Tony Khan Allowing The AEW Roster To Skip Dynamite To Attend Bray Wyatt’s Services

There could be a few top names missing from this week’s or next week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, as Tony Khan is allowing any talents in his promotion who want to attend Bray Wyatt’s services to do just that.

According to a report from Fightful, Khan notified the entire roster on Monday that they are not required to attend AEW Dynamite if they want to attend the services for Windham Rotunda. The AEW President is more than willing to re-write episodes of Dynamite if need be.

As of this writing, there is no word on when Bray Wyatt’s services will be taking place but many talents who will be attending the services will need some travel time.

Source: eWn

Major Backstage Update On The CM Punk-Jack Perry Fight

As you all know by now, CM Punk and Jack Perry were involved in a physical confrontation at Sunday’s AEW All In 2023 pay-per-view event.

According to a report from PW Torch, CM Punk was threatening to quit All Elite Wrestling in the “heat of the moment.” Punk was said to have been incredibly frustrated backstage after the incident and was fiercely defending himself.

Multiple sources say CM Punk has made it crystal clear that he wants a drama-free locker room environment, which is something he has largely achieved on AEW Collision due to the fact that there’s a lot of people he likes working on the brand. Of course, there have been a few exceptions. It’s become abundantly clear that Punk controls the Collision locker-room and is able to put restrictions on who is and isn’t allowed to be in it.

The report notes that several people on the AEW production team were notified at the last minute that they may have to change the match order of All In 2023 because of the incident. Of course, CM Punk and Samoa Joe kicked off the show and the incident came just minutes beforehand. There was brief concern that there’d have to be a delay in the start of the show as they scrambled to get the graphics ready for a different match. It was said that Punk was quickly able to regroup and the match went on as scheduled.

As far as the altercation itself is concerned, it is said that CM Punk was watching the Jack Perry vs. HOOK “Zero Hour” kickoff match on a monitor backstage. So clearly, he heard Perry’s comments about the limo windshield being “real glass.” Punk reportedly asked Perry if there was a problem when he came through the curtain. Perry told Punk that he started something online a few weeks ago and if he had a problem with what he said on camera, he should “do something about it.” This led to a shoving match between both men and an eventual choke by CM Punk. There are conflicting reports as to whether a punch was thrown.

The belief is that the online incident Perry was referring to has to do with Punk’s camp purposely leaking the glass incident story to make Perry look bad. As we previously reported here on eWn, the two men got into a verbal altercation after Punk told Perry that’s not something they do on the Collision brand and if he had a problem with it, he could go back and work Wednesdays. Sources from CM Punk’s side say he was simply providing “veteran wisdom” to steer him away from that type of violence.

Perry reportedly believes that the story being leaked was done by CM Punk and his camp to “show him up or embarrass him.” This is the reason why he used the “Zero Hour” pre-show to “fire back” with some unscripted and unapproved comments.

One veteran wrestler stated that AEW President Tony Khan has no control and has fostered an environment where younger wrestlers feel that they are free to “go into business for themselves.” Another veteran wrestler says Punk overreacted here and should have let it go.

At this point, most of the blame for this latest incident is being placed on Jack Perry, although there are others who feel otherwise because they’re close to CM Punk. But overall, it was said that Jack Perry knew exactly what he was going to get himself into with his unscripted comments.

Many people in AEW are upset over the incident and believe everyone should have been talking about what they accomplished with All In 2023.

Finally, there is an internal investigation underway and both men are reportedly suspended from All Elite Wrestling for the time being. Most believe Perry will face more ramifications than Punk.

Source: eWn

Report – Major Impact Wrestling Production Changes Are Coming Soon, What’s Going Down?

Impact Wrestling will be making some big changes to its production facilities at Skyway Studios in Nashville, TN, which has caused some changes in their taping schedule.

According to a report from Pwinsider, a talent and crew meeting was held before Monday night’s TV tapings in Toronto, Canada. During the meeting, it was announced that “massive upgrades” will be coming to Impact’s production facility this fall to bring “state-of-the-art production technology and advances.”

