Category: TNA

The Hardys Announced For AAA’s TripleMania XXX

The AEW involvement in AAA’s TripleMania XXX events in 2022 will now include the Hardys

Announced at a press conference held in Tijuana on Tuesday afternoon, Matt and Jeff Hardy will compete at the second TripleMania XXX event in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico on June 18. They will take on former Ring of Honor star Dragon Lee and former CMLL star Dralistico, themselves a brother tag team.

The Hardy Boyz become the eighth and ninth AEW stars to compete on one of the three TripleMania XXX shows taking place in 2022. Andrade, Penta El Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix, Sammy Guevara, Tay Conti and the Young Bucks are all scheduled for the first TripleMania XXX event in Monterrey on April 30. The Young Bucks will headline the event against Fenix and AAA Mega Champion Hijo del Vikingo.

Missing are AEW team FTR, who are the current AAA World Tag Team Champions. It is unknown if they will be added to the Tijuana event or TripleMania XXX in Mexico City this October. Last week the Young Bucks declared they’d be returning to AAA as AAA World Tag Team Champions, indicating a potential title match with FTR soon on AEW TV.

This will be Jeff Hardy’s first appearance in AAA and Matt Hardy’s second; he previously competed in AAA’s Lucha Libre World Cup in 2015, where he, Johnny Mundo (John Morrison), and Mr. Anderson reached the finals as Team USA before losing to Team AAA (Alberto El Patron, Myzteziz and Rey Mysterio).

The brothers also have competed for lucha libre promotion The Crash, where they won the promotion’s tag team titles in 2017.

In addition to the Hardy Boyz vs. Dragon Lee and Dralistico, TripleMania XXX in Tijuana will feature the semi-finals of the ongoing mask vs. mask tournament featuring El Canek vs. Psycho Clown, LA Park vs. Villano IV, Blue Demon Jr. vs. Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and Penta vs. Ultimo Dragon. The losers of each match will move onto the semi-finals, and the losers of the semi-finals match will then compete in a mask vs. mask match at TripleMania XXX in Mexico City this October.

At today’s press conference, AAA President Dorian Roldan revealed that all the winners in the first round of the mask tournament at TripleMania XXX Monterrey will take part at TripleMania XXX Tijuana. No other matches were announced. As with AAA TripleMania XXX Monterrey, AAA TripleMania XXX Tijuana will air on FITE TV, with English and Spanish commentary.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Miro Working On New “East New York” TV Series

AEW star Miro is currently working on a new TV series in New York City.

Miro revealed on Twitter and Instagram this week that he has been living in Brooklyn, and working on a pilot for a new project. His IMDB page shows that he is filming for a TV series called “East New York,” which is currently in pre-production.

The IMDB page also says Miro plays a character called Nikolai Dushkin, which Miro confirmed on Instagram.

“Super excited about this upcoming pilot. Living in Brooklyn has definitely opened my eyes about living in a city, walking to a gym and groceries. #Dushkin,” he wrote on Twitter.

Miro then added in a follow-up on Instagram with the same photo, “Living in Brooklyn for couple of weeks. Very excited about shooting this great pilot!!! Meet Nikolai Dushkin….. and pickles, of course”

The “East New York” cop series also features Richard Kind, Jimmy Smits, Olivia Luccardi, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Kevin Rankin, Amanda Warren, C.S. Lee, Lavel Schley, Edmond Laryea, Oryan Landa, Fred Tolliver Jr., and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

IMDB notes that the series is being filmed for CBS. Below is the synopsis:

“Follows the recently promoted police captain of East New York, Regina Haywood, who leads a diverse group of officers and detectives, some of whom are hesitant to deploy her creative methods of serving and protecting.”

It was revealed earlier this month that Miro signed a new four-year contract extension, which will keep him with AEW until at least early 2026. He has not wrestled since losing to Bryan Danielson at AEW Full Gear on November 13. Miro had been dealing with a hamstring injury for a while, but word is that he’s been cleared to return for quite a while.

https://twitter.com/ToBeMiro/status/1508462267838439424

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Toni Storm Expected To Sign With AEW Very Soon, Ember Moon Also In Talks

AEW’s women’s division is about to get a serious injection of talent.

WWE went hard when it came to releasing wrestlers last year. More than 80 people were wished well in their future endeavors by the time 2021 was all said and done. Some of those wrestlers have since found work elsewhere, whether that be in AEW, Impact Wrestling, or by booking dates on the independent circuit. However, there are still a number of released stars who remain unattached.

One of those unattached stars will presumably find a home in AEW before the end of today. It was revealed on Rampage last week that The Bunny will face off against a mystery opponent tonight on Dynamite. The Bunny and the new signing will do battle in the first qualifier for AEW’s upcoming Owen Hart tournaments.

