The Elite Reportedly Voted To Decide Whether They’d Stay In AEW Or Join WWE

After a lengthy period of negotiations, it was announced yesterday that The Elite had signed new contracts with All Elite Wrestling, ensuring Tony Khan won’t have to think of another fitting adjective that starts with “E” — at least not for another few years.

On the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” journalist Dave Meltzer stated that all four members agreed they would stick together, leaving their destination up to a majority vote. Opinions, and votes, amongst the group reportedly changed over the course of negotiations, but all four eventually agreed to stay with AEW.

Additionally, Meltzer said he had heard about four-year deals being signed by all four, but neither he nor co-host Bryan Alvarez could confirm that number. The nature of AEW’s schedule, as opposed to the more grueling schedule of WWE, was reportedly the critical factor for the four men in their decision to stay. While he wasn’t sure of the exact day the contracts were signed, Meltzer believes the deals were put together several weeks ago.

Following the announcement of their new contracts, all four members of The Elite appeared on “AEW Dynamite” last night. Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks faced Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, and Satnam Singh in a trios match. Following the match, “Hangman” Adam Page, along with Matt and Jeff Hardy, came to the aid of Omega and the Jackson brothers.

With less than four weeks until AEW All In at Wembley Stadium, possible match-ups for the members of The Elite are still up in the air. The group recently concluded a lengthy feud against the Blackpool Combat Club, and last night’s episode didn’t quite seem to set up what’s next for the faction. However, it was teased that fans can expect to see The Elite on “AEW Collision” soon in addition to “Dynamite.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rob Van Dam Makes AEW Debut On Dynamite

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has arrived in All Elite Wrestling.

During Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, the ECW legend came out to confront Jack Perry during the latter’s face-off with Jerry Lynn.

While Lynn said there was no way he would be able to be cleared to face Perry, he brought out his old friend in “The Whole F’n Show” Rob Van Dam.

Perry wound up retreating through the crowd as Lynn and RVD hugged.

Later in a backstage interview segment RVD issued a challenge to Perry for a FTW Title match.

It was announced that next week on Dynamite, RVD will face Perry for the FTW title in a FTW Rules Match.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1686896617264214016
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1686897004159344641

AEW Dynamite 200 Preview 8/2/2023

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite, live on TBS is the 200th episode. The show will take place from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.

  • AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Hikaru Shida
  • ROH Tag Team Championship: Aussie Open (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander
  • Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
  • Jack Perry face-to-face with Jerry Lynn
  • Jon Moxley vs. Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Trent Beretta in an anything goes match
  • AEW World Heavyweight Champion MJF to speak
  • Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh
  • Matches will be announced for All In

Vince McMahon Served Search Warrant & Federal Grand Jury Subpoena

As revealed in the latest WWE quarterly earnings report, WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon was served with a search warrant and federal grand jury subpoena on July 17. Asked about the warrant and subpoena on a media call covering the earnings report, WWE CEO Nick Khan declined to comment on specifics but stated that they were cooperating with the investigation (via Twitter). McMahon underwent major spinal surgery two weeks back, likely within days of being served with the subpoena.

While the specific details of the warrant and subpoena remain a mystery, it’s known that McMahon has been under investigation for allegedly paying off a number of women in an attempt to keep them quiet regarding sexual misconduct. As of now, no charges have been filed against McMahon.

Elsewhere in the report, WWE confirmed that the independent investigation into McMahon has concluded. However, it states the company could receive further “regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas, [and] demands” pending outside investigations, referring to the current federal inquiry.

Just over a year ago, McMahon stepped down as WWE CEO as allegations emerged accusing him of sexual misconduct. McMahon remained the controlling majority shareholder, and reinstated himself as Executive Chairman of the company’s board in January of this year. Additionally, while McMahon’s son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, reportedly remains in control as head of creative, there have been various reports that McMahon has had a growing influence on TV programming.

WWE is in the midst of a merger with UFC, where it will join the MMA promotion under the Endeavour corporate umbrella. Up to this point, McMahon has had the support of Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel throughout the merger process.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Confirms Vince McMahon’s Recent Spinal Surgery

As previously reported, Vince McMahon underwent major spinal surgery last month.