Due to the renovation, it will simply not be possible to edit and produce. It is said that the process will take around a month to complete. Additionally, it’ll take a few additional weeks to get the staff used to the upgraded system. Several sister companies are expected to assist with Impact’s production while the upgrades are being completed.

The TV tapings for the remainder of the year will undergo some changes as a result of the upgrades taking place. As far as the near future is concerned, there will be no conventional TV tapings taking place. Instead, the company will be taping TV at live events.

The upgrade process will also include less talents being used in the coming months. Anthem will be paying “day rate” talent for extra days for the rest of 2023 to help make up for the missing days.

Most of Impact Wrestling’s upcoming UK events will be taped for episodes of IMPACT! on AXS TV. Additionally, there will be a new IPWF 80s-style throwback taping in Toronto. That show will take place on November 11th at Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy. Impact Wrestling will also being holding a joint show with Lucha Libre AAA in Mexico in November which will air as an episode of IMPACT! on AXS TV.

The Final Resolution 2023 pay-per-view event will take place on December 9th. The Hard To Kill 2024 pay-per-view event will take place in January in Las Vegas, NV.

Finally, it was added that no talent releases are coming as a result of the schedule changes. The company will go back to using its full roster again in 2024.

Source: eWn

Jerry Lawler Returns To WWE During A Commercial Break On RAW

Jerry Lawler made his return to WWE during a commercial break on this week’s episode of WWE RAW.

The WWE Hall of Famer, who suffered a stroke back in February, came out to wave to the crowd in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

WWE RAW Preview 8/28/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the FedExForum in Memphis, TN.

  • Falls Count Anywhere Match: Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark
  • Chad Gable vs Ludwig Kaiser
  • Tommaso Ciampa vs Bronson Reed
  • The New Day vs. Viking Raiders

EC3 Wins NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title, Forces Tyrus Into Retirement

EC3 enjoys working in NWA and he has more reason to love the promotion after he defeated Tyrus to win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. 

The bullrope match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship was the main event of night 2 of the NWA 75th Anniversary Show on Sunday, where EC3 began his first reign with the title after Tyrus tapped out. EC3’s win also meant that his opponent, Tyrus, had to retire from NWA, which was the stipulation heading into the match. 

Tyrus had held the title since last November’s Hard Times 3 show, where he had defeated Matt Cardona and then champion Trevor Murdoch to become the heavyweight champion.

The former WWE star, who has made a few controversial statements in the past, was recently in the news for the wrong reasons when he advocated assaulting children if they used their preferred pronouns.

There was another major title change at NWA 75 as Kenzie Paige became the NWA World Women’s Championship after defeating Kamille, which was also on night 2 of the show. Kamille had successfully defended her title on Saturday against Natalia Markova, but her 800+ day reign as champion ended at the hands of Paige. 

Paige, though, lost the NWA World Women’s Television Championship on Saturday night to Max the Impaler, while Blunt Force Trauma won the NWA World Tag Team Championship on night 1 after defeating La Rebelión on night 1 and retaining it on night 2, winning their match against Trevor Murdoch and Mike Knox.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Reportedly Escorted To His Locker Room By Security Following AEW All In Match, Jack Perry Was Ordered To Leave

Before CM Punk’s match against Samoa Joe at the All In pay-per-view, Punk and Jack Perry got into an altercation. According to the latest reports, there was allegedly shoving between the two, and Punk had either punched or tried to choke out Perry. The newest episode of the “Wrestling Observer Radio” podcast has given more insight into what happened to Punk after he defeated Joe and went backstage.

“He [CM Punk] goes to the backstage area and immediately there is security there and security escorts CM Punk back to his dressing room,” said Bryan Alvarez. “Jack Perry was then told to leave and he was removed from the building [Wembley Stadium]. CM Punk stayed in his dressing room with security, for I’m not sure how long, but eventually security came and removed him from the building.”

According to a report from Pwinsider, Jack Perry was told to leave the AEW All In 2023 pay-per-view event following his backstage altercation with CM Punk.

CM Punk has remained backstage at the show. Perry was escorted out of Wembley Stadium by security.

Additionally, it is believed that Perry struck first in the altercation and instigated things. Multiple sources have now confirmed that Perry was “caught in a choke.”