Speculation on who exactly tonight’s new signing will be has been rife, and a frontrunner has emerged with less than 24 hours to go. According to Fightful Select, Toni Storm has been in talks with AEW and is very close to signing a deal. Apparently multiple AEW stars have been pushing for Khan to make Storm All Elite, and even if she isn’t the wrestler making her debut tonight, she will likely be a part of AEW very soon.

Right behind Storm is Ember Moon who is also reported to have been speaking extensively with AEW. Moon, who now goes by Athena, doesn’t appear to be as close to signing a deal as Storm, but there is a chance she’s the one who debuts tonight. Athena has been picking up a number of indie bookings in the meantime, marking her return to the ring for the first time since leaving WWE by losing to AEW’s Thunder Rosa.

Even though some fans are calling for AEW to slow down when it comes to new signings, the promotion definitely needs to continue bolstering its women’s division. The addition of Moon and Storm would add a lot of experience and depth to the division if Khan can get those signings over the line. Other free agents we could see debut on Dynamite a few hours from now include Tegan Nox and Mia Yim.

Source: TheSportster

Tony Khan And MJF Reportedly Clash Following Audacious Interview

Tony Khan was reportedly unhappy with MJF following the latter’s interview with Ariel Helwani.

AEW’s locker room may not be as harmonious as it seems on the surface.

According to a recent Fightful Select report, AEW president Tony Khan got into a “heated argument” with MJF following the latter’s controversial conversation with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show last week. TK reportedly chastised one of his company’s most exciting young stars for failing to obtain permission from AEW’s media department before participating in the interview.

During his aforementioned appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, MJF opened up about his AEW contract status. When asked if he would consider signing an extension to his current AEW deal MJF said there was “no chance” of that happening. He then specified that it would have to be “an absolutely astronomical number” and even then he likely wouldn’t sign because he wants to test the market.

Per Fightful, AEW sources said there would not have been an issue with the content of the MJF/Helwani interview if the wrestler has gone through the proper channels prior to the interview taking place.

In the same interview, MJF complimented WWE’s revamped developmental program NXT 2.0. “There’s so many charisma machines on that program. There is. I don’t know why you’re laughing,” MJF gushed as Helwani chuckled at his suspiciously excessive praise. “They had a make out competition this past Tuesday. Gripping television.”

UPDATE:

In an update from Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the issues that arose between Khan and MJF “are now said to be settled.”

Meltzer noted that although the story is true, “there was no fight” or physical altercation between MJF and Khan.

During the interview, MJF confirmed that his AEW contract expires on January 1, 2024, and admitted that he’s not afraid to “stir the pot” until then.

“So when you’re as talented, as over, and as much of a draw as me, if I want to I can bite off Tony Khan’s fingers. He knows where his bread is buttered,” MJF said. “And if that offends somebody in the locker room, which I know it does, oh well, cry about it. Get more over than me. Oh wait, that’s right, you can’t. Because I’m literally the best talker in the business, and one of the best wrestlers in the history of the business bell to bell.”

MJF emphasized that he’d end up “wherever the money is” after his AEW contract expires in 2024.

Sources: TheSportster and Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 3/25/22

Tonight’s AEW Rampage was taped earlier this week from the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas and will air on TNT at 10/9C.

Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer
Alan “5” Angels & 10 vs. reDRagon
Nyla Rose In Action
QT Marshall Certificate of Accomplishment to Hook
FTW Championship Match: Ricky Starks (c) vs. Swerve Stricklan

IMPACT Preview 3/24/22

The road to Rebellion goes through the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders!

* Knockouts World Championship (Street Fight): Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Mickie James 

* IMPACT World Tag Team Championship (Lumberjack Match): Violent By Design (C) vs. The Good Brothers

* IMPACT World Champion Moose was given an ultimatum: Sign the contract for his IMPACT World Title defense against Josh Alexander by the end of the night or forfeit the title altogether. In the final minutes of IMPACT!, Moose delivered the signed contract – but not to IMPACT Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore. Instead, he delivered it to Josh Alexander’s wife, Jen, at their home in Canada. This Thursday, Josh Alexander addresses the actions of Moose and with tensions about to explode, there’s no telling what might happen!

* Eddie Edwards vs. Rocky Romero

* Steve Maclin vs. Heath w/Rhino

* The valiant X-Division Champion, Trey Miguel, is set to defend his title in a high-risk Triple Threat match at Rebellion. We already know that longtime rival Ace Austin will be one of his opponents after he defeated John Skyler and Crazzy Steve in a qualifying match on IMPACT. This Thursday, the final piece of the puzzle will be revealed as Willie Mack, Laredo Kid and “Speedball” Mike Bailey collide in the final qualifier. Who is headed to Rebellion?

* The action begins Before the IMPACT, streaming this Thursday at 7:30pm ET exclusively on IMPACT Plus, YouTube and Facebook. Shera makes his long-awaited return to IMPACT Wrestling as he goes one-on-one with the maniacal Crazzy Steve! Plus, Gia Miller, Josh Mathews and George Iceman get you ready for all things IMPACT on the road to Rebellion.