WWE reported second quarter 2023 financial results on Wednesday. In company filings, WWE confirmed McMahon did undergo surgery.

The filing noted, “On July 21, 2023, Mr. McMahon went on medical leave after undergoing major spinal surgery. Mr. McMahon will remain on medical leave until further notice but will remain Executive Chairman of the Company.”

McMahon walked away from WWE last summer as WWE CEO and Chairman amid the sexual misconduct and hush money allegations that were being investigated at the time. He eventually returned in January and later signed off on the Endeavor Group acquiring WWE to merge the promotion into a new company with the UFC later this year.

Source: eWn

The Elite Sign New Multi-Year Deals With AEW

Sports Illustrated reported today that The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Hangman Page) have each signed new multi-year deals with the company.

The article added Omega and the Bucks will also continue in their roles as Executive Vice Presidents.

Their deals were slated to expire at the end of this year and reportedly had interest from WWE.

“I’m excited to share that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Hangman Adam Page will all be staying in AEW for years to come,” AEW owner Tony Khan said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating the great news with fans around the world.”

Tony Khan confirmed that the new deals with The Elite were inked before tonight’s 200th episode of “AEW Dynamite,”

Here are the statements made by Omega and The Young Bucks:

Kenny Omega: “Our original goal was to create a wrestling alternative and give a platform to talented people that we’d all felt deserved a spotlight,” he said. “I feel like we did our best in that time, and hopefully some people you’d never heard of pre-AEW are folks you enjoy watching today. Or if you knew them from their previous work elsewhere, have maybe found a new appreciation for them. That feeling, combined with the feeling of knowing they can provide for themselves and their family doing what they love, was always the biggest reward of being an EVP/founder. Pro wrestling has a presence almost everywhere on the planet,” he continued. “In my pursuit to become as complete of a performer as possible, my goal was always to experience the styles of the world at their highest level. I believe that with AEW’s current working relationships, and possibly future, I can challenge all forms of pro wrestling and diversify my style so that I’m equipped for any scenario I may encounter in the ring. I was careful to weigh out all options and was open minded to all possibilities,” said Omega. “I’m here to help whomever I can while I’m still around. Up to this point, I’ve made the choice to sacrifice everything in the name of pro wrestling. I can’t say that family or my kids influenced the decision to stay with AEW–I’m not married and without kids–but what I can say is that I’m incredibly proud of my match catalog and the wonderful people I’ve met and continue to meet. AEW not only allows me to continue doing what I do at a high level, but allows the freedom to pursue some other passions I have in life–which, after nearly 25 years in the ring, have become more and more important to me.”

Matt Jackson: “We’re literally the ‘E’ in AEW,” he said. “The Elite are the main characters of this company. No matter how different AEW is now from its original inception, we are the DNA. And if you lose the foundation of your home, it eventually collapses. It’d be a lie if I said that didn’t weigh on us, when making the decision. In my older years of my career, being closer to the end than I am the beginning, I’m not really one who worries much about my legacy anymore,” he continued. “I’ve kind of noticed, like a summer tan, most memories fade. Or, they’re remembered differently or told with errors anyway. Oftentimes the memory is almost instantly forgotten, because you hit the refresh button. As far as my own personal stories, I’ll have enough to retell my grandchildren for a lifetime. And much of those stories can be about how I helped create a massively successful wrestling company where all of your favorites can be seen on live television every week.”

Nick Jackson: “If we’re going to be honest the schedule was a huge part of it,” he said. “I have a wife and three young children and seeing them as much as possible was a big factor. I’m not going to lie, the money was a huge factor, too. At this point of my life and career, I just couldn’t see myself being on the road half of the year or even more than that. I have so much respect for the guys and girls that are able to do that year after year. We for sure could’ve made memories in WWE, but what’s more important to me is making memories with my family. With the position we’re in, I’ll be able to do that and still make memories in AEW.”

