Category: TNA

Tony Khan Comments On Rumors Of A Brand Split In AEW

With Collision set to debut next month, will AEW split its roster between their new show and Dynamite?

AEW‘s newest weekly show, a two-hour Saturday series called Collision, is set to begin next month, June 17, from the United Center at Chicago. Much of the conversation has been about whether CM Punk will be there (the location announcement seems to confirm that he will be), but there’s perhaps an even bigger topic to be addressed for the company’s long term future.

In a media call in the lead up to this week’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view, Tony Khan spoke about Collision and addressed rumors that AEW would be doing a brand split between Dynamite and Collision, similar to what WWE does with Raw and SmackDown. “I haven’t given a lengthy explanation yet for what I’m planning regarding the future of the roster and how people will be allocated across Dynamite and Collision and our other shows. It’s a great question, certainly. I can see why wrestling fans all over the world would be interested and curious about that. That’s frankly by design that we want to build that curiosity in and get people wondering exactly what you’re asking, ‘what’s the future of the AEW roster, and what does this all mean going forward after Double or Nothing?’ It’s a really good question and something we’ll be excited to follow up on.” (h/t Fightful)

Source: TheSportster

Impact Wrestling Under Siege 5/26/2023 (Card)

IMPACT Wrestling presents Under Siege LIVE TONIGHT at 8pm ET from the Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Ontario streaming on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE.

Countdown to Under Siege LIVE and FREE at 7:30pm ET on IMPACT Plus, YouTube & FITE.

Card

Impact World Championship No DQ Match:
Steve Maclin vs. PCO

Impact Knockouts World Championship Match:
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace

Impact X-Division Championship Match:
Trey Miguel vs. Chris Sabin

Six-Way Impact World Championship #1 Contenders Scramble Match:
Moose vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley

Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw

Nick Aldis vs. Kenny King

Sami Callihan, Rich Swann and TBA vs. The Design (Big Kon, Deaner, Alan Angel

Countdown Pre-Show:

Impact Knockouts Championship Match:
The Coven vs. Death Dollz (Courtney Rush [the human form of Rosemary] & Jessicka)

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Joe Hendry vs. Dirty Dango

Impact Wrestling Preview 5/25/2023

Tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on AXS TV is all-new. The following matches have been announced for the show:

  • Angels vs. Rich Swann
  • Mike Bailey vs. Chris Sabin
  • Jordynne Grace vs. Alisha Edwards
  • Taylor Wilde vs. Jessicka
  • John Skyler vs. Chris Bey
  • Kenny King and Sheldon Jean vs. Decay
  • Sami Callihan vs. Shogun on BTI

Sabu debuts on AEW Dynamite

It had become a running joke in AEW, lights go down, and someone jokes that “It’s Sabu,” when it never ends up being Sabu. That all changed on Wednesday night. 

Sabu appeared during a contract signing segment between Chris Jericho and Adam Cole that was done to hype their Unsanctioned match this Sunday at Double or Nothing.

Jericho and Cole went back and forth on the attack on Britt Baker and then Jericho made it clear to Cole that he has more backup than Cole for the match on Sunday. Cole, who knew that Jericho would say that, said that he was going to bring someone even crazier than him and the JAS and that person would be there, along with Roderick Strong, to back him up this Sunday night.

Sabu’s music played and he took out the JAS with chair shots to the face.

For all intents and purposes, Sabu is retired, having not wrestled a match since 2021, which makes him the latest in a long line of veteran wrestlers that have appeared in AEW as something of a mentor figure. Sabu is something of a left-field choice for Cole and Strong but with Kyle O’Reilly recovering from neck surgery and Bobby Fish seemingly on the outs with the company, Cole needs someone in his corner alongside Strong, and Sabu’s hardcore bona fides make him a good fit.

Sabu has a history with another piece of AEW’s lineage, as he is the only other man in the history of Extreme Championship Wrestling to hold the FTW Championship besides Taz, which has become something of a legacy title in AEW, currently held by Taz’s son Hook. Sabu has not received a graphic indicating that he is in any way signed to AEW.

Sabu was a key part of the ECW roster, helping popularize a particular type of high-flying action that would be emulated by countless wrestlers in the years that followed. Industry veterans who worked with Sabu, such as Rob Van Dam and Paul Heyman, believe Sabu should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry, and it seems Waltman would be in agreement. During his tenure with ECW, Sabu was a two-time World Heavyweight Champion and a three-time World Tag Team Champion. Additionally, Sabu previously performed in WWE, WCW, NJPW, TNA, and countless independent promotions over the years.

Sabu was hospitalized following a medical emergency just last month. Sabu later gave an update on social media, stating that he was feeling much better.

Aussie Open Sign With AEW, What Tony Khan Did For Mark Davis

Aussie Open are All Elite.

On Wednesday night, AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter to announce that Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher have officially signed with the company. “TK” wrote,

“They’re one of the top tag teams in the world, and now it’s official: Aussie Open @kylefletcherpro + @DUNKZILLADavis are ALL ELITE!

Incredible match tonight Kyle Fletcher on @TBSNetwork on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, and get well soon, Mark Davis!

Congratulations #AussieOpen!”