AEW Dynamite Preview 3/23/22

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode will air live on TBS from the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas.

Dynamite will be headlined by a big Tornado Tag Team Match with The Hardys teaming with Sting and Darby Allin to take on Private Party, The Butcher and The Blade. There will also be the in-ring debut of The Jericho Appreciation Society together, plus appearances by CM Punk and MJF. Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal has also been announced in what will actually be Lethal’s first Dynamite singles match since he debuted with a loss to then-TNT Champion Sammy Guevara back on November 17.

AEW has announced the following line-up for tonight’s Dynamite on TBS:

* Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal

* Red Velvet vs. Leyla Hirsch in their 1-1 Rubber Match, with Kris Statlander banned from ringside

* Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley vs. The Varsity Blondes

* CM Punk makes his first appearance since defeating MJF at Revolution

* MJF speaks for the first time since costing Wardlow the TNT Title

* Chris Jericho and Daniel Garcia vs. John Silver and Alex Reynolds

* Private Party, The Butcher and The Blade vs. The Hardys, Sting and Darby Allin in a Tornado Tag Team Match

Tony Khan Might Have Trick Up His Sleeve For ROH Supercard Of Honor

Tony Khan says he may have a trick up his sleeve for Ring of Honor’s Supercard of Honor pay-per-view.

It’s the first ROH show since AEW’s President, CEO, General Manager & Head Of Creative announced earlier this month that he has agreed to purchase the company.

“I promise to work hard to make ROH Supercard a great ppv + a show to carry on the incredible 20 year legacy of @ringofhonor,” Khan tweeted Wednesday. “I’ll continue to make announcements on the card; I might even have a trick up my sleeve (which I wouldn’t announce).”

Four matches have been announced for Supercard of Honor. Jonathan Gresham and Bandido will meet to decide the undisputed ROH World Champion. The Briscoes will defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship against FTR. Also, Jay Lethal will face Lee Moriarty and Alex Zayne is set to square off against Swerve Strickland.

Other talents announced for the show are Joe Hendry and Ninja Mack.

“I had not scheduled this pay-per-view, the Ring of Honor Supercard, but I really think that is important for me because they’ve sold tickets and made a commitment to the fans to still do the show,” Tony Khan said last week. “I see it as a transitional show in many ways, and I’m really excited about it because it is the first show under the new management, and it’s also a transition show before I will relaunch what I hope to be a really great, new Ring of Honor television product. A weekly series, wherever it does air or stream.”

Supercard of Honor will be held on Friday, April 1 at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. The show will be available to purchase on FITE TV and PPV.com, as well as via InDemand Cable and Satellite providers. The show will also be streamed for members of Ring of Honor’s HonorClub service.

The Supercard of Honor pay-per-view broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8 PM Easter/7 PM Central. A pre-show on Ring of Honor’s YouTube channel will begin one hour earlier.

This year’s Supercard of Honor is the fifteenth installment of the annual event. It will also be the first Ring of Honor since the start of a self-imposed hiatus for the company last December.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Brandi Rhodes Looking To Take YouTube Show “Shot of Brandi” To TV

Brandi Rhodes is reportedly looking to take “Shot of Brandi” to TV.

Rhodes has hosted her cooking show on YouTube for the past four years, starting out on her own channel and then moving to the official AEW channel. Now that she and husband Cody Rhodes have left AEW, Deadline reports that Brandi has partnered with Scream and Teen Wolf producer DIGA Studios in hopes of taking “Shot of Brandi” to TV.

Rhodes and DIGA are looking to turn the show, where Rhodes cooks and chats with celebrities and wrestlers, into a thirty-minute TV series. DIGA is currently shopping the project to broadcasters and streamers.

“I started shooting this show in my kitchen four years ago with two iPhone cameras and a cocktail,” Brandi said in a press release. “I am excited to see the show evolve and thankful for the fans who have followed along. I assure you, now that I’m working with DIGA the best is yet to come.”

“Brandi is an incredibly dynamic talent who just pops off the screen, and this genre busting concept she created is the perfect showcase for her electric personality,” added Tony DiSanto, CEO of Allyance Media Group & DIGA Studios. “We are beyond excited to dive into this project with her and share some great food, drink, fun and a hell of a lot of laughs with viewers everywhere.”

Rhodes is represented by the Hyperion talent agency.

There’s been no word on Brandi’s pro wrestling future, but she indicated in past interviews that she wants to continue performing in the ring. While Cody is expected to return to WWE in early April, it’s believed that Brandi will not be returning to the company with him.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage Preview 3/18/22

Tonight’s AEW Rampage was taped earlier this week from the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. Rampage usually airs at 10pm ET on TNT every Friday night but tonight’s show will begin at 11:30pm or soon after the NCAA basketball Tournament coverage.

* The Butcher vs. Darby Allin

* Leyla Hirsch vs. Red Velvet

* House of Black’s Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews and Brody King vs. Bear Country and Fuego del Sol

* Keith Lee vs. Max Caster