Tag: AEW

Backstage News On Jonathan Gresham Requesting ROH/AEW Release

The former Ring of Honor World Champion Jonathan Gresham is seeking to be immediately released from his AEW/ROH contract, according to a new report from “Fightful.” It’s explained that Gresham asked for his release Saturday ahead of the ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view and his ROH World Title defense against Claudio Castagnoli — a bout he ultimately lost.

The report cites “a lack of communication between the company and Gresham leading up to the weekend,” inspiring the technical wrestling specialist to feel “disrespected.” The lack of time given to the World Title match during last night’s show was also a noted “tipping point.”

Gresham reportedly met with Tony before the show began and got heated enough to the point that he was “cussing out” the AEW/ROH President. “Fightful” notes that several people backstage have corroborated this story after what occurred between the two. Gresham has since responded to inquiries about the ordeal and claimed he is “done with wrestling for the foreseeable future after this month.” Part of the reason Gresham came out in his regular entrance attire last night was that he was unsure if that would be his final match before hanging up the boots. Tony Khan has yet to comment, and it remains unclear if Gresham has been granted his requested release from ROH and AEW.

After a successful career in the former ROH, Gresham made his AEW in-ring debut when he competed at their Battle of the Belts II against the flamboyant Dalton Castle. Gresham managed to hold on to his ROH World Title on that occasion when he defeated Castle by submission. His first time working with Tony Khan was at the ROH SuperCard of Honor XV this past April, the first ROH show following Tony Khan’s acquisition of the company.

UPDATE

According to Fightful, Gresham met with Khan before the pay-per-view and was already more heated than usual regarding the direction of his booking and character, but while their dialogue had been expected to stay private, details couldn’t help but spill into the locker room as the conversation increased in volume, with even the building’s security being able to hear it. Fightful’s previous report had stated that Gresham ‘cussed out’ Khan.

Gresham reportedly had contacts within AEW in the form of QT Marshall and Sonjay Dutt had also been a contact for him from within the company. Despite that, Gresham was frustrated with the creative direction of his character — specifically, he had been against the idea of turning heel, and more broadly, he “a vision for his creative direction” that Khan did not share. Gresham had apparently been told that creative changes had to go through Khan, but he was unable to meet with Khan until just a few hours before the event on Saturday. The finish of Gresham’s match with Claudio Castagnoli, which saw him lose the ROH World Championship, is believed to have been hinted to him, but it’s unclear whether he knew before the day of the show itself. Fightful claims that the typical creative process involves talent speaking to AEW coaches, as well as Marshall, Christopher Daniels, Marshall, and Pat Buck, who then act as intermediaries between the talent and Khan. The report also notes that while Khan does try to speak directly to talent, that practice has declined “due to the changing of the world and travel in general.”

The general lack of communication within AEW is not a new complaint, as former talent like Joey Janela, Marko Stunt, and Chavo Guerrero have discussed similar issues in the past. It remains to be seen whether Gresham will have his release granted, as neither Khan nor the company have made an official comment.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bryan Danielson’s Return To In-Ring Action This Week On AEW Dynamite

One of AEW’s top stars is making his way back to competition after being sidelined due to reported concussion issues. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson announced during AEW’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con that he is officially cleared to return to the ring and will be facing Daniel Garcia of The Jericho Appreciation Society on this Wednesday’s Fight for the Fallen edition of “Dynamite.”

Danielson hasn’t wrestled since the Anarchy in the Arena match that took place at the AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view this past May. The reported concussion issues that caused him to take time away from competition have been an ongoing battle throughout his career and were the main reason he announced his retirement in 2016 after multiple concussions led to seizures and a brain lesion. Danielson would later reveal that not only were the health scares responsible for his retirement announcement, but he also had lied to WWE about part of the findings from his doctor visits. The multi-time WWE Champion would make a triumphant return in 2018 and gives us several new memorable characters like the “New” Daniel Bryan, that emphasized environmental issues while deeming the WWE Universe “fickle,” and his more rough, rugged persona since arriving in All Elite Wrestling.

