AEW Worlds End 12/30/2023 (Card)

AEW presents Worlds End live on Pay Per View – Saturday, December 30 – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York.

CARD

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
MJF (c) vs. Samoa Joe

AEW CONTINENTAL CLASSIC TOURNAMENT FINAL:
Jon Moxley vs Eddie Kingston

AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Riho

AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP:
Julia Hart (c) vs. Abadon

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
Big Bill, Ricky Starks and The Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher and Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin and Sting

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH FOR THE AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Christian Cage (c) vs. Adam Copeland

Andrade El Idolo vs. Miro

Keith Lee vs. Swerve Strickland

ALL STAR EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia and Mark Briscoe vs. Brody King, Jay Lethal, Jay White and Rush

ZERO HOUR – FTW CHAMPIONSHIP (FTW RULES):
Hook (c) vs. Wheeler Yuta

ZERO HOUR
Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale

ZERO HOUR – 20-MAN BATTLE ROYAL (For Future TNT Title Shot):
Participants: TBA

People In WWE Expect Andrade El Idolo Is Returning To The Company

Andrade El Idolo appears to be on the verge of leaving AEW soon, having joined the promotion in 2021 after leaving WWE.

In October, he underwent surgery for a torn pectoral muscle and made his comeback in June. El Idolo’s AEW contract is set to expire soon, unless additional time has been added to compensate for the period he was inactive.

According to the latest report from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, people in WWE think Andrade is coming back.

“Andrade talked to the press after the match and said he’s got a lot of open doors in 2024 and he’s not sure which one he’ll choose. I do know that those in WWE expect him to return. I also know those close to him who say that he may very well go back but is also open to stay if Tony Khan makes a better offer than WWE. He would also like to work New Japan and would have wanted to do FantasticaMania in February but it conflicts with his schedule,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

News On Britt Baker’s AEW Absence

Many fans have been wondering why Britt Baker D.M.D. has been off television as of late.

She had been dealing with a lingering back issue and hasn’t wrestled since mid-September.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Baker is still dealing with an injury. 

“The reason Britt Baker hasn’t been around apparently is an injury situation. At the media call, Tony Khan talked about key people out with injuries right now and mentioned Kenny Omega, Pac, Adam Cole, Baker and Jamie Hayter,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

Shawn Spears Leaving AEW

Fightful Select reports that Shawn Spears will also be departing AEW on January 1, when his contract will expire. In a brief statement, Spears confirmed his departure, and that it was amicable between both sides.

“What a wonderful time it has been,” Spears said. “Thank you AEW for allowing me to be there from the ground level. It’s been a fantastic 5 years of growth and personal development. This is a personal choice and one that is best for me and my family at this time. Thank you to all, staff and talent alike for the memories.”

https://twitter.com/ShawnSpears/status/1740430006705180893

As with the other departures, Spears had been part of AEW since the beginning, joining the promotion in the spring of 2019. Spears, who initially gained fame in WWE as Tye Dillinger, was a big part of AEW’s earlier years, feuding with Cody Rhodes and joining the stable The Pinnacle, alongside MJF, FTR, Tully Blanchard, and Wardlow, in 2021. After the group disbanded, however, Spears found himself in no man’s land and he hadn’t wrestled in AEW since September.

Spears will still have plenty to look forward to however, as he and his wife Cassie Lee, aka former WWE star Peyton Royce, announced earlier this week that they were expecting their second child. The couple welcomed their son, Austin, on January 17 of this year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Addresses Reported AEW Departures, Teases ‘Exciting Things’ To Announce

A number of AEW executives and producers are departing or have already departed the company, but in the latest AEW media scrum, Tony Khan said that he’s actually excited for what the backstage turnover means for AEW’s future.

“I have a pretty big thing to announce going forward,” Khan teased. “Obviously it’s a lot of people I really value … I could write a book on each of these people.” Khan says that it’s challenging to have such long-time stalwarts depart the company, but he is excited about what the future holds for AEW. The AEW chief executive also pointed out that the end of the year usually sees some contracts expire and people move on.

“This Saturday night, Worlds End, it’s going to be a new group and there’ll be some new things happening and I’m really excited about it,” Khan gushed, once again reiterating that he’s grateful for the contributions of people like Dana Massie, QT Marshall, and other backstage workers that are moving on in 2024. Massie, wife of The Young Bucks’ Nick Jackson, was the head of AEW’s merchandising division until recently when she chose to leave the company after feeling that Khan and the rest of AEW didn’t stand up for her husband in the wake of his backstage altercation with CM Punk in September 2022. While Jackson was willing to re-sign with the company, Dana opted not to.

QT Marshall, on the other hand, is leaving due to what he feels is a change in the creative direction of the company, as well as to pursue work elsewhere as a wrestler.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE HOFer Goldberg Says Vince McMahon Never Gave Him The Retirement Match He Expected

WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg has hit out at Vince McMahon after the former WWE Chairman didn’t stand by a promise he made to the former WCW star.

In his recent appearance on “Steve & Captain Evil: The Podcast,” Goldberg revealed that McMahon had promised him a retirement match after the veteran star agreed to face Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia in 2022. He disclosed that he had COVID prior to the show and had to work hard to get in shape, but McMahon didn’t honor his promise.

“Vince is like Dana White. He’s the big boss and he makes everything happen. In all honesty, he gave me the opportunity to put my wife and my son on the front row and gave me the ability to perform again in front of them. So, I owe him everything,” Goldberg admitted. “Until we went to Saudi Arabia and he asked me to put Roman Reigns over, and I had COVID. I remember calling him from my house and I said, ‘Listen, here is the deal. I’ll do it if you give me a retirement match.’

“I did what he asked. As a performer that runs around in his underwear … I was 56 years old when I did this. As a human being, you’re conscientious about how you look in a bathing suit. Especially two months prior to being in that bathing suit, you couldn’t work out for two months because you had COVID. I put myself in a horribly shi*ty situation to get what I wanted to, but to satiate him and to give him what he wanted. Problem is he never held up his bargain.”

The legendary star didn’t mince words about how he feels about McMahon at the moment: “Vince is a piece of sh*t as far as I’m concerned.”

Earlier this year, Goldberg flouted the idea of possibly having a retirement match in Israel. His last match in WWE was the aforementioned match against Reigns, where he lost to the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion by submission.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Teases ‘Big Revelations’ In Devil Storyline At AEW Worlds End 2023

AEW Worlds End is set to take place this Saturday, and it sounds as though one major story is set to reach its zenith. Speaking on today’s media call ahead of the pay-per-view, AEW’s Tony Khan teased what’s to come with the Devil storyline ahead of MJF’s AEW World Championship defense against Samoa Joe.

“Well, it feels like we’re getting close to that point, and I do expect some big revelations and big moments at Worlds End,” Khan said about revealing the masked man’s identity. “It does feel like the secrets will be revealed at Worlds End, and I’m looking forward to it.”

While he continued to hype up the match and storyline, the media call saw Khan speaking at length about the success of the ongoing Continental Classic tournament, which features a more sports-oriented feel. Khan discussed viewing the contrast between the tournament and some of AEW’s other programming as an experiment of sorts, with the sports-influenced style of the tournament acting as the “experiment group” while the previous style of storytelling would be the “control group.” According to Khan, the experiment has been a success, and he intends to shift the company back toward that style of storytelling rather than continuing the exaggerated drama that has enveloped the world title picture as of late.

This week’s “AEW Dynamite” wrapped up with the latest development in the Devil storyline. MJF was scheduled to defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship against two of the Devil’s minions, with Samoa Joe as his partner. However, a video showed Joe recovering from an injury backstage, with MJF insisting to wrestle the match alone. With the help of a third masked goon, MJF lost the ROH tag titles to the minions. After the match, Joe appeared, soon revealing that he had faked the injury and made a deal with the Devil. He laid out the champion ahead of their match this weekend, which takes place in MJF’s backyard — Long Island, New York.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

RevPro Star ‘Mad Kurt’ Kurtis Chapman Dead At Age 26

Revolution Pro Wrestling delivered sad news Friday morning as they announced that Kurtis Chapman, known to wrestling fans as Mad Kurt, had died at the age of 26.

“We, at Revolution Pro Wrestling are absolutely heartbroken to report the loss of our dear friend Kurtis Chapman,” RevPro stated on X (formerly Twitter). “We watched Kurtis grow from a child to a young man who loved professional wrestling and continued to excel in all aspects of his life. One of the most gifted technical wrestlers, charismatic characters and magnetic personalities. He will never be forgotten.”

A nine-year veteran in the wrestling business, Chapman gradually built his name in the UK’s independent scene, where he later captured the RevPro Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship. Along his journey, Chapman competed in several other notable promotions, including PROGRESS, TNT Extreme Wrestling, IPW UK, and Game Changer Wrestling, the latter of which saw him challenge Matt Cardona for the Internet Championship in September 2022. Chapman wrestled his last match in June 2023, successfully defending the Resurgence Arthouse Championship in a four-way bout against Chocolate Thunder, Rayne Leverkusen, and Skye Smitson at the promotion’s The Day Resurgence Stood Still event.