Davis is currently out of action due to an injury. According to a report from Fightful Select, AEW President Tony Khan paid for Davis’ surgery himself.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1661528379030646784

Source: eWn

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/24/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • ROH World Tag Team Championship: The Lucha Bros (c’s) vs. Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • House of Black World Trios Championship Open Challenge: House of Black (c’s) vs. Metalik, AR Fox, and Blake Christian
  • Tony Khan will announce the first location of AEW Collision
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost
  • Adam Cole and Chris Jericho contract signing for their unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing
  • We’ll hear from FTR
  • We’ll hear from Ricky Starks
  • Four Pillars promos with World Champion MJF, Sammy Guevara, Jack Perry, and Darby Allin

Big Backstage Update On CM Punk & AEW

We have some new updates pertaining to the ongoing situation between CM Punk and All Elite Wrestling.

In recent months, both AEW and CM Punk have been in talks about continuing to work together. While a verbal agreement had reportedly been reached, there was an issue that arose last week over the fact that while Ace Steel would be able to work for AEW again, he would not be allowed to attend the live TV tapings for Collision. This didn’t sit well with CM Punk.

According to a report from Fightful Select, AEW and CM Punk have continued their talks over the past week. The conversations were said to have been “productive” and the feeling is that he’ll be appearing on AEW Collision on June 17.

While there were rumors that CM Punk was recently served with legal papers, it has been confirmed that several documents were sent to Punk to be signed over the last week. The legal papers reportedly involve certain subjects, disparagement clauses, and to make sure that Punk makes all of his scheduled TV dates. While not confirmed, it doesn’t appear the papers were legal “threats.” They simply protect AEW in the event that any issues come up moving forward.

As far as the location for the debut episode of AEW Collision is concerned, the United Center in Chicago, IL was still being discussed as of last week. It was noted that while Daily’s Place has been discussed as a backup location, there are other places besides the United Center and Daily’s Place being talked about.

As of this writing, the talent who will be working the debut episode of AEW Collision have not been given their travel itineraries.

Source: eWn

Cassie Lee (Peyton Royce) Returning To The Ring With World Series Wrestling

Cassie Lee – former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Peyton Royce – will be returning to the ring later this year. Australia’s World Series Wrestling promotion has confirmed that Lee will be a part of their Full Throttle shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney in October. The Australian-born wrestler seemingly revealed on social media that she would be wrestling on the tour. She wrote, “Let’s grapple! @WSWWrestlingAUS.” Lee posted those words along with a GIF saying “I’m back in the game.” 

Lee’s most recent match came in April 2022 on Impact Wrestling’s Countdown to Rebellion show, where she and former IIconics teammate Jessie McKay — formerly Billie Kay in WWE — unsuccessfully challenged The Influence’s Tenille Dashwood and Madison Rayne for the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship. A few days after that title clash, Lee and Kay announced that they would be stepping away from the ring. Later that summer, Lee and AEW’s Shawn Spears – real name Ronnie William Arneill — revealed that they were expecting their first child. The married couple welcomed their son Austin Jay Arneill to the world earlier this year. 

Lee began her pro wrestling career in February 2009. She signed for WWE in April 2015 following a tryout in Australia. Lee debuted as Royce on “WWE NXT” later that year before moving to the main roster with IIconics partner Kay in April 2018. The duo went on to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35 in a Fatal Four-Way match. Lee and Kay joined Impact Wrestling a few months after being released from their WWE contracts in April 2021. The pair departed Impact the following year after announcing their decision to step away from the ring indefinitely. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Andrade El Idolo Set To Make In-Ring Return Soon

Andrade El Idolo is on his way back, just in time for the launch of AEW Collision on June 17.

Andrade has been out of action since September due to torn pec that he had surgery for in November. Also around this time, he was involved in a backstage fight with Sammy Guevara, leading to them sending him sent home. 

Andrade is slated to make his in-ring return soon. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Andrade is returning to the ring two days before Collision premieres for a show in Mexico.

Source: eWn

AEW Struggling To Sell Tickets For Collision

AEW Collision will premiere on June 17 on TNT as a two-hour program. AEW President Tony Khan will announce the location of the first episode this Wednesday on Dynamite. 

It was believed to be in Chicago at the United Center, but if they don’t work things out with CM Punk for him to return on the show, they will go to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. 

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that AEW is off to a rough start with selling tickets to the Collision shows as none of them have sold out and is in a challenging situation with these being the first events of a show that is about to launch. 

Here is AEW’s updated touring schedule: 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 24 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Double or Nothing: May 28 – T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 31 – Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA

AEW House Rules: Friday, June 2 – Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 24 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Double or Nothing: May 28 – T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: May 31 – Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA

AEW House Rules: Friday, June 2 – Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi 

AEW House Rules: Saturday, June 3 – Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama 

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 7 – Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 14 -Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

AEW Collision: Saturday, June 17 – TBD

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 21 – Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

AEW Collision: Saturday, June 24 – Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

AEW Forbidden Door: Sunday, June 25 – Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, June 28 – FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario

AEW Collision: Thursday, June 29 – FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, July 5 – Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 8 – Brandt Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

AEW Dynamite: Wednesday, July 12 – SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 15 – Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Wednesday, July 19 – TD Garden in Boston, MA

AEW Collision: Saturday, July 22 – Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

AEW All In PPV: Sunday, August 27 – London, England at the Wembley Stadium

Source: eWn