Said injuries would cause Danielson to miss out on the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, where he was initially scheduled to face Zack Sabre Jr. one-on-one. He would subsequentially miss the big Blood & Guts match in the same week, forcing Tony Khan to bring the substitute, Claudio Castagnoli, to AEW television earlier than he originally anticipated. Tony noted he didn’t want Danielson back in action until he was “feeling 100% at 100% of the time”, which was the cause for several missed shows.

Bryan was previously entangled in budding feuds with Eddie Kingston and Chris Jericho. It will be interesting to see if that is the same path Tony Khan puts him on upon returning, which one could assume is the case, as his first match back is against a member of the JAS.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Rampage “Fyter Fest” Week 2 Preview 7/22/22

AEW taped the 7/22 episode of “AEW Rampage: Fyter Fest Week 2” from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

The following lineup has been announced for Friday’s show:

* Adam Page & John Silver vs. The Butcher and The Blade

* Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Lethal

* Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter in tag action

* Lee Moriarty vs. Dante Martin

* Max Caster and Austin Gunn compete in a rap battle

We may learn about new matches for Death Before Dishonor during tonight’s “Rampage”. ROH owner Tony Khan stated during his media call on Thursday that not all of the matches for the card have been announced yet.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549952312226942977
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549954063885733888

Chris Jericho Confirms He Broke His Nose During Barbed Wire Everywhere Match

Chris Jericho has confirmed that he suffered a legitimate injury during the Barbed Wire Everywhere match on Dynamite this week.

In a match full of crazy and dangerous spots involving barbed wire, tables, and chairs, it was a seemingly innocent move that might have dealt one of the wrestlers in the match the most painful blow. Chris Jericho has confirmed on social media that he suffered a broken nose during the main event of Wednesday’s Dynamite, Fyter Fest Week Two.

Jericho and Eddie Kingston fought in a match that featured barbed wire wrapped around almost everything close to the ring. But, it was a Codebreaker and a chair that fell awkwardly that got him. Jericho went to deliver the move to Kingston while Kingston was going for a chair shot. As the two were falling to the mat, the chair came down with it and the leg hit Jericho across the bridge of the nose, breaking it. On Thursday night, Jericho said via Twitter, “Just left the doctor’s office. It’s official….that SAVAGE @MadKing1981 broke my nose last night. #barbwireeverywhere @AEW”

https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/1550250415756873728

In the tweet, there is a video showing multiple angles of the moment when Jericho was injured. He immediately turns away and when his face is shown again to the camera, it’s clear he busted his nose. He continued on with the match, eventually winning thanks to help from the Jericho Appreciation Society. Ultimately, Kingston put him through a barbed wire stage and Jericho was stretchered out of the arena.

A broken nose wasn’t about to stop Jericho from finishing the match. There were a number of spots to get through and while the match hasn’t been well received by all, it was clear both Kingston and Jericho were willing to put themselves through a lot of pain in order to entertain the fans. Jericho toughed it out for the sake of finishing the bout. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last something goes wrong in a match and The Sports Entertainer has to battle through.

It doesn’t appear he’ll miss any time.

Source: TheSportster

AEW Dynamite “Fyter Fest” Week 2 Preview 7/20/22

Week 2 of Fyter Fest kicks off tonight on AEW “Dynamite” from Duluth, GA

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • Barbed Wire Everywhere Death Match: Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston
  • Brody King vs. Darby Allin
  • AEW Interim World Champion Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta vs. Best Friends
  • Christian Cage & Luchasaurus vs. Varsity Blonds
  • TBS Champion Jade Cargill, Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey vs. Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale & Athena
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1549725812370288640

Kenny Omega Reportedly Close to In-Ring Return For AEW

Reports are making the rounds that Kenny Omega’s in-ring return might be around the corner for AEW. When is he scheduled to perform?

