Earl Hebner, the iconic referee who called the infamous Montreal Screwjob, has announced that his daughter Katie will soon be following in his footsteps.
During a recent appearance on the “Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw” podcast, Earl announced that his daughter will be working as a referee for AEW very soon.
Katie Hebner will travel down to Florida to referee some matches at an upcoming TV taping, her father confirmed.
The younger Hebner had initially hoped to become a wrestler before a cracked bone in her back derailed those plans. Earl added,
“I wanted her to be a referee to begin with, but everybody wants to do their own thing. It’s fine with me, whatever she wants [to do], what makes her happy. So, if it works out, we’ll have another Hebner in the business.”
While Earl said his daughter has come to a deal with AEW, it is unclear which show she will be appearing on.
Trinity has arrived in Impact Wrestling. The star formerly known as Naomi in WWE is taking her glow straight to the top with an eye on the Knockouts Championship. Trinity made her televised debut for Impact during Thursday night’s episode of Impact Wrestling (May 4, 2023).
Prior to the TV taping, Impact teased a major surprise. They spoiled the news to reveal Trinity was in the Impact Zone. Impact hyped Trinity’s appearance throughout the broadcast, and they gave her the main event slot. The time was here to feel the glow as Trinity walked through the curtain.
Trinity chose Impact, because the company has the most-storied women’s division in wrestling. The Knockouts division is the place to be for fierce competition, and she wants a piece of it. There have been amazing wrestlers through the years from Awesome Kong and Gail Kim to current stars Mickie James, Deonna Purrazzo, and Jordynne Grace. We’ve seen Trinity win championships before, and now she’s here to win more. The brightest star in the galaxy is ready to shine. Trinity is here for the Knockouts Championship.
Enter Purrazzo. As current Knockouts champion, the Virtuosa took upon herself to be the first to welcome Trinity to Impact. She credited Trinity for doing her homework. That means Trinity should know that this is the new age of the Virtuosa. If Trinity does get a title shot against Purrazzo, that is not something Trinity can just walk out on. Shots fired! (That was a reference to Naomi and Sasha Banks walking out of WWE.)
Trinity retorted with fire of her own. Stepping in the ring with Trinity will make Purrazzo wish she gets fired again. (That is a reference to Purrazzo being released from NXT in 2020.)
Enter Grace. The Juggernaut wanted to remind them that she has a title match against Purrazzo at Under Siege on May 26. If Trinity wants to wrestle Purrazzo, that’s fine with Grace. If Trinity wants a title shot, then Grace is the one she should be coming for. Trinity stepped aside for Purrazzo and Grace to handle business. Trinity exited the ring to dance on stage as the show closed.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Rampage would turn into what Dark and Dark: Elevation were as those programs showcased younger talent.
“The idea right now is for Dynamite and Rampage to tape together on Wednesday nights and Collision and ROH to tape together on Saturday nights,” Meltzer wrote.
There is believed to be a roster split in AEW with the idea of building their reported Saturday show, AEW Collison, around CM Punk as a way to separate him from those who don’t like him.
Thus, AEW will have to have some sort of roster split for Punk to have people to work with.
Punk is slated to return on June 17th, 2023, at the United Center in Chicago for the debut of the show.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com wrote the following,
“Punk will be the star of Collision most weeks, but he will be on Dynamite at times when needed. Those with unresolved issues with Punk would be on Collision the week he’s on Dynamite,” Meltzer wrote.
Meltzer added that there will be less of a split with the women’s roster due to a lack of depth. Plans are said to be “up in the air” and nothing is final. The idea is still to get people to resolve their issues.
Ahead of AEW launching its Collision show, a two-hour program on TNT starting June 17, 2023, the company has nixed its two streaming shows.
On YouTube, AEW had been airing Dark and Dark: Elevation every Monday and Tuesday. That is no longer the case, as reported by Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast. He wrote,
“AEW Dark and Dark Elevation have ended for the time being. This in part has to do with AEW signing a new deal for AEW Collision to air on Saturdays. Part of the new deal is that AEW Wrestling content will exclusively air on WBD. As of today, this doesn’t include ROH.”
AEW Dark and Dark Elevation have ended for the time being.
This in part has to do with AEW signing a new deal for AEW Collision to air on Saturdays.
Part of the new deal is that AEW Wrestling content will exclusively air on WBD.
AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Young Bucks) to speak
Four Pillars Tag Team Match: AEW World Champion MJF and Sammy Guevara vs Jungle Boy and Darby Allin
Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Bandido & Orange Cassidy vs Angelo Parker, Matt Menard, Jake Hager, and Daniel Garcia of the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Saraya vs Willow Nightingale
Ricky Starks vs Juice Robinson
Tres de Mayo Trios Battle Royal – Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, & John Silver) vs. The Acclaimed (Billy Gunn, Anthony Bowens, & Max Caster) vs.Powerhouse Hobbs, QT Marshall, & Aaron Solo vs. Lucha Bros & Vikingo vs. Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade vs. Ari Daivari & The Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods & Tony Nese)
AEW will launch Collision on June 17th, 2023 with it airing on TNT as a two-hour program airing every Saturday night.
It will be built around CM Punk as a way to separate him from those who have issues with him and vice versa dating back to the All Out incidents.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that The Elite will remain on Dynamite while Punk and FTR will be used on Collision.
“If the idea is a talent split, with one group working Wednesday and another working Saturday, because Rampage is likely to be taped on Wednesday, that would mean it would have the Wednesday night crew predominately. The Saturday crew will be headed by Punk and FTR, and the Wednesday crew by The Elite and BCC,” Meltzer wrote.
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