WWE NXT Preview 8/1/2023

WWE NXT tonight from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network: 

  • Fallout from The Great American Bash
  • Schism Interrogation
  • Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz vs. Lola Vice & Elektra Lopez

The Latest Update On Rey Mysterio’s Injury

This past Friday night on WWE SmackDown, Rey Mysterio battled Santos Escobar in the United States Title Invitational Finals. 

This bout ended earlier than expected as it seemed Mysterio was injured after being hit with an outside dive by Escobar during the commercial break, leading to WWE’s medical staff checking on Rey. The referee called off the match, and Escobar was declared the winner. After the match, Mysterio congratulated Escobar on the win.

Dave Meltzer noted on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio that Mysterio was knocked silly twice in the match. Once it happened for a second time, the decision was made to call off the bout.

Meltzer added there’s still no word yet on how long Mysterio will be kept out of the ring.

Source: eWn

Wrestling World Reacts To Death Of Paul Reubens, Pee-Wee Herman Actor

Paul Reubens has died at the age of 70 following a long battle with cancer. The actor, who was arguably best known for portraying the iconic Pee-wee Herman character since 1977, appeared in many movies and TV shows throughout his illustrious career. However, he was also a familiar face in the wrestling world thanks to his WWE cameos. He appeared as Herman at WWE WrestleMania 27 and served as “Raw’s” guest GM for a night back in 2010. Reubens also had many friends and fans in the wrestling industry, and some of them have paid their respects to him on social media.

AEW stars Danhausen and RJ City were quick to show pay respects to the late actor. Both of them also noted the influence that he had on their respective careers as entertainers. Danhausen credited a Pee-wee Herman segment for taking his own career to the next level, while City credited Reubens for his friendship and mentorship.

AEW’s Nyla Rose also took to social media to praise Reubens. In her tweet, she shared a gif of Herman riding a bicycle and referenced the “secret word” segments from “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” 

WWE announcer Corey Graves shared a heartfelt story about his experiences with Reubens. Like many, he grew up a fan of the performer’s work, but he eventually had the honor and pleasure of calling the actor a friend. Adam “Edge” Copeland had similar experiences with Reubens, and he opened up about them on his own social media after the news of his death came to light.

ROH and AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni was also a big fan of Reubens. So much so that he even shared a photo of him impersonating the entertainer during his childhood years, revealing that he idolized him back then. 

https://twitter.com/IanRiccaboni/status/1686064132091711488

Bully Ray posted on Twitter/X – “Absolutely Amazing. RIP Mr. Paul Reubens and thanks for giving us Pee Wee.”

More tributes for Reubens will undoubtedly continue to pour in.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Welsh Wrestling Legend Adrian Street Passed Away

Welsh professional wrestler Adrian Street has died at the age of 82, according to a report from BBC. Street, who was the subject of multiple documentaries focused on his life and career (including a WWE Network special), recently suffered a stroke. According to Street’s wife and former wrestling manager, known professionally as Miss Linda, complications associated with that stroke are believed to have caused his death.

Street began his professional wrestling career in August 1957 (via Wrestling Heritage). With his final match taking place in November 2010, Street’s in-ring career lasted for more than 53 years. In that time, Street was a six-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion and a Mid-South Television Champion.

Prior to his move to North America in the early 1980s, Street honed his craft in the United Kingdom wrestling scene, developing a flamboyant character that took inspiration from “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and “Gorgeous” George. With his persona, Street helped pave the way for characters such as Goldust to find a place in professional wrestling. In fact, with his popularity in England, Street is believed to have played a role in popularizing the “glam rock” look that rose over the course of the 1970s.

In addition to his work inside the ring, Street was an author, actor, musician, trainer, and costume-maker, alongside his wife. The two resided in Florida for a long time, but returned home to Wales in the last several years. Last year, Street and his wife were both present at WWE’s Clash at the Castle event in Cardiff, Wales.

A picture of Street, dressed in his wrestling costume while standing beside his father in his miner’s clothes, is viewed by many as the “most important post-war picture ever taken” in the United Kingdom. The picture is said to represent the nation’s shift from industry to entertainment.

Source: Wrestling Inc.