Good news for fans of AEW, as it appears Kenny Omega might be close to making his return to television and ready to step back into the ring. After missing multiple months nursing an injury, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer recently reported that an Omega return could be right around the corner.

During a recent post, Meltzer explains that the Young Bucks vs. FTR III match that was scheduled is now being held off because a major angle planned has yet to take place is in the works. That rumored angle involves Omega and Fightful Select is corroborating that report that, in fact, Omega is involved. They’ve added that the tentative plan going around to certain staff members is that Omega and the Young Bucks are slated for a six-man tag program for September’s All Out PPV.

It was not reported who their opponents would be, but that’s not the big story here. That Omega is being booked for a match in September suggests he’ll be back before then, which is great news for the company. Injuries have decimated them and it will be great to have some of their bigger names (Omega among them) return.

It is being reported that the rumored September match has yet to be confirmed, thus things can change.

Kenny Omega hasn’t been on AEW programming since November when he lost his AEW World Championship to Hangman Page. Speculation was that Omega was thinking about pushing up his return to be part of the Forbidden Door show but didn’t want to rush things and risk further injury. It was probably a smart decision as that event is being talked about as one that would become a yearly thing and Omega will be part of future productions.

A healthy Omega in AEW is a better AEW. His return will be a welcome sight for fans.

Source: TheSportster

AEW Rampage Fyter Fest Week 1 Preview 7/15/22

The Ring of Honor World Championship will be on the line on tonight’s episode of “AEW Rampage” Fyter Fest Week 1.

Champion Jonathan Gresham will defend his title against Lee Moriarty. Gresham and Moriarty were partners in a tag team match against Tully Blanchard’s Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Kaun) on last Friday’s “Rampage”. However, Gresham abandoned Moriarty during the match, revealing he had joined the Tully Blanchard Enterprises faction.

Ring of Honor’s next pay-per-view Death Before Dish0nor is just over one week away. As of Friday morning, a title challenger for Gresham on that show has yet to be announced. Gresham has held the title for more than 200 days and has defended it in a number of promotions, including Impact Wrestling. Gresham also had a successful title defense against Dalton Castle on AEW’s Battle of the Belts II special back in April.

The following lineup is announced for tonight’s “Rampage”:

  • Ring of Honor World Championship Match: Lee Moriarty vs. Jonathan Gresham (c)
  • Lucha Brothers vs. Private Party
  • Malakai Black & Brody King vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver
  • Kris Statlander & Athena vs. Charlette Renegade & Robyn Renegade
  • We hear from Gunn Club

Update On Adam Cole’s Injury

AEW star Adam Cole has reportedly opted not to have surgery to fix his torn labrum.

According to Dave to Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cole has decided to undergo physical therapy on his shoulder as opposed to going under the knife.

The timeframe for Cole’s in-ring return will be determined more by his recovery from the concussion he suffered at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in June. On a positive note, Cole is “faring better in that regard,” per Meltzer.

Cole reportedly suffered “a very serious concussion” during his Four-Way Match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title at the AEW x NJPW crossover event. The concussion led to a “rushed and awkward finish” to the match as Jay White pinned the leader of the Undisputed Elite to retain his title.

In the lead-up to the Forbidden Door event, there were question marks about Cole’s availability after a Fightful Select report revealed he had been wrestling with a torn labrum for months. The report added that Cole braved the injury during his match against Hangman Page at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view in March, and continued to avoid taking time off despite being hurt. It was also noted that Cole had been “banged up for quite a while” and was “battling a series of injuries” for longer than most realize.

In a recent interview with New York Post, AEW President Tony Khan explained why he allowed Cole to wrestle at Forbidden Door despite the litany of injuries.

“He had no contact between Double or Nothing and Forbidden Door,” Khan said. “He was on commentary. He had been cleared to wrestle. So now, I’m also gonna take some time [off] for him. We had already taken some time and I’ll take some more time to make sure he’s right and wouldn’t want him to wrestle until he’s feeling 100 percent. He was feeling 100 percent going into Forbidden Door. That’s how unpredictable these [injuries] are.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Swerve In Our Glory’s AEW Tag Title Win Might Be Invalid

Swerve may have pinned the wrong man to end the match.

