena has been another cornerstone of ROH’s resurgence. The former WWE standout has held the ROH Women’s World Championship for a staggering 730 days, with an impressive 24 successful defenses to her name. Since claiming the title in 2022, Athena has primarily remained exclusive to ROH, further solidifying her as a foundational piece of the brand.
Her dominance as champion highlights the company’s ability to feature top-tier talent and build its own stars, which could add value as Khan courts network interest.
What’s Next for ROH?
While details remain under wraps, Tony Khan’s comments signal that progress is being made. With AEW’s recent success in securing a lucrative media rights deal, the timing could be perfect for ROH to land its own television home. For fans, a potential TV deal would elevate ROH’s exposure, giving the promotion the platform it deserves while continuing its legacy as a breeding ground for future wrestling stars.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see if ROH finally makes its long-awaited return to television. But with Tony Khan at the helm and names like Jericho and Athena leading the charge, the future certainly looks bright for Ring of Honor.
AEW President Tony Khan recently shed light on the future of Ring of Honor (ROH) during an appearance on the “Sports Guys Talk Wrestling” podcast. Khan, who acquired ROH in 2022, expressed optimism about the brand’s trajectory, hinting at ongoing discussions surrounding a potential television partnership for the historic promotion.
Khan emphasized the importance of ROH as part of the broader wrestling landscape, particularly alongside AEW’s rapid growth. He stated:
“It’s a great company. I love ROH, and I think that really, for us, it’s important to look at… there’s a great opportunity to grow Ring of Honor as we grow AEW. AEW just secured this huge media rights deal, and it’s a complimentary thing to have another great wrestling promotion with that history.”
Growing Opportunities for ROH
Khan went on to reveal that significant interest has emerged in Ring of Honor, both for streaming and traditional television platforms. He continued:
“I do think there’s a lot of interest right now in Ring of Honor. I’ve had great conversations about TV partnerships with ROH, and I think as AEW continues to grow, there’s going to be more great opportunities for ROH in streaming and television.”
This update is promising for ROH fans, who have eagerly awaited news regarding the promotion’s long-term direction since Khan’s acquisition. While ROH has seen consistent content delivery through its HonorClub streaming platform, many fans have expressed hopes for a more mainstream TV presence that could elevate the brand to new heights.
The Value of ROH in AEW’s Ecosystem
Khan’s comments also highlight his vision of ROH as a complementary product to AEW, rather than a competitor. With AEW recently securing a lucrative media rights deal, ROH could benefit from the momentum AEW has built as a growing force in pro wrestling. The rich legacy of ROH, which has served as a launching pad for some of wrestling’s biggest stars, positions it as a valuable asset for any network looking to expand its sports or entertainment portfolio.
What’s Next for ROH?
While no specific details have been confirmed, the news of “great conversations” about a TV partnership is encouraging. Whether this results in a deal for linear television, expanded streaming options, or both, it’s clear Khan sees a bright future for the promotion.
For now, ROH continues to thrive through HonorClub and AEW crossover storylines, but a formal TV deal could provide the boost needed to reestablish ROH as a major player in the wrestling world. Stay tuned for updates as Tony Khan continues to build out the next chapter of Ring of Honor’s storied history.
Maria Kanellis, a beloved figure in AEW and ROH, has shared an uplifting health update after months of concern surrounding a rare medical diagnosis. Back in July, Kanellis revealed that doctors had discovered a mass on her adrenal gland, later identified as a pheochromocytoma—a rare tumor affecting only 8 out of every 1,000,000 people.
This type of tumor can cause dangerous spikes in adrenaline, impacting vital functions like blood pressure and heart rate. In October, Kanellis underwent surgery to remove the tumor but experienced complications during her recovery. Despite the challenges, she remained positive and determined, supported by fans and the wrestling community.
Yesterday, Kanellis took to her X account (formerly Twitter) to deliver the news everyone was hoping for:
“Hello. I wanted to give you guys an update. I know it’s been a little bit. It took a little bit for the pathology to get back, but I wanted to let you guys know that I am cancer-free. The tumor was not cancerous. We are so incredibly grateful and thankful to be moving into this holiday season cancer-free and to not have that worry. Thank you so much for all of the well-wishes and the prayers.”
The diagnosis and treatment were undoubtedly daunting, but Kanellis’ announcement brings hope and relief not only to her family and fans but also to those who may be battling similar health challenges. Her journey serves as a testament to resilience and the power of a supportive community.
As she celebrates this milestone, Kanellis can now look forward to focusing on her family and career without the shadow of this rare condition hanging over her. With the holiday season upon us, her news is a reminder of what truly matters—health, gratitude, and the strength to overcome life’s obstacles.
ROH Women’s TV Championship – Street Fight: Red Velvet (c) vs. Diamante
Abadon vs. Viva Van
Josh Woods vs. Komander
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Aaron Solo
Sammy Guevara & Dustin Rhodes in action
The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch) in action
Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) vs. Dark Order (John Silver & Alex Reynolds) vs. Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
Emergency MEM with Athena, Billie Starkz, & Lexy Nair
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