Outside of the ring, Chapman also established himself as a prominent social media personality, providing his followers with many smiles and laughs over the years.

As of this writing, the circumstances surrounding Champan’s death remain unknown.

As the wrestling world continues to absorb the gravity of this news, many of Chapman’s friends and peers have chimed in on social media to share their condolences and memories of the young performer.

“I know Kurt would have loved the amount of love shown for him today,” former “WWE NXT UK” star Lizzy Evo wrote on X alongside a candid photograph of herself and Chapman. “Absolute gem of a human behind the keyboard and behind the cape. This one hit hard today. Please have the convos you wanna have and speak to the people you wanna speak to. Life truly is so short.”

ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher, who was a recurring opponent of Chapman’s, expressed similar sentiments, writing, “I don’t quite have the words for how I’m feeling right now. someone I always looked forward to seeing, never failed to make me laugh I’ll miss you Kurt, thanks for everything. rest easy.” Fletcher’s post was also accompanied by a flexing photo of himself, Chapman, and Mark Davis.

https://twitter.com/kylefletcherpro/status/1740695286161490090

Former NXT UK” star Nina Samuels touted Chapman as not only a “special and unique” character in the wrestling world but as a person in the real world as well. “My heart is broken that this isn’t just another Mad Kurt rib,” Samuels wrote. “Sending love to his family and everyone close to him.”

Recent Impact/TNA Wrestling signee Dani Luna offered up a happy memory of Chapman, in which the two can be seen laughing with each other while in attendance at a wrestling show. “The last time me and Kurt hung out is encapsulated perfectly in this photo. Talking s*** about wrestling, drinking beer, and him making me laugh until I couldn’t breathe. Miss you my friend,” Luna tweeted.

https://twitter.com/DaniLuna_pro/status/1740702772457340934

“GCW is saddened to learn of the passing of Kurtis Chapman, aka Mad Kurt. We were lucky to work with him during our first tour of the UK and we will remember him with great fondness. RIP Kurt,” Game Changer Wrestling wrote alongside a smiling image of Chapman and Matt Cardona.

Many of Chapman’s cohorts have also sent their condolences to his family and friends, including former Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry, Veda Scott, Faye Jackson, and Darius Lockhart, who praised Chapman for his sharp wit and comedic bits that Lockhart feels were often under-appreciated.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Sammy Guevara Returns On AEW Dynamite, Reunites With Chris Jericho

Sammy Guevara is back.

Guevara returned to AEW television on Wednesday, aligning himself with Chris Jericho again after turning on Don Callis and the Callis Family. Callis introduced Guevara and showcased a painting of him and the family with his new child. Guevara was hostile, accusing Callis and the family of not being there for him when he had his child or was out of action with a concussion. After Callis gave him an ultimatum and brought up his child negatively, Guevara attacked Callis, which led to the family attacking Guevara until Jericho made the save. Jericho extended his hand, but Guevara went in for a hug, reuniting the two.

The two were then jumped by Big Bill & Ricky Starks, Jericho’s former opponents for Worlds End before Kenny Omega was put out of action indefinitely with diverticulitis. The lights went out and when they came back on, Darby Allin and Sting were in the ring and made the save.

Later, an eight man tag team match was made for Worlds End where Guevara, Jericho, Allin, and Sting will team together to take on Starks,Bill, Kyle Fletcher, and Konosuke Takeshita. 

Guevara was last on television back at WrestleDream in October, teaming with Konosuke Takeshita and Will Ospreay in a winning effort against Jericho, Omega, and Kota Ibushi. He has been out of action ever since due to suffering a concussion in the match. He’s also been out as Tay Melo, his wife, gave birth to a daughter back on November 28.

Source: Wrestling Observer

Corey Graves Open To One-Off In-Ring Return

WWE commentator Corey Graves hasn’t competed in years, but the former NXT Tag Team Champion isn’t opposed to a one-off return to the ring.

In a recent interview with “Steelers Takeaways“, Graves spoke about possibly returning to the ring after being medically cleared in 2020. He said,

“The transition in a weird way saved me from what could have been. Instead of grieving over the loss of my dream as an in-ring performer, it gave me something new to focus my energy on while staying in the business. I found a new mountain to climb. In hindsight it really helped me deal with that loss.

“I have a clean bill of health now, thanks. I actually got medically cleared a couple of years ago to perform in the ring again. I flirted with the idea and am waiting for a potential opportunity if it presents itself. More of a one-time ting like McAfee has done – not as a full-time in-ring performer.”

Graves currently calls the action on WWE SmackDown with Kevin Patrick and Michael Cole. His last official match for WWE took place at a March 2014 WWE NXT live event.

Source: eWn