This year’s Fyter Fest kicked off on Dynamite this week. What was once a one-night event is now a two week affair that will be spread across four shows. Two episodes of Dynamite and two episodes of Rampage. Show number one came to a close with what was a terrific triple threat tag team match, and the crowning of new AEW Tag Team Champions.

Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, who currently go by the team name Swerve In Our Glory, won the match, becoming champions in the process. However, a very close analysis courtesy of Wrestling Inc. has revealed the pinfall that resulted in a title change probably shouldn’t have counted. While Swerve was the legal man, the person who he pinned, Team Taz’s Ricky Starks, was not the other one.

There are two different rule sets used in three-way tag matches. Either one member of each team is legal at the same time, or only two people can be legal at once and you may need to tag an opponent to get into the match. The latter ruleset was in play for the title match on Dynamite. At the 4:15 mark in the video below, Swerve and Matt Jackson tag into the match, making them the legal competitors.

It’s almost exactly four minutes later where things start to get confusing. Powerhouse Hobbs tags Ricky Starks into the match. However, Hobbs wasn’t the legal man. Neither Swerve nor Matt Jackson had tagged out. That’s the last time anyone is tagged in the match, and it comes to an end with Swerve pinning Starks to win the match. If the video and analysis above is to be believed, Swerve didn’t pin the other legal man, so he and Lee shouldn’t have won the Tag Team Titles.

What remains unclear at this point is whether this was an accident, or whether AEW intended there to be ambiguity surrounding the title switch. If it was accidental, and news that Swerve didn’t appear to pin the right person to end the match becomes a big enough deal, AEW may well be forced to do something about it. If an ambiguous finish was the intention, then it will likely be addressed on Dynamite next week.

Source: TheSportster with credit to Wrestling Inc.

Keith Lee Cuts Impassioned Promo Following AEW Tag Title Win At Fyter Fest

Keith Lee addressed the fans when this week’s Fyter Fest edition of AEW Dynamite went off the air.

Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland were crowned AEW World Tag Team Champions during the climax of this week’s special Fyter Fest of AEW Dynamite … but the cameras didn’t stop rolling when the show went off the air.

It all went down at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, July. Lee & Strickland defeated Powerhouse Hobbs & Ricky Starks and the defending champs The Young Bucks in a thrilling main event to capture their first accolades as members of AEW’s roster. Swerve In Our Glory celebrated as the show went off the air, but the party didn’t stop there.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1547414497844928512

Between the climax of Dynamite and the beginning of the Rampage taping, Keith Lee got on the mic and delivered an impassioned speech in which he dedicated the momentous occasion to two of his close friends.

“My friend, his name is Lucilius King. I’ve known him since 1998. I found out a little while ago that he may have cancer,” Lee said, before referencing his own near-death experience. As you might recall, Lee took a seven-month hiatus from WWE in 2021 due to his Covid-related health issues. “As most of you know, last year, I nearly died. I didn’t say a word until the threat was gone and passed. There isn’t much you can do to me to rattle me against me,” Lee sad in his post-Dynamite promo. Lee added that he was also dedicating his win to another friend, JD Griffey.

“The fact is, I didn’t care if we won or lost. The fact is this is a brotherhood, and I’m devoting my everything to that,” he said. “So Lucilius King, this is more than just a victory for me, this is more than just a victory for our story.”

Lee became one of the hottest free agents in the world when he was released by WWE on November 4, though he wasn’t able to sign elsewhere until the 90-day non-compete clause in his contract had expired. In case you missed it, Lee appeared on an AEW show for the very first time on the February 9 edition of Dynamite on TBS. It all went down at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Keith Lee was revealed as Isiah Kassidy’s mystery opponent in a Face Of The Revolution qualifying match just moments before the match began.

https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1547401604034355210

Source: TheSportster