During the post-media scrum, AEW CEO Tony Khan acknowledged the altercation and stated there was an ongoing investigation. However, Khan said he would not comment further on the matter.

Punk faced Samoa Joe in the opening match of the All In show, defeating the ROH World Television Champion, while Perry lost the FTW Championship to Hook.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

John Cena To Regularly Appear On SmackDown In September & October

WWE announced today that John Cena, who will return to Friday Night SmackDown this Friday, September 1 at The Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., will also appear on SmackDown for seven consecutive weeks starting Friday, September 15 at Ball Arena in Denver through the end of October.

Cena will appear on the following dates:

  • Friday, September 1 – Hershey, Pa. – The Giant Center
  • Friday, September 15 – Denver – Ball Arena
  • Friday, September 22 – Glendale, Ariz. – Desert Diamond Arena
  • Friday, September 29 – Sacramento, Calif. – Golden 1 Center
  • Friday, October 6 – St. Louis – Enterprise Center
  • Friday, October 13 – Tulsa, Okla. – BOK Center
  • Friday, October 20 – San Antonio – AT&T Center
  • Friday, October 27 – Milwaukee – Fiserv Forum

Each night, Cena, in partnership with Make-A-Wish, will host children and their families in each city to experience a WWE event in-person.

As previously announced, Cena will appear at the WWE Superstar Spectacle at GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in India on Friday, September 8.

Source: eWn

Impact Wrestling Emergence 8/27/2023 (Results)

Countdown to Emergence:

Mike Bailey def. Alan Angels

JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) def The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)

Emergence:

Emergence begins with a Ten-Bell Salute in honor of Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda.

No DQ Match:
Eric Young def Deaner w/ Kon

After being attacked backstage earlier today, Taylor Wilde is not cleared to compete in the 4-way Knockouts World Tag Team Title match. Director of Authority Santino Marella makes the announcement that Jody Threat will team with KiLynn King instead.

Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match:
MK Ultra (c) def.. Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, Death Dollz and KiLynn King & Jody Threat

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) def. Johnny Swinger

After the match, King and Jean continue the attack on Swinger until it’s broken up by referees, security and Tommy Dreamer. King superkicks Dreamer and the fight is on once again.

Impact World Tag Team Championship Match:
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) def. SUBCULTURE (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (c) w/ Dani Luna – NEW IMPACT World Tag Team Champions

Back to School Match:
Eddie Edwards def. Frankie Kazarian

After the match, Alisha attacks Kazarian from behind with a kendo stick. Edwards calls Kazarian a disappointment before shattering a picture frame over his head.

IWGP World Champion SANADA def. Jake Something

After the match, SANADA and Jake Something shake hands in a tremendous show of respect.

Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush def Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin & KUSHIDA)

Jordynne Grace returns to IMPACT Wrestling at Victory Road streaming LIVE Friday, September 8th on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE.

Impact Knockouts Championship Match:
Trinity (c) def. Deonna Purrazzo – by Submission

After the match, Purrazzo congratulates Trinity on her hard-fought victory.

Will Ospreay returns to IMPACT Wrestling at the biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory, LIVE October 21st on pay-per-view.

Planned Captain Insano Match Was Canceled from AEW All In 2023

A six-man tag team that was discussed for the AEW All In 2023 PPV event has been called off.

According to Fightful Select, a six-man tag team match was discussed for AEW All In 2023, where Captain Insano and The Hardys would have faced Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, and Satnam Singh.

Fightful Select also reported the match was called off because Jeff Hardy faced travel restrictions preventing his entry into the UK, and there were also indications of potential complications for Satnam Singh’s participation.

Paul Wight, aka Big Show, previously played a new character Captain Insano, which was inspired from a character from the 1998 film “The Waterboy” featuring Adam Sandler. Wight played Captain Insano in The Acclaimed’s Hand for a Hand music video which aired on November 6, 2022 episode of Dynamite.

Wight has participated in a total of four matches within AEW and has maintained an undefeated record since joining the promotion. Paul Wight’s last match was against Austin Green on March 30, 2022, in AEW Dark Elevation taping episode where he successfully defeated Green in a one-on-one match.

Source: